reformating

Hey eveyone. I've been having problems with my computer lately so I decided to reformat my computer. The directions that I got told me to start by making a new Wndows ME boot disk (I think thats what its called). Then I restarted with the disk and I recieved 4 options: help, start with CD-ROM support, start without CD-Rom support, and minimal boot. I chose "start with CD-ROM support ". I waited for my computer to go through the start-up process and then once the a: prompt appeared I typed "a:format c: ". It then reformated and asked me to name my computer. I simply named it "pooter ". The directions then told me that if my my drive has been sub-divided with partition software, then format on the second partition. I don't think mine sub-divided so I didn't reformat again. The directions then said to put the windows Me install CD in and type "x:setup" where "x" is the Cd-ROM's letter. This is the step I'm stuck at. The drive won't work with the install CD. If i take out the floppy disk, then it gets stubborn and will continue to ask for it until I put it back in. Any help is appreciated. Thank you for reading, sorry for it being so long.

 

Windows ME installs like WIndows 98/98se...

When you use your boot disk and choose "Boot with CD-ROM Support" it creates a virtual ram drive. So at the A: prompt you will need to enter the drive letter of your CD-ROM which typically is D: but because of the virtual ram drive it will temporarily be E: (note:this is going on you having 1 Hard Drive installed and 1 CD-ROM). At E: prompt type "Setup" and away you go...

 

I turned on my computer to do what u suggested but now, with or without the disk, it says "invalid system disk" or something like that. What does this mean? Is my computer worthless? lol.

 

As you can guess I've seen your post at computting.net and included things here that you mention there. Are you trying to restart using the startup disk or the Win CD? You have to use the startup disk to get the drivers for the CD-Rom installed so you can use the Win CD. If your startup disk isn't working you can borrow one from a friend and anything from Win 9X to Win ME will work. Then be sure to create your own when prompted to during the OS install.

With this said...The command at a: prompt should have been format c:/s The formatted drive doesn't have the needed system files on it. Insert the startup disk and start the whole process over but choose to start without CD-Rom support. Type format c:/s at the a: prompt. Then restart using the startup disk and choose start with CD-Rom support, when you get to the a: prompt put the Windows disk in and type d:{where d: is the CD-Rom drive letter} and press enter. You should then get a d: prompt. Type setup at the d: prompt and press enter. If you get an invalid command error type setup.exe and press enter. That should start the OS loading. You can then remove the floppy, that way it won't interupt when the reboots are done by the OS install.

 

Another Reformatting problem

I wonder if you can help me.
I have a Sony Vaio running ME, that has been acting up, and I plan to reinstall the OS. My hard drive is currently partitioned into a C: and a D: drive.
Now, that I'm reformatting the disk anyway, I'd like to repartition it into one big drive. Is there a simple way to do that?

 

I know this may sound silly, but make sure you’re using the ‘OEM’ Windows ME install CD and not the ME upgrade CD.
It happened to me once and I experienced a very similar problem.
Good luck!

 

Another Reformatting problem

I wonder if you can help me.
I have a Sony Vaio running ME, that has been acting up, and I plan to reinstall the OS. My hard drive is currently partitioned into a C: and a D: drive.
Now, that I'm reformatting the disk anyway, I'd like to repartition it into one big drive. Is there a simple way to do that?

 

Use a boot disk to boot to an a: prompt then run fdisk and delete both partitions. You'll have to delete them one at a time. Then fdisk again and create a partition using all available space and be sure to make the partition active. Then reboot and at the a: prompt type "format c:/s" omitting the quotes. After the format is finished reboot again choosing to start with CD-ROM support and continue with the installation.

I'm assuming you've done a clean install before and can take it from there...if not and you need more detailed instructions let us know. Brenda

 

Mortman,
You probably have a recovery CD, and this being a Sony with a recovery CD, the C: and D: drive are necessary due to a proprietary OS installation. If you start the computer with the 1st Sony CD, you should have the option for it to format and install the computer.
Also, next time, please start your own thread, it get confusing trying to respond to two different problems.