Trying to Partition /Format a new Hard Drive

[AROUNDTUIT]

Hi, I'm trying to partition & format a new 80 gig drive.
using a start-up floppy - after loading the floppy . I
Fdisked OK , and it told me to restart,after restarting it now tells me again to partition before I format. But when I try to, It comes up NO FIXED DRIVES, although the Bios shows the drives details on start up. Maybe I'm not typing in the correct words ( It's windows M.E start up disc) Hoping someone can help

 

[paparazi]

You say quote "I Fdisked OK , and it told me to restart,after restarting it now tells me again to partition" so does that mean you created a partition?
at "a" prompt type fdisk
Then create primary dos partition, it will ask do you want to make this partition active "y" yes return it checks disk and ask you to restart.
Again at "a" prompt type format C:/U press return
All data will be lost, proceed "Y" yes
Something like that.
After format (about 30 mins on 80gig) type: setup press return, it does another check for available space and then goes into Windows setup.
Martin


Replying helps further our knowledge, without comment leaves us wondering.

 

[AROUNDTUIT]

Hi Thanks for the answer but I did create the primary dos partition ,etc But after restart, it would'nt let me format
saying to partition first, When trying to fdisk again it
comes up with No fixed drive ( although it shows in the Bios. I have since tried to format the old Hard drive (Which has windows on it) but when I try formatting it also says NO FIXED DRIVE . Although showing on the start up screen -- Is it possible to have a virus in Bios ?

 

[wolluf]

sounds like hardware problem of some sort - check IDE cable (suggest using another one - make sure undamaged, and connected properly. And 80 wire of course (old drive may have been ATA33 or slower - only needed 40 wire cable - but 80GB will need 80 wire).