Can't format a partition

[Cal Who]

I have a second disk that has three partitions on it.

I tried formating one of the partitions and got the message that windows can
not format that drive and I should close all apps and try again.

Since I had nothing running I did a safe reboot and tried again.

Got the same message.

How can I reformat that partition?

If anything really needs it I just as soon it bombs because it shouldn't be
using it.

I'm going to rebuild the syatem soon anyway and want to be sure the
partition is OK before I do.

Thanks

Thanks

PS I did format one of the other partitions

 

[Terry R.]

On 11/20/2009 8:49 AM On a whim, Cal Who pounded out on the keyboard

I have a second disk that has three partitions on it.

I tried formating one of the partitions and got the message that windows can
not format that drive and I should close all apps and try again.

Since I had nothing running I did a safe reboot and tried again.

Got the same message.

How can I reformat that partition?

If anything really needs it I just as soon it bombs because it shouldn't be
using it.

I'm going to rebuild the syatem soon anyway and want to be sure the
partition is OK before I do.

Thanks

Thanks

PS I did format one of the other partitions

Is Windows using that partition for the paging file or something else?
Run a chkdsk /f on the drive to check for errors.


Terry R.

 

[Cal Who]

On 11/20/2009 8:49 AM On a whim, Cal Who pounded out on the keyboard


Is Windows using that partition for the paging file or something else? Run
a chkdsk /f on the drive to check for errors.


Terry R.

No page file.

Disk check could not be performed because the utility needs exclusive access
to some windows files on the disk...

I wonder what that means?

 

[Pegasus [MVP]]

I have a second disk that has three partitions on it.

I tried formating one of the partitions and got the message that windows
can not format that drive and I should close all apps and try again.

Since I had nothing running I did a safe reboot and tried again.

Got the same message.

How can I reformat that partition?

If anything really needs it I just as soon it bombs because it shouldn't
be using it.

I'm going to rebuild the syatem soon anyway and want to be sure the
partition is OK before I do.

Thanks

Thanks

PS I did format one of the other partitions

Reboot into Safe Mode, then try again.

 

[LVTravel]

No page file.

Disk check could not be performed because the utility needs exclusive
access to some windows files on the disk...

I wonder what that means?

Would this by any chance be the system partition (where the Windows folder
is located) or where you may be storing temporary internet files or the
like. Any Windows access by default to a drive prevents Windows from
formatting that drive/partition.

 

[JS]

Also check that "System Restore" is not enabled for that partition.

 

[smlunatick]

No page file.

Disk check could not be performed because the utility needs exclusive access
to some windows files on the disk...

I wonder what that means?

It means that some software, and Windows, is using a file on that
drive while the check was also doing its thing.

 

[Cal Who]

I have a second disk that has three partitions on it.

I tried formating one of the partitions and got the message that windows
can not format that drive and I should close all apps and try again.

Since I had nothing running I did a safe reboot and tried again.

Got the same message.

How can I reformat that partition?

If anything really needs it I just as soon it bombs because it shouldn't
be using it.

I'm going to rebuild the syatem soon anyway and want to be sure the
partition is OK before I do.

Thanks

Thanks

PS I did format one of the other partitions

Thanks for all the replies.

I think my av had a hidden file there.

I booted in Safe Mode the stopped the few processes that were running and
not required by windows.

Then the format worked ok.

Thanks again