I need help formatting with WinXP

[Akumu X]

Windows XP RC1 here...was in the process of upping to RC2, when suddenly though computer doesnt want to restart. (Some 0x00000000 unexpected illegal fatal error) So rather than putz around with XP i figured I'd head back to 2k (I like better) only problem being I couldn't get to a command promp. I found a way to get to a command prompt (put in "universal boot disk") after it fails to install Win 95 (ha!) due to a runtime error. It gives me an A: command prompt (yay!) in which i type every form of format i know...
a:\format c:/q
a:\format c:/
a:\format c:
a:\format c:/u

all give me the same...damn...answer...
"Cannot format a network drive"
what does this mean (asides from the ovbious)
I need to go buy a new HDD cause XP don't want to let go?
Someone tell me how to wipe this sucker CLEAN please.

Thanks in advance....

[RedDeathDrinker]

Does your startup disk have FDISK on it?

If so, delete any partitions, format to FAT32, and reinstall your OS completely from scratch

[turd]

yes, u also might need to format your mbr run u dos and A:FDISK /MBR

you can also got to your drive mfg and get a copy of diag software that will usually do a lowlevel/debug format, if all else fails get some DRDOS and wipe that sucker.

I have some XP boot disks if yours are bad (4) dont know if they are CP though?