Can't Format Harddrive

[jhuto]

I am trying to format my harddrive on a win 2x PC. It will not give me the option to delete the partition. It will only let me install or exit the installation. Does anyone have any ideas?

 

[satrow]

Are you booting from the Windows 2000 CD?

 

[jhuto]

Yes I am booting it from a 2000 CD. I get to the part that shows the partitions and lets you delete, make, or install on a partition. I want to delete the partition and reformat it, but it doesn't let me use the delete. I have done this many times before and have never run in to this.

 

[stduc]

I can think of three possible solutions.

1. Any format option in the PC's BIOS?

2. Make a bootable DOS floppy with fdisk on it and see if you can use that to destroy the existing partitions. Don't use it to make any though.

3. Download the hard drive manufacturers diagnostic utility (they are usually free and make bootable floppies). After running the diagnostics (optional) there will hopefully be a 'zero fill' or 'wipe' utility. Use that.

If option 2 or 3 worked then the win2K CD should let you create partitions/format them etc.....

 

[newBPhoneGuy]

what exactally are you trying to do.....what im gues is that you have only one drive in the computer and you are trying to wipe it clean....anf format....to do what .... install someother os VMS, AIX, LINUX, newre windows..... i havent messed around with anything like that for a while but it would seem to me that you would need to use the mfg's util to clean the disk like stated above...... but if you are planning on installing windows or another os the clweaning and formating will be done during the instlation...