How do I get into the XP recovery console to format my drive? It is ntfs, so I can't get to it through dos, and I am assuming the only way is to do it through the recovery console. Is there a quicker way into this, other than going through the 6 boot disks?

have you tried booting from xp cdrom?
press r to go into recovery console.
select c:\windows
insert password
then type format c: /fs:ntfs
or change ntfs to fat32.

Erm... For some reason, my XP cd isn't bootable...

You need to go into the bios and change the boot order. You have to select to boot to the cdrom. Also, if you are planning to reinstall xp after you format (which I figure you are), just select new install and the option to format in ntfs or fat32 will come up as you go along. A new install will take you through all the steps. It's very simple.

you will only be able to boot from the cd if its a full installation disk and not an upgrade disk.

What I mean is, I'm not entirely sure if my CD is 100% genuine, and that's why it won't boot.

it is more likely an upgrade cd.

Nope, it's definitely a full installation disc, I have installed to a bare drive from this disc a few times.

mate if its full install disk nomatter the orgins of the disk it will do the formatting- as i understand it you only enter the code once xp is installed-

i would agree withgamehunter- i would change the order of your boot sequence options making the cdrom the first thing it boots from as oposed to the floppy. Alternatively if this a second drive make it a slave on your pc and format through xp or win2k from my computer

I've already tried changing the boot sequence, without any difference, my cd simply won't boot.