can't reformat C drive, windows won't let me

  • Thread starter Thread starter kohlrabi_croce
  • Start date Start date
K

kohlrabi_croce

hi all,

First, I have decided that I need to re-format my drive and re-install
everything.
I'm having problems.

I insert the ms windows xp cd into the cd drive. I re-boot and go
into
setup, and set the cd drive as the first boot device, then re-boot.

Instead of starting the process for formatting the drive and
installing
windows, I get a blue screen telling me to check my computer for
viruses, and to run chkdsk/F.

So I check for viruses, and my virus checker gets hung up on
a hair plugin for a 3D program. The plugin is called bhairy.
So I cancel, and do a search on bhairy*.*, and find out I can;t even
delete that stuff. Windows won't let me.

Getting frustrated by this time, I simply try to install windows xp
from
the cd-rom, with the OS already booted up. It won;t let me do that
either, because it said, the version of windows xp on the cd-rom is
an older version, and if I install it it will delete files.

Yeah, I know it will delete files, give me the freaking option to do
it!
God!

If I have a virus, and have to re-format, how can I do it if I'm not
allowed
to re-format because I have a virus?

Anyway, any advice would be appreciated.

TIA.
 
On 3/30/2007 3:12 PM On a whim, kohlrabi_croce pounded out on the keyboard
hi all,

First, I have decided that I need to re-format my drive and re-install
everything.
I'm having problems.

I insert the ms windows xp cd into the cd drive. I re-boot and go
into
setup, and set the cd drive as the first boot device, then re-boot.

Instead of starting the process for formatting the drive and
installing
windows, I get a blue screen telling me to check my computer for
viruses, and to run chkdsk/F.

So I check for viruses, and my virus checker gets hung up on
a hair plugin for a 3D program. The plugin is called bhairy.
So I cancel, and do a search on bhairy*.*, and find out I can;t even
delete that stuff. Windows won't let me.

Getting frustrated by this time, I simply try to install windows xp
from
the cd-rom, with the OS already booted up. It won;t let me do that
either, because it said, the version of windows xp on the cd-rom is
an older version, and if I install it it will delete files.

Yeah, I know it will delete files, give me the freaking option to do
it!
God!

If I have a virus, and have to re-format, how can I do it if I'm not
allowed
to re-format because I have a virus?

Anyway, any advice would be appreciated.

TIA.
Click to expand...

You don't have the option to delete the existing partition and create a
new one (after booting from the CD)? You should. You don't want to
perform a repair, but perform a new install. Make sure you're selecting
the proper option.


--
Terry

***Reply Note***
Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.
Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.
 
On 3/30/2007 3:12 PM On a whim, kohlrabi_croce pounded out on the keyboard













You don't have the option to delete the existing partition and create a
new one (after booting from the CD)? You should. You don't want to
perform a repair, but perform a new install. Make sure you're selecting
the proper option.
Click to expand...


It doesn't give me the option. It starts to take a look at my
hardware,
runs through a fews setup things, then starts to boot the OS, then
tells me to either run a virus check or go into DOS and run chkdsk/f.

I don't want it to try to boot the OS, I just want to re-format the
drive
and do a clean install!
 
On 3/30/2007 3:12 PM On a whim, kohlrabi_croce pounded out on the keyboard













You don't have the option to delete the existing partition and create a
new one (after booting from the CD)? You should. You don't want to
perform a repair, but perform a new install. Make sure you're selecting
the proper option.
Click to expand...


It doesn't give me the option. It starts to take a look at my
hardware,
runs through a fews setup things, then starts to boot the OS, then
tells me to either run a virus check or go into DOS and run chkdsk/f.

I don't want it to try to boot the OS, I just want to re-format the
drive
and do a clean install!
 
On 3/30/2007 3:12 PM On a whim, kohlrabi_croce pounded out on the keyboard













You don't have the option to delete the existing partition and create a
new one (after booting from the CD)? You should. You don't want to
perform a repair, but perform a new install. Make sure you're selecting
the proper option.
Click to expand...


It doesn't give me the option. It starts to take a look at my
hardware,
runs through a fews setup things, then starts to boot the OS, then
tells me to either run a virus check or go into DOS and run chkdsk/f.

I don't want it to try to boot the OS, I just want to re-format the
drive
and do a clean install!
 
On 3/30/2007 3:12 PM On a whim, kohlrabi_croce pounded out on the keyboard













You don't have the option to delete the existing partition and create a
new one (after booting from the CD)? You should. You don't want to
perform a repair, but perform a new install. Make sure you're selecting
the proper option.
Click to expand...


It doesn't give me the option. It starts to take a look at my
hardware,
runs through a fews setup things, then starts to boot the OS, then
tells me to either run a virus check or go into DOS and run chkdsk/f.

I don't want it to try to boot the OS, I just want to re-format the
drive
and do a clean install!
 
do you get an option to install or use recovery console to repair.
if the recovery console is available use it to format the hard drive.

by the way is you cd a RECOVER cd from dell or gateway by chance.
if so then that may be the problem why you are having the problem.



