Clearing XP without reinstalling an OS

[Dzargul]

I recently purchased a newer laptop that does not contain an OS. I plan to install XP on it from the full install CD I already have. All my files have been transferred from my older laptop to CD, but I need to clear the OS from it as I'll be giving it away and I don't want my current copy of XP on it.

I have tried to create a bootable CD to create a dos shell so that I can simply format the C: drive, but the CD insists on booting, then simply loads XP from the C drive. Once this is completed I cannot format C: because it becomes the system drive.

Is there a way to create a bootable CD that will not automatically search the C: drive for the OS? I considered using a Win98SE boot disk, but the instructions I've found always call for a floppy drive, which I do not have. Thanks in advance!

 

[kimsland]

I'm not exactly sure what you mean

Just boot from the Xp CD
And when you get to the part that says press L to remove the partition(s) do that
Once the partition(s) have been removed, remove the Windows CD, and turn off the computer
All done. A computer that has nothing on the harddrive