format. want to do it right.

[JRO7563]

hi
i want to start again with a clean HD and reformat my 200 gig seagate barracuda but im not too sure how to go about a re format, can someone tell me how to do it right please ????? (step by step)
ive got xp pro with sp2 on there at the moment and will be reloading with xp pro and sp2.
i read in another thread the order of loading, OS, sp2, chipset driver, graphics etc, i downloaded sp2 to disc, should sp1 be there in the first place b4 loading sp2 or can i put it straight on ??????
i also understand that windows will only go upto 137 gig, will partition magic format the rest of the drive (at a later date as i dont have it)

thanks for any help

[directhex]

okay, is this definitely an RTM edition of windows (no service packs at all)?

if so, then i'd suggest reading up on slipstreaming (building a windows cd with service pack combined), as windows xp on its own can't work with hard disks bigger than 137gb - sp1 is needed to see the remaining space. there are plenty of threads on slipstreaming on this forum. sp2 contains sp1, so you just need sp2.

install the os (formatting from the installer), motherboard chipset driver, hit windows update for all it's worth, then install leftover drivers.