Need to format a partition without installing Windows

[MagnusTheReD]

Well, I have created two partitions, and had the idiocy to format the auxiliary partition after I installed Windows on the primary one - ze mutterfucker installed OS components on the auxiliary right after formatting, so now at start-up, it's listed as a system-partition too!
Problem is, when I'm given the choice which OS to start, I get about 1.4 seconds to do so, failing which, the computer decides which one to start by itself...
And guess which one it always chooses?
The one that worked at the previous start-up? Fuck no!

TL;DR: I'm sick of playing "speed" with my goddamn machine.
I need to format the auxiliary partition without installing any OS components, and that Microsoft Windows guide/troubleshooting thingie-bullshit tells me I gotta use a third-party application or something.
So can anybody suggest something?

I'm using the WinXP sp2, if it's of any significance.

[Bounty]

http://gparted.sourceforge.net/

Download the LiveCD, burn, start up the computer with the CD in it, and format away.

[Argosh]

So can anybody suggest something?

Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Computer Management -> Storage -> Disk Management
Select the partition you want to and format.

[MagnusTheReD]

Well, thanks a bunch, guys!

I knew there should be an option to format disks with the OS, but I wasn't looking at the right place!
I think I'll try that first - hope the HD won't spontaneously combust or something...

[Dave]

So can anybody suggest something?

Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Computer Management -> Storage -> Disk Management
Select the partition you want to and format.

I believe this is only an option with XP Professional, not XP Home edition.

(The OP did not specify which version of XP they were using.)

[MagnusTheReD]

Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Computer Management -> Storage -> Disk Management
Select the partition you want to and format.

I believe this is only an option with XP Professional, not XP Home edition.

(The OP did not specify which version of XP they were using.)

Well, it is XP Pro, and I do have the option.
And it didn't work, BTW - I still get the option launch the OS from that partition, even though it supposed to be completely empty by now...

[Dominus Atheos]

There's no need to manually edit the boot file, Just open msconfig > boot.ini > check boot paths and that should fix it. Alternatively, right-click on my computer > properties > advanced > startup settings, then select the correct os and uncheck the "time to display list of os choices".

[MagnusTheReD]

There's no need to manually edit the boot file, Just open msconfig > boot.ini > check boot paths and that should fix it. Alternatively, right-click on my computer > properties > advanced > startup settings, then select the correct os and uncheck the "time to display list of os choices".

Thanks, man, that worked like a charm - I just opened the startup settings, marked the correct OS as the default one,
and unchecked the "time to display" line. Now the OS boots right away.

Thanks for the help, guys!