HDD Formatting Problems

[ajs7997]

I have a 120 GB Maxtor HDD that currently has Linux installed on it. I would like to install Windows but I am currenly unable to format it. I have tried using Partition Magic 7.0 pro and 8.0. Both versions claim that the entire 120 gig drive is "BAD" and won't let me reset the BAD sector. Windows has recoginized it as being "RAW". I am unable to format it using Windows, either. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[BuckeyeComputers]

do you have a version of windows loaded on another drive..if so what version?

 

[wolluf]

Have you tried removing the existing partition and creating new one using whatever version of Windows you are using's partitioning tools (eg, fdisk for win9x/ME, the install process for 2k/XP).

PS. Fdisk for win98 has a problem with partitions over 64GB - see

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;q263044

for fix. Also format command may report wrong size (even after this fix and for ME's version), but it actually does the job.

 

[zen2002]

Most Linux distro's have a formatting utility on them (mandrake 9 is good).Reload your linux distro from cd,use custom or advanced mode in set up and you should come to a formatting tool use this to delete all the linux partitions,then remove the disc and abandon the install,either ctrl+alt+del or reset the box.At this point put your windows disk in and boot from it.You should now be able to format your drive

 

[ajs7997]

I currently have Win XP. I have tried reformatting using Linux install CDs. I reformatted, but used the Linux partition. Should i try reformatting using a small Linux partition? I tried formatting the entire drive as FAT32 but it required that there be a Linux partition for the root filesystem.

 

[franklin97355]

If you are trying to make a dual boot system remove linux completely fdisk the drive with the XP cd and install XP on a 30 to 60 gig partition leaving the rest of the disk unpartitioned. When you have this up and running install LINUX.

 

[ajs7997]

no, i don't want to have a dual boot system. i just want to install XP on this 120 GB HDD. I have not yet tried to format the disk with the Win XP installation CD.

 

[zen2002]

If your using Win XP PRO when you boot from the disc it should see your linux partitions and give you the option of deleting them then formatting.try this.

 

[just1guy]

TO: ajs7997

Partition Magic 7.0 or 8.0 are good programs. However, you may be going about it the wrong way if you can make the two disk Partition Magic advises you to make do so. Shut down your PC incert Disk 1 and boot your PC. Follow the screen instrutions and wait until you are at the PM menu or desktop.You should be looking at Partition Magic window showing your hard drive. Here you highlight the entire drive and delete it. Next highlight the gray area, which should be your hard drive. Select format and the entire drive will be erased, format in fat 32, and ready for WIN XP installation. when you boot again, go to the Bios have have you PC boot from the CD-Rom drive. Exit the Bios saving the changes and your PC will Reboot. Next follow the instructions. if the cannot make Partition Magic disks. Then go to the Bios change the boot to the CD-Rom drive first, save changes and reboot. WIN XP will delete the partition for and create its own. Just follow and read all instructions carefully. slao make sure that you have the full version of WIN XP.