Well I know this is kinda a dumb question but...

I'm used to using Win9x, and I know how to format and install windows on that, but XP is proving to be a problem. On the older systems all I had to do was use a bootable floppy, format the harddrive and install windows. How is this done with XP? I haven't been using it long enough to learn and of course the manual and help file where of no use at all. I can't format from the hd from windows, and I don't have an old boot disk. How do I format it?
Thanks for any help.