(e-mail address removed)



hi all,

First, I have decided that I need to re-format my drive and re-install
everything.
I'm having problems.

I insert the ms windows xp cd into the cd drive. I re-boot and go
into
setup, and set the cd drive as the first boot device, then re-boot.

Instead of starting the process for formatting the drive and
installing
windows, I get a blue screen telling me to check my computer for
viruses, and to run chkdsk/F.

So I check for viruses, and my virus checker gets hung up on
a hair plugin for a 3D program. The plugin is called bhairy.
So I cancel, and do a search on bhairy*.*, and find out I can;t even
delete that stuff. Windows won't let me.

Getting frustrated by this time, I simply try to install windows xp
from
the cd-rom, with the OS already booted up. It won;t let me do that
either, because it said, the version of windows xp on the cd-rom is
an older version, and if I install it it will delete files.

Yeah, I know it will delete files, give me the freaking option to do
it!
God!

If I have a virus, and have to re-format, how can I do it if I'm not
allowed
to re-format because I have a virus?

Anyway, any advice would be appreciated.

TIA.
 
On 3/30/2007 3:12 PM On a whim, kohlrabi_croce pounded out on the keyboard













You don't have the option to delete the existing partition and create a
new one (after booting from the CD)? You should. You don't want to
perform a repair, but perform a new install. Make sure you're selecting
the proper option.
Click to expand...


It doesn't give me the option. It starts to take a look at my
hardware,
runs through a fews setup things, then starts to boot the OS, then
tells me to either run a virus check or go into DOS and run chkdsk/f.

I don't want it to try to boot the OS, I just want to re-format the
drive
and do a clean install!
 
do you get an option to install or use recovery console to repair.
if the recovery console is available use it to format the hard drive.

by the way is you cd a RECOVER cd from dell or gateway by chance.
if so then that may be the problem why you are having the problem.
Click to expand...

Hi, No, it's a plain MS Windows XP disk. I tried pressing F2 to do
an "automated system recovery" and it wanted me to install
the "automated system recovery" disk. If I need that, why didn't
I get it when I bought the program? I don;t have such a disk.

Well so far windows decided on its own to give me the option to
choose either safe mode, or the last known good configuration,
or etc., and I picked "last known good config" and then it did the
hard disk check. Of its own accord. This computer is doing whatever
it wants just about!

So now I will see what else I can do with it.
 
kohlrabi_croce said:
hi all,

First, I have decided that I need to re-format my drive and re-install
everything.
I'm having problems.

I insert the ms windows xp cd into the cd drive. I re-boot and go
into
setup, and set the cd drive as the first boot device, then re-boot.

Instead of starting the process for formatting the drive and
installing
windows, I get a blue screen telling me to check my computer for
viruses, and to run chkdsk/F.

So I check for viruses, and my virus checker gets hung up on
a hair plugin for a 3D program. The plugin is called bhairy.
So I cancel, and do a search on bhairy*.*, and find out I can;t even
delete that stuff. Windows won't let me.

Getting frustrated by this time, I simply try to install windows xp
from
the cd-rom, with the OS already booted up. It won;t let me do that
either, because it said, the version of windows xp on the cd-rom is
an older version, and if I install it it will delete files.

Yeah, I know it will delete files, give me the freaking option to do
it!
God!

If I have a virus, and have to re-format, how can I do it if I'm not
allowed
to re-format because I have a virus?

Anyway, any advice would be appreciated.

TIA.
Click to expand...

Go to your hard drive manufacturer's web site and download the *floppy*
to format and partition your hard drive. Update your Master Book Record
(MBR) first and then format and partition your drive. Use the Quick
format or it will take hours. Once formatted, exit and boot into the
BIOS/setup, remove the floppy and set it to boot from the CDROM and
insert your XP CD. Save and exit Setup and you should be able to set up
XP and choose the C drive that you set up with the floppy.

Alias
 
do you get an option to install or use recovery console to repair.
if the recovery console is available use it to format the hard drive.

by the way is you cd a RECOVER cd from dell or gateway by chance.
if so then that may be the problem why you are having the problem.
Click to expand...

Hi, No, it's a plain MS Windows XP disk. I tried pressing F2 to do
an "automated system recovery" and it wanted me to install
the "automated system recovery" disk. If I need that, why didn't
I get it when I bought the program? I don;t have such a disk.

Well so far windows decided on its own to give me the option to
choose either safe mode, or the last known good configuration,
or etc., and I picked "last known good config" and then it did the
hard disk check. Of its own accord. This computer is doing whatever
it wants just about!

So now I will see what else I can do with it.
 
Alias said:
Go to your hard drive manufacturer's web site and download the *floppy*
to format and partition your hard drive. Update your Master Book Record
(MBR) first and then format and partition your drive. Use the Quick
format or it will take hours. Once formatted, exit and boot into the
BIOS/setup, remove the floppy and set it to boot from the CDROM and
insert your XP CD. Save and exit Setup and you should be able to set up
XP and choose the C drive that you set up with the floppy.

