Clearing a second hard disc

[Linz]

I fitted an additional second hard disk to a friends computer the other day
running XP. (for file storage)
It was 40 GB that I previously had in my computer that I replaced with a
larger one a few years ago.
Still had on it Win 98, files and programs that I wanted to remove.
After starting the second time came up with the duel boot option. Found out
how to stop that.
I then deleted the files I could but some remained. I had show hidden files
and folders enabled.
Next I ran format from the dos prompt (not in Windows) as it wouldn't format
in windows The same files still remained. (3)

Finally set the new drive to share and accessed via the network on another
computer.
On the networked computer I viewed the drive and saw the three plus about
ten more I couldn't see on the computer with the drive.
Deleted them via the network. Job done.

What would have been a simpler easy and correct way to empty the drive?

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

I fitted an additional second hard disk to a friends computer the other day
running XP. (for file storage)
It was 40 GB that I previously had in my computer that I replaced with a
larger one a few years ago.
Still had on it Win 98, files and programs that I wanted to remove.
After starting the second time came up with the duel boot option. Found
out how to stop that.
I then deleted the files I could but some remained. I had show hidden
files and folders enabled.
Next I ran format from the dos prompt (not in Windows) as it wouldn't
format in windows The same files still remained. (3)

Finally set the new drive to share and accessed via the network on another
computer.
On the networked computer I viewed the drive and saw the three plus about
ten more I couldn't see on the computer with the drive.
Deleted them via the network. Job done.

What would have been a simpler easy and correct way to empty the drive?

- Click Start / Run / diskmgmt.msc
- Format the second disk.
Problem solved!

 

[Linz]

- Click Start / Run / diskmgmt.msc
- Format the second disk.
Problem solved!

Thanks I'll remember that.

Where do I say which disc? <D> in this case as I don't want to format <C>.Or
does it ask that next?

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Thanks I'll remember that.

Where do I say which disc? <D> in this case as I don't want to format
<C>.Or does it ask that next?

The Disk Manager shows you clearly which disk is which.

 

[Linz]

- Click Start / Run / diskmgmt.msc
- Format the second disk.
Problem solved!

Tried that but via the control panel/administrative tools. Format option
greyed out.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Tried that but via the control panel/administrative tools. Format option
greyed out.

Try it again in Safe Mode while logged on as Administrator.

 

[Linz]

Try it again in Safe Mode while logged on as Administrator.

Tried that both as administrator and my login in safe mode on my computer
which is duel boot. XP & 98 on two discs.
The one I tried this on the other day was not mine but mine is the same
setup. Except duel boot enabled on mine.
Format still greyed out in safe mode.

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Tried that both as administrator and my login in safe mode on my computer
which is duel boot. XP & 98 on two discs.
The one I tried this on the other day was not mine but mine is the same
setup. Except duel boot enabled on mine.
Format still greyed out in safe mode.

Try deleting, then recreating the partition. If this is greyed out too
then you have some application that locks the disk. What it is I cannot
tell - it is your machine.

You can, of course, use a sledge hammer. It's dangerous because
it will delete the selected partition without asking any silly questions.
- Boot the machine with a Win98 boot disk from www.bootdisk.com.
- Delete the recalcitrant partition with delpart.exe from
http://www.russelltexas.com/delpart.htm