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Resolved Windows could not complete the format

Discussion in 'Windows 7' started by jparnold, 2014/05/11.

  1. 2014/05/11
    jparnold

    jparnold Inactive Thread Starter

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    Hello
    I am currently unable to format a new partition on a HDD.
    Originally there were around 5 partitions on the single HDD.
    I wanted to increase the size of H: partition and after deleting all files from the G: partition used disk management to SHRINK partition G: which the resulted in an unallocated space of around 20GB. I then deleted partition H which gave around 80GB unallocated space.
    So I then created a new partition (H) using all the unallocated space.
    Now I cannot use the new partition as each time I attempt to format this partition I get the error "Windows was unable to complete the format ".
    Disk management shows that this partition has a file system of RAW.
    How can I fix this please.
    Could it be that the partition space is not contiguous? If so how do I fix it?
    Thanks
     
    jparnold,
    #1
  2. 2014/05/11
    retiredlearner

    retiredlearner SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    Hi jparnold, If the HD has nothing on it - why not FDISK and start again? Neil.
     
    retiredlearner,
    #2


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  4. 2014/05/11
    jparnold

    jparnold Inactive Thread Starter

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    If that was the case I would have reformatted the entire drive.
    In my initial post I stated that there are 5 partitions on the hdd and I was trying to resize 2 of them (g: and h:)
     
    jparnold,
    #3
  5. 2014/05/12
    retiredlearner

    retiredlearner SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    Last edited: 2014/05/12
    retiredlearner,
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  6. 2014/05/12
    jparnold

    jparnold Inactive Thread Starter

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    Thanks Neil but the links you gave are for Windows XP and I have W7 (and this is in the W7 forum).
     
    jparnold,
    #5
  7. 2014/05/12
    jparnold

    jparnold Inactive Thread Starter

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    I think I have solved it.
    I did a full format (not a quick one) and found that the format only failed when nearly complete (eg 99%).
    I then tried creating a new partition not using all the free space (I tried using 53.71Gb out of 55.61Gb) the format completed ok. That left 1.90Gb unusable) which isn't too bad. I am just about to delete the partition and start again trying using 54.5 and if that works I will only loose less than 1Gb.
     
    jparnold,
    #6
  8. 2014/05/12
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    Try formatting the partition from Computer Management > Disk Management (Found under Control Panel > Administrative Tools).

    Another option is to run chkdsk /f from an administrator command prompt on that particular partition.
     
    Arie,
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  9. 2014/05/12
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    I'd try deleting the partition & running chkdsk /f. That may fix it.
     
    Arie,
    #8
  10. 2014/05/12
    jparnold

    jparnold Inactive Thread Starter

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    Hi Arie,

    I had already tried chkdsk /f but it doesn't seem to work on 'drives' which are not formatted (eg raw drives) and I couldn't format it.
    I ended up creating a 'simple device) and using all but 456Mb of the free space.
    I am wondering if I did something wrong when I initially reduced the size of G: (partition) drive and then tried to use the freed up space to extend the H: (partition) drive.
    Anyway I have only lost 456Mb of a 512GB drive which is really nothing.
    I will close this thread and thanks for your replies
     
    jparnold,
    #9
  11. 2014/05/12
    Steve R Jones

    Steve R Jones SuperGeek Staff

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    You can only have four basic/standard partitions on a drive.
     
    Steve R Jones,
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  12. 2014/05/12
    retiredlearner

    retiredlearner SuperGeek WindowsBBS Team Member

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    You're obviously working with a PC other than the one in your My System. That is why I looked up XP info! Neil.
     
    retiredlearner,
    #11
  13. 2014/05/12
    jparnold

    jparnold Inactive Thread Starter

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    Sorry Neil,
    It's been some time since I last posted here and (obviously) upgraded since then. I had completely forgot that my system details are recorded here.
    I have just updated them so thanks for reminding me.
    BTW I love W7. After I installed it I was still using XP (I was using dual boot) until I felt comfortable using W7. Now I wouldn't go back.
     
    jparnold,
    #12

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