Formatting Issue

[estevez999]

Hi Guys,

I just got a new desktop which had no OS. I installed WinXp no problem, now i want to reinstall it again but it just keeps overwriting the existing files. I cant delete the partition in setup as it says that important files are in use. When i try to format C it says "Windows can not format.Quit any disk utils or prgs using the drive, and make sure no window is displaying the drive contents. Then try formating."

Theres nothing on the drive apart from the OS. How can i format C so i can do a clean install?

Cheers
macca

 

[vacunita]

First of all, you cannot format the C drive from inside windows, because it is using the c drive to run on. Why don't you boot from the Windows XP cd, and choose Format existing partition. That should wipe it clean. So you can install it again.


Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[vacunita]

Sorry, misread your post. You could try a third party APP, like Partition magic. However if you are booting from the CD, and running the setup, it should format just fine.

The other method would be to get a bootdisk and boot with it, fdisk all the partitons. and then run the XP cd Setup again, to recreate the partitons and format them.

Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[estevez999]

Hi,

Thanks for the info, when im in the blue setup screens it wont allow me to delete the partition. Says its in use. Only option it gives me is to overwrite onto existing partition.

 

[estevez999]

When i first done the install it done a format (long). Now doesnt do it.

 

[vacunita]

A si said find a bootdisk, you can look here:

http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

Boot from it, and run the fdisk command. ti wipe out all the partitions.

Then Boot from the Windows XP CD, and use it to create te partitions and format them.

Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[estevez999]

Cheers, i dont have a floppy drive though.

Ive tried formatting from dos, it says are your sure? I type Y. Then it quickly goes to the command line without doing much.

 

[linney]

A couple of things to look at.

Do you have any Bios anti virus scanner enabled that you can disable in the Bios?

What type of hard drive setup do you have?

315679 - Problems with Drive Overlay Programs in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;315679&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

Have a read of the troubleshooting sections of these articles.

HOW TO: Prepare to Upgrade Windows 98 or Windows Millennium Edition to Windows XP(Q316639)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q316/6/39.asp

310064 - HOW TO: Troubleshoot Windows XP Problems During Installation When You Upgrade from Windows 98 or Windows Me

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310064&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

224826 - Troubleshooting Text-Mode Setup Problems on ACPI Computers

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;224826&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

HOW TO: Partition and Format a Hard Disk in Windows XP (Q313348)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q313/3/48.asp

Read the paragraph,
"How to Partition and Format Your Hard Disk by Using Windows XP Setup."


For more help (shows enlargeable screenshots) go here.

http://www.petri.co.il/install_windows_xp_pro.htm

 

[estevez999]

Thanks for the info guys, will give these a try.

 

[NortonES2]

How are you running the WinXP setup \ install program?

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