format question

Hello,

I have upgraded my computer. The full OEM version of Windows XP home has been installed on a brand new HD. My "old" drive is now slave-drive "F ". I have wiped out everything on this drive (F)that I can see, as I wish to format it. However, I am unable to do this. The folder "RECYCLED" remains (unable to remove) as well as an error when I go to format that states that something else is using this drive and cannot format it until they are terminated.

I have tried to wipe with Norton (including all hidden files etc), yet that one folder remains.

I have also disabled "system restore" for this drive (F) .Are there any GERU's out there with some insight?

I am an intermediate user with:

Athelon 600
256mb ram
WinXp Home Ed.

THANKS!!

Jc

 

Hi JcDenton

Can you be a little more explicit on how you are going about wiping this drive? Have you done an fdisk? You're not attempting to format from within windows are you?

Daizy

 

Hi

I WAS in windows (explorer) and tried to format from there (right-click to "Format ")....

Are you suggesting that I should exit windows..?..and isn't FDISK the same thing..?..?

Thanks!
Jc

 

Aha! We just found your problem.
Nope.. you sure can't format from within windows.....and no, fdisking is not the same thing as a format.

Here's some reading for you. Take a gander through it..and if you have any questions...please come back and ask them before attempting this.

Fdisk Simulation

How to do a format


*edit*
And if that doesn't bore you to tears........here's how Billy says to do it.


Daizy

 

Hi

First...thanks for your quick help!

2nd....I checked out your "links" (briefly)..

I ONLY want to use this slave-drive for storage..no system files or any O/S of any kind....thus a "start-up disk" seems irrevelent as I would not be installing any software after the format.

My new "C" drive is fully installed with my new O/S and working well...I just want to store some MP3's etc on my old 12 gig slave.

I would also want to format to this NTFS format (from FAT32).
Can I just kick out to dos and format from there.?

Thanks again...I hope I make some sense!

Jc

 

Before doing anything hasty, please take a look at this MS Article and also check the link on it to help under disk partitioning in XP. It's a whole new ball game and some of the old tools won't work.

I don't have XP so all I know is what I read. I hope I don't lead you astray. (I'll have it next week so I'm interested in your case since it mirrors mine.)

Good luck

EDIT, I must also add that the Start Up disk is of cardinal importance when you happen to be unable to boot the XP system due to some mishap (those things happen). You would feel pretty helpless without some means of making first line repaire. That's what the disk is good for.

Furthermore, you should also create a "Quick Boot" disk while your system is operating properly. Go to this site for XXCOPY and read all about how to make one. its purpose is to allow you to boot to the XP environment when something goes wrong with either the MBR or any boot files in the root of the drive. I plan to have both those safety tools in my box.

Regards