Alias
Click to expand...

Course, then you get to activate XP and hope you don't have to call
India to do it ;-)

Alias
 
Go to your hard drive manufacturer's web site and download the *floppy*
to format and partition your hard drive. Update your Master Book Record
(MBR) first and then format and partition your drive. Use the Quick
format or it will take hours. Once formatted, exit and boot into the
BIOS/setup, remove the floppy and set it to boot from the CDROM and
insert your XP CD. Save and exit Setup and you should be able to set up
XP and choose the C drive that you set up with the floppy.

Alias
Click to expand...

I found the software the hard drives came with, maxblast3

My situation is that the C drive is a raid array, and the Primary
Master in BIOS
is Disk F, which is the one the computer came with, and used to be the
C drive.

The primary IDE master is drive F, the secondary IDE master is the DVD
drive,
and the secondary IDE slave is the CD-ROM drive. The raid array is
not in there
at all. It is a SATA raid array, made of diamondmax drives.

Ok, I ran maxblast 3, and it said:

"MaxBlast3 will allow you to setup any Maxtor hard drive as
additional storage. Maxtor ATA and SCSI drives can also be set up
as a new boot drive.

Maxblast3 will not allow you to format or partition your currently
installed
boot drive. "

It won't let me touch the raid array.

Oh, for the days when I could just run DOS and go "Format C!"

I never should have let that guy set up the raid array as the C
drive.
I don't even know what a Master Book Record is, or where to
find it.

Now the computer just zips right past the "boot from CD" line
without letting me choose that. I get to see it but not touch it.
Can I kill this thing?
 
Also:

http://tinyurl.com/2gt4vz

I don't see how to make a bootable disk from the maxblast site.

It has software and instructions only for setting up a new
installation.

This is a serious error in the whole process. I need
access to format the drive!
 
On 3/30/2007 6:01 PM On a whim, kohlrabi_croce pounded out on the keyboard
I found the software the hard drives came with, maxblast3

My situation is that the C drive is a raid array, and the Primary
Master in BIOS
is Disk F, which is the one the computer came with, and used to be the
C drive.

The primary IDE master is drive F, the secondary IDE master is the DVD
drive,
and the secondary IDE slave is the CD-ROM drive. The raid array is
not in there
at all. It is a SATA raid array, made of diamondmax drives.

Ok, I ran maxblast 3, and it said:

"MaxBlast3 will allow you to setup any Maxtor hard drive as
additional storage. Maxtor ATA and SCSI drives can also be set up
as a new boot drive.

Maxblast3 will not allow you to format or partition your currently
installed
boot drive. "

It won't let me touch the raid array.

Oh, for the days when I could just run DOS and go "Format C!"

I never should have let that guy set up the raid array as the C
drive.
I don't even know what a Master Book Record is, or where to
find it.

Now the computer just zips right past the "boot from CD" line
without letting me choose that. I get to see it but not touch it.
Can I kill this thing?
Click to expand...

In the BIOS you can turn RAID off. Doing so I think will separate the
drives and render the data useless. SAVE any important data prior to
doing this. You also have a RAID BIOS access screen just after the BIOS
displays. Pay close attention to the access key combination when the
screen displays and see if you can turn RAID off from there also, or
what your options are concerning the RAID config.

Then you should be able to separate them into two separate drives, or
reconfigure the RAID, and format.


--
Terry

***Reply Note***
Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.
Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.
 
On 3/30/2007 6:01 PM On a whim, kohlrabi_croce pounded out on the keyboard














In the BIOS you can turn RAID off. Doing so I think will separate the
drives and render the data useless. SAVE any important data prior to
doing this. You also have a RAID BIOS access screen just after the BIOS
displays. Pay close attention to the access key combination when the
screen displays and see if you can turn RAID off from there also, or
what your options are concerning the RAID config.

Then you should be able to separate them into two separate drives, or
reconfigure the RAID, and format.
Click to expand...


That worked, thank you. I didn't have to re-format anything.
The F drive automatically turned into the C drive which was
what I wanted. I re-initialized the raid array, which is now the
F drive. Yay!

Now I will keep the new C drive for the OS only so I can
reformat it any time I want, as much and as often as I want!

Thanks!
 
On 3/30/2007 7:29 PM On a whim, kohlrabi_croce pounded out on the keyboard
That worked, thank you. I didn't have to re-format anything.
The F drive automatically turned into the C drive which was
what I wanted. I re-initialized the raid array, which is now the
F drive. Yay!

Now I will keep the new C drive for the OS only so I can
reformat it any time I want, as much and as often as I want!

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Glad to hear it worked. Don't forget to backup often!

--
Terry

***Reply Note***
Anti-spam measures are included in my email address.
Delete NOSPAM from the email address after clicking Reply.
 
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