unable to delete partition while installing win 2K

[sacbldr]

I am re-installing windows 2000 so I can give my old computer to my daughter.  I want the c drive to be clean.  I have booted the cd and am at the screen asking what partition to install the program on.  I am unable to delete the existing partition.  I hit the D key and nothing happens.  Please help!

[Allan]

If you only have the one partition, just format it before installing.

[sacbldr]

There are two partitions - one about 19,000 MB with the current operating system and the other about 16 MB.  I try to delete the large one and nothing happens.  Also, now when I reboot without the CD in the drive the windows setup screen comes up every time and I have to choose the existing operating system for the computer to reboot.  Why would the setup screen still come up if there is nothing in the CD drive?

Regarding your answer, I am not sure how to reformat the existing partition.  I am sure I can find out how on this site however.  Thanks for the help.

[patio]

How are you trying to delete/recreate this partition and is this OS CD a Sharpie version ? ?
Sure sounds like one...

[sacbldr]

I don't know what Sharpie version means.  I think it is a legit cd.  I booted it and entered the key code, etc.  Now the computer boots to the screen where I have to choose between the setup version or the one already on the computer, even when the cd is not in the drive.  This is aggravating because if I'm not paying close attention, it automatically boots to the setup and I have to quit and start over.  Anyway, when I try the setup it gives me the option of deleting a partition or installing.  The only partition big enough for the new install is the one currently with os.  If I choose to install on this one it tells me there may be a problem with both os's on one partition, so I try to delete the partition by pressing the D key and nothing happens.
If I could just wipe the hard drive clean and then install I would do that.  Unfortunately I can't figure out how to do this either.  This whole process may be too difficult for a novice like me.  Any ideas?  Thanks!

[Computer_Commando]

There are two partitions - one about 19,000 MB with the current operating system and the other about 16 MB....

Is this a Dell or HP? It probably wants to do a restore from the Restore Partition.
http://www.goodells.net/dellrestore/index.htm

[sacbldr]

The system was built for me about 10 years ago, originally with Windows 98.  I installed or had installed Windows 2000 at some point.

[Allan]

Download a Win98 boot disc and boot to that. Format.

[sacbldr]

If I do that and format the c drive, then what can I expect when I put the windows 2000 disc in?

[Allan]

The installation routine should run fine.

[sacbldr]

Thanks very much!  I can go on line and download 98?  Is it free?

[patio]

The bootdisk is Free...
Bootdisk.com

[sacbldr]

Thanks!
I checked out bootdisk.com and it appears it is Microsoft site.  I assume it is OK to download from this site.  I am wondering why I should download Win98 and not Win2K boot disk, although 98 looks simpler.  Also, there are several versions of 98 available.  Does it matter which one I choose? 
As you can see, I really don't know what technically is happening when I do this.  As I understand it, once I install this boot disk and format my drive, it will be a clean drive.  Then I will be able to boot to the Windows 2000 installation disk, select a clean partition, and install the os.  Is this correct?
Thanks again!

[patio]

Legit site...

Win98SE w/CDRom support...

Yes it will boot to the Win2K CD after the format...providing the CD is legit and not a copy.

[patio]

PS  When you boot to the Win98 floppy the command is format C: /u and hit Enter.

When it finishes type in sys C: and hit Enter.

[sacbldr]

Muchas Gracias!!

[patio]

No problemo...

[sacbldr]

Well, I knew it wasn't going to be that easy.
Windows 98 ES ......OEM or Custom without Ramdrive?
Do I need Mirror 1 or Mirror 2?
By disk do they mean a floppy disk?
Copied the OEM version to a CD and inserted it into the computer.  Nothing happened.  Properties said it was "read only".  Tried to open the CD drive and it asked me to insert another CD to write to.
I went to a DOS prompt and typed in c: /u and nothing happened.

I am clearly overmatched here.  I am wondering now if this is really necessary.  The computer works OK.  It just has a bunch of programs, hotfixes, etc.  I wanted to give a clean computer to my daughter's family.

Thanks for your efforts and comments.