Can't create new primary partition... Only logical drives. Using fdisk or disk mngmt

  • Thread starter Thread starter Eric
  • Start date Start date
E

Eric

Hi there!

I've been trying for the past hours to delete two logical drives so as
to obtain some unallocated space that I could (in theory) transform
into two new and shinny primary drives, on which I wish to reinstall
XP, one as my main partition, the other to try out new programs.

Of course, things didn't work out that way!

So, now I'm stuck with my system on a logical drive (C:) {Boot},

some free space which I can only turn into a new logical drive

and my data on another primary partition without Windows on it, but
still saying (E:) {System}

Whenever I try using Fdisk from a floppy to create new partitions, they
always show-up as logical drives...

Any ideas? The worst thing is that I've done this many times in the
past and can't figure out what I'm missing today!

Thanks,

Eric
 
Apparently, you are attempting to reformat your drive
the old fashioned way. Read the following for an easy
procedure:

The Windows XP CD is bootable and contains all the tools necessary
to partition and format your drive. Follow this procedure and allow
Windows XP to partition and format your drive:

NOTE: It would be best to physically disconnect all your peripheral hardware
devices, except the monitor, mouse and keyboard, before installing XP.

NOTE: If you have an internal Zip Drive installed, physically disconnect the
EIDE and power cable to it before proceeding, otherwise your main
hard drive may not be assigned the customary C: drive letter.
After installing Windows XP, you may then reconnect it.

1. Open your BIOS and set your "CD Drive as the first bootable device".

===> Accessing Motherboard BIOS
===> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

2. Insert your Windows XP CD in the CD Drive and reboot your computer.

3. You'll see a message to boot to the CD....follow the instructions.

4. The setup menu will appear and you should elect to delete all the existing
Windows partitions, then create a new partition, then format the primary
partition (preferably NTFS) and proceed to install Windows XP.

5. Clean Install Windows XP
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

[Courtesy of Michael Stevens, MS-MVP]

6. ==> Immediately after installing Windows XP, turn on XP's Firewall.
==> http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.aspx

7. After Windows XP is installed, visit the Windows Update website
and download the available "Critical Updates".

8. After installing the critical updates, be sure and visit the support website
of the manufacturer of the computer to download and install any
available Windows XP compatible drivers, such as video adapter
and audio drivers.

9. If you happen to run into any installation difficulties, use the following resources:

How to Troubleshoot Windows XP Problems During Installation
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;310064

Troubleshooting Windows XP Setup
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_setup.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Kelly Theriot]

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.mspx

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| Hi there!
|
| I've been trying for the past hours to delete two logical drives so as
| to obtain some unallocated space that I could (in theory) transform
| into two new and shinny primary drives, on which I wish to reinstall
| XP, one as my main partition, the other to try out new programs.
|
| Of course, things didn't work out that way!
|
| So, now I'm stuck with my system on a logical drive (C:) {Boot},
|
| some free space which I can only turn into a new logical drive
|
| and my data on another primary partition without Windows on it, but
| still saying (E:) {System}
|
| Whenever I try using Fdisk from a floppy to create new partitions, they
| always show-up as logical drives...
|
| Any ideas? The worst thing is that I've done this many times in the
| past and can't figure out what I'm missing today!
|
| Thanks,
|
| Eric
 
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