Computer restarting, while trying to format hard drive.

[Lunachic]

I have two empty harddrives one pc and my windows xp disc plus the back up copy. No matter what i do the bloody thing keeps restarting as i am trying to format the partition to install windows. Sometimes i get a blue screen saying to disable bios memory options such as caching or shadowing. i can't get into the setup because it says enter current password which i don't know cos its 2nd hand. Help!

 

[Tedster]

BDOS are generally caused by:
1. bad drivers
2. bad ram
3. bad power supply

Read this months PCworld magazine. They tell of a program to crack BIOS password lockouts.

Try disconnecting the CMOS battery and the CMOS jumpers first. That might get you in. Then reconnect them after about 10 minutes.