I partitioned h. drive 80 Gb on two partitions. One is for OS and applications (10 Gb) and other (the rest) for everything. I want to format 1st partition w/out damaging other because, I guess, it cougth a virus. How can I do this?

Thank you.

The exact process is dependent on the OS you're trying to install but generally when you install an OS you can choose which partition to format for the OS. Under Windows XP when you boot from the CD and the install identified the HD and is about to install you'll be given an option which partition to use and to format. Say you have C: and D: as your partitions then install XP on C: and choosing to format C: will not harm your D:

Having said that... you should backup your data just in case as a precaution before you do any formatting.

After selecting My Computer... right click on the drive and select format.. wouldn't it be easier to virus scan that particular drive or spyware scan then to format?.

Formatting should be your LAST option when all else fails... good lucki

Firstly, I second the backup suggestion, this always makes working on computers less stressful!

I agree that formatting is the last resort, however if you are at this stage:

If you are trying to format the partition that your operating system is on (C:), it won't let you do that (it's anti suicide you see) If you have your XP CD (assuming XP here) then boot from it, delete and re-create the 10 gig partition as part of the installation procedure. Make sure you have all the drivers and software you need before doing this though!

That smiley wasn't supposed to appear there :)

When I am entering & logging in the comuter is automatically logging off

Guidelines on How to Partition a Hard Drive (Create, Delete, Format and Resize Partition)?