trying to format a Dell computer... impossible ?

Hi,

I'm trying to format my lil brother's computer (Dell Dimension 4400) and I just can't do it.
I first tried reinstalling windows over the old one (with the Dell CD) but it's pointless, I want to start over fresh and clean without anything left over. The Dell re-installation CD doesn't have a "format drive" option, just "repair" or "install over the current existing version".

I've made an XP boot diskette and I can't format c: when I use it (and there's no fdisk on it either... is that normal?) because it doesn't even see that there's a C: drive ...

I've tried a win98 boot disk, and here it actually sees that there's a C: drive but it's the wrong C: (it's some weird useless 8M partition Dell made) and I can't seem to access the drive/partition where windows is installed. Hard to format when it's not there...

thanks to anyone who can help me

If you have a WinXP Cd all you'd have to do is place it on the cd drive and if your computer does not boot from Cd, you can change that on bios load up by pressing F2 or del keys (can't remember which is it)
If WinXP Cd is not present, have you tried bypassing the OS startup files so that you can go into command prompt alone?

I do have a WinXP CD, but it's the one I got from Dell, and i can't format from that CD (the only options are "repair" or "install over the existing version"... "repair" repairs absolutely nothing, and "install over the existing version" leaves me with the same problems I had before wanting to format)

I tried going into command prompt, but it doesn't work (anything other than F8?) ... as if Dell blocked it?
I can only get into the the Bios (with the delete key )

Are you pressing F8 right after the Windows is loading screen?
Some PCs will give you a window of 2 milliseconds to press F8, you may try to press it a couple of times before it appears, for that, you'll have to time it.

you use a windows 98 bootdisk to help you fromat the hardisk. you can get a windows 98SE bootdisk from www.bootdisk.com
the command is "format c:" from the prompt it will lead you too.
the following is a guide i wrote for a slightly different task, but it may help you a bit
Re-installing windows using a bootdisk