Format option not showing up in Windows XP drive partition

[jake.o.poole]

I have a friend who is trying to wipe his Windows XP laptop, but needs to format his hard drive, and his partitions don't have the format option when he right clicks.

 

[COLGeek]

Boot the laptop using a live Linux distro and use the Disk Utility (often GParted) to remove the existing partitions.

If your friend intends to re-install Windows, you can format the drive during the installation process as well.

There is also the DBAN option... https/dban.org

 

[jake.o.poole]

I doubt he knows how to do any of that.

 

[COLGeek]

Your friend should be able to find a local high-school kid who could help, or take to a local Best Buy and let the Geek Squad charge him for something that Google can help with for free. This really is pretty easy.

Is this friend older or disabled? If so, there may be local resources that can assist as well.

 

[jake.o.poole]

No, he's just very computer illiterate. I'm pretty experienced and even I didn't know what you were talking about. I mean, we are both freshman in high school, and my high school tends to have computer illiterate people.

 

[COLGeek]

Why does your friend want to remove partitions? Lets start there.

BTW, there are guides like this to assist:

https/www.lifewire.com/how-to-erase-a-hard-drive-using-dban-2619148

 

[jake.o.poole]

Well, his parents bought a veterinarian's office, and they're trying to wipe their equipment so they can have it under their name and things like that.

 

[COLGeek]

Sounds like he is just going to re-install Windows. If that is the case, I wouldn't use XP for business use unless there is a compelling reason to keep XP. It is no longer being updated by Microsoft. Windows 7 or newer should be used.

During the installation process for Windows, you can remove existing partitions. Very simple process.

 

[jake.o.poole]

I don't really think they'd want to buy a windows 7 key, and he doesn't know how to install Windows. I only know how to install Windows 10 soo yeah.

 

[jake.o.poole]

Now he's saying that they want to wipe it because they want to try and sell it, but considering it isn't up to today's standards it won't be good to sell.

 

[COLGeek]

Use DBan per the most recent link provided to wipe it. Old laptops are often nearly worthless. Try selling on Ebay. Someone may buy for parts.

 

[jake.o.poole]

I mean, he could use the setup transfer via USB method, but this laptop has no WiFi support, and his house has no ethernet at all I don't think.

 

[COLGeek]

I mean, he could use the setup transfer via USB method, but this laptop has no WiFi support, and his house has no ethernet at all I don't think.

I assume you are referring to downloading Dban ISO to write to a USB drive. Yes, that is required.

Does he have a bootable DVD (or thumb drive) for any version of Windows? If so, what version?

 

[jake.o.poole]

He doesn't have a bootable DVD or USB drive of Windows.