Partition with Linux

If you used FDISK and selected the option 'Delete non-DOS partition', you did the right thing. Especially if subsequently the option 'View partitions' showed no partitions.

When you install XP Professional, you also have the option to delete any existing partitions and to make sure all of the 40GB is available for XP. You should select to format the hard drive in NTFS, to make sure XP does not use FAT32.

Thanks for quick response, yes well I think I did all that, as that is my usual routine. I am wondering if problem with hard drive could be related to my other question
Pc troubleshooting, "XP Pro SPK2". As I had problems with new hard drive not shutting down in same system.

Also don't use the [b]Quick Format Option[/b] as it doesn't do as good a job at removing any data that remains on the drive.

But if you have just reinstalled XP back into its original Partition the Linux should have no impact on the function of XP as they run on different Partition types. The only possibility here is that you have bypassed the Boot Loader and are starting all the OS's at the same time but if that was the case I don't think that you would get XP to even run.

You can remove all the Partitions with FDISK by selecting the Non Dos Partitions this will remove any NTFS and NFS Partitions and you'll need to use the Delete Dos Partitions for any Fat 16/32 Partitions.

I always run a wiping utility over the HDD to make sure that everything is removed on a clean install this writes 0 to every sector and then proceed to load up the computer.

You didn't mention if you where trying to maintain the 3 different partitions or just create one 40 GIG partition with XP on it if the latter is the case wipe the HDD and then install XP it should then work properly if the hardware is OK. If it doesn't download the HDD makers testing utility and test the drive just to make sure it isn't going faulty.

If all else fails download the Ultimate Boot CD from

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/download.html

Make a CD from this ISO image and boot from the CD and perform the different diagnostics to make sure that the hardware is actually working correctly.

Col