formatting problems

[jediwarrior]

Hi there,

I am having problems formatting my hard drive. I have rarely done this, so i may be missing something.
I copied the command folder to floppy disks, and then when I double click on the format icon, I get 'parsor error 2', and then I cannot do anything else.

I also tried to go directly into DOS and into the command folder and type 'format c: /s' it tells me that all data will be lost. I say 'Y' and then I get an error saying the Drive C is in use by another program, and formatting has been terminated.
What am I doing wrong? I have a Compaq Deskpro computer using Windows 98. I've also tried reinstalling Win98 and get different errors during the install. I would really like to format the hard drive and reinstall brand new.

Can anyone one help me?

Thanks,

Jediwarrior

 

[lgebhart]

You should be able to create a startup disk in Windows 98 by going to Start>Settings>Control Panel. Click on Add/Remove programs and click on the startup tab. Create startup disk and follow the rest of the instructions. (Forgive me if the steps are not right to the control panel, I am going from memory and I have no Win98 PC here)

Boot with that floppy disk in the drive and then try typing format c:

Keep in mind the first boot drive needs to be set to A: Floppy Drive if it isn't already set that way in the bios or it will bypass the floppy drive and boot straight into windows.



lgebhart

A+, Network+, IC3
MAI for MS Office 2000
OSHA Outreach Trainer

 

[wolluf]

You can also get boot disk from

http://www.bootdisk.com.

Note - you do know you'll lose everything on the hard drive when you format - so you have backed up anything you want to keep?

Other note - you can't format the system drive while the operating system is running (makes sense if you think about it) - which is what was causing your error messages. That's why you need to boot from a floppy.

 

[jediwarrior]

thanks for the tek-tips guys, I'll be trying them first thing in the morning.

Thanks again,

Jediwarrior