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format c:

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by Phonedog911, 2004/03/28.

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  1. 2004/03/28
    Phonedog911

    Phonedog911 Inactive Thread Starter

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    i want to format my hd and windows wont let me. i've tried right clicking the hd --> format and doing "format c:" in dos and it always says that it cant format it because windows needs it to run(even in safe mode with comand prompt). how can i format this drive? what i want to do is totally format the drive and install another os on it. is there any way to get "format c:" to work?
     
    Phonedog911,
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  2. 2004/03/28
    Daizy

    Daizy Inactive

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    You can't format from within windows.
    You can use the Xp Cd to format, or use a bootdisk, fdisk and format.
     
    Daizy,
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  4. 2004/03/28
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff

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    Windows will never let You format the drive on which it resides. It would actually wipe out the very utility that You are using. You can format other drives (physical or partitions) but not the OS drive (partition).

    I assume that You now have WinXP installed. Which file system, FAT32 or NTFS?

    If it is FAT32, then You can use a Win98 or WinME start disk to format the drive.

    If it is NTFS, then I think that You´ll have to remove the non-DOS partition using delpart before being able to use the start disk to fdisk and format.

    I have on one occasion managed to remove a single NTFS partition from a HP OmniBook (Win NT 3.?) using a WinME start disk. Most people will tell You that it isn´t possible but if so ...... :p ...... it was a magical moment.

    Christer
     
    Last edited: 2004/03/28
    Christer,
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  5. 2004/03/28
    markp62

    markp62 Geek Member Alumni

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    Formatting the C drive while windows is running is like letting someone borrow your ladder while you are standing on it.
     
    markp62,
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  6. 2004/03/28
    Phonedog911

    Phonedog911 Inactive Thread Starter

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    when you say "start disk" do you mean the install cd that came with windows or one of those floppy disks(the emergency boot disk or whatever)? and if so, how do you make one?
     
    Phonedog911,
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  7. 2004/03/28
    noahdfear

    noahdfear Inactive

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    What OS do you currently have installed, and what OS do you want to install? And if XP is installed, what file system, NTFS or FAT32?
     
    noahdfear,
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  8. 2004/03/29
    markp62

    markp62 Geek Member Alumni

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    http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm
    Download the file appropiate for the OS you are installing. Download the file to your C: drive, put a fresh disk in your A: drive, then click on the file to create the bootdisk.
    Before you format, do you have the hardware drivers; motherboard, video, sound, modem, network, printer(s)?
     
    markp62,
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  9. 2004/04/01
    Daizy

    Daizy Inactive

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    How'd the format go, Phonedog911 ? Everything go alright?
     
    Daizy,
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