Problems Formatting C: drive

[Guest]

I'm getting a message 'Windows cannot format this drive quit any disk
utilities or other programs that are using this drive, and make sure that no
window is displaying the contents of the drive. Then try formattign again.'

I can't work out how to fix it. Any ideas?

 

[Guest]

Need more info. Like where are you booted from, what drive(pri.master,
pri.slave, etc.) are you trying to format.

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Chris

You can't format a hard drive that Windows is operating on from within
Windows.. the XP CD is bootable and has all of the tools required to format
and start over..

 

[Guest]

You can not format a device that is bean used in the operating system. You
know you can not delete files witch are in use. Therefore you should try
formatting in DOS mode. It’s very easy with the program “FDISKâ€. First crate
a DOS startup disk than reboot from the A:\. Type “Format C:†and press
Enter. There is a big risk for your operating system…

 

[Guest]

I can't say I really know. XP is running off the same Disk (C: drive), so I
tried to work out how to exit XP to DOS so I could use the command prompt,
couldn't find that either. Bringing up the DOS command prompt via XP causes
a similar message. Can you tell me how to exit to DOS?

Thanks,

Chris

 

[Richard Urban]

Think a moment! You can't format the Windows partition while you are using
Windows. Do you sit on the end of a tree limb as you saw off the limb? Same
thing. It just can't be done (well, you can cut off the branch but it isn't
advisable). Boot from the Windows XP CD. Formatting is part of the install
routine from there.

--
Regards,

Richard Urban

aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard

If you knew as much as you thought you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

 

[Michael Stevens]

In

I'm getting a message 'Windows cannot format this drive quit any disk
utilities or other programs that are using this drive, and make sure
that no window is displaying the contents of the drive. Then try
formattign again.'

I can't work out how to fix it. Any ideas?

Click on the link below, or copy and paste the link into the address box
if using the web based newsgroup.
Format XP
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/format_XP.htm
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
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