dos wont let me format C:

[rickie]

I need to reload windows xp home, got many problems, even dos wont let me
format C.
promt says.... format cannot run because volume is in use by another
process. format may run if this volume is dismounted first.
ALL OPENED HANDLES TO THIS VOLUME WOULD THEN BE INVALID. would you like to
force a dismount on this volume? (Y/N)
can someone tell me what that means and what i can do?
thanks..........rickie

 

[Richard in AZ]

I need to reload windows xp home, got many problems, even dos wont let me
format C.
promt says.... format cannot run because volume is in use by another
process. format may run if this volume is dismounted first.
ALL OPENED HANDLES TO THIS VOLUME WOULD THEN BE INVALID. would you like to
force a dismount on this volume? (Y/N)
can someone tell me what that means and what i can do?
thanks..........rickie

Unless you are using a boot disk, you are not running DOS.
Are you trying to do the format from the "CMD" prompt? That is not DOS even
though it looks like it is.

You can format the drive right from the Windows XP installation disk.

 

[JS]

How to do a Clean Install of Windows XP

Start by changing the BIOS setting to Boot from CD drive first.
Then see below:

From Michael Steven's: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
more info: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/XPClean.htm
and: http://www.theeldergeek.com/clean_installation_of_windows_xp.htm
also: http://www.bootdisk.com/

Also make sure you have the drivers you need for your motherboard, video
card, sound card, Etc.
Try Belarc Advisor: http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
It does a good job of providing a wealth of information including software
Key codes
and Devices you will need Drivers for.

If you are doing a Clean Install on an existing PC that has XP already
Installed:
Verify your CD Key code matches what Belarc Advisor reports for your
existing install.
Note: OEM Windows Installs usually come with a sticker on the PC or laptop
and may not match the factory installed key.

Note:A number of vendors now supply restore CD(s) or have a restore
partition on the hard drive
and usually do not supply a Windows XP CD.

JS

 

[db.·.. >]

instead of reinstalling
windows you might
be able to repair it
with your windows
cd:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx

keep in mind that
the issues you are
experiencing may
also be a result of
faulty hardware.

so even if you repaired
or reinstalled windows,
the faulty hardware
will not allow a successful
installation.

perhaps you want to
share some details about
the problem.

however, reinstalling
windows is also a simple
option to take, if you
choose.

 

[rickie]

you are right richard...it is the command promt. but what does all that mean
about volume?
and...... there is an updated version of windows on my computer than is on
my origional disk, and the option to continue (on the windows setup screen)
is not hilighted to be able to click on it.

 

[rickie]

thank you much....rickie

It means the operating system is on C:. How can you format the
partition from which the operating system is running that loads the
format program? Just boot using the OS install CD and select the option
to format the partition.

 

[Bruce Chambers]

I need to reload windows xp home, got many problems, even dos wont let me
format C.

There is no DOS in WinXP. Are you referring to the Command Prompt?

promt says.... format cannot run because volume is in use by another
process. format may run if this volume is dismounted first.
ALL OPENED HANDLES TO THIS VOLUME WOULD THEN BE INVALID. would you like to
force a dismount on this volume? (Y/N)
can someone tell me what that means and what i can do?
thanks..........rickie

I suspect that you're trying to format the drive containing the
system volume from within WinXP. You can't. This would be the computer
equivalent of sawing off the tree limb you're sitting on, and WinXP is
"too smart" to allow this.

After backing up any data you wish to transfer to the new OS
installation,, simply boot from the WinXP Home installation CD. You'll
be offered the opportunity to delete, create, and format partitions as
part of the installation process. (You may need to re-arrange the order
of boot devices in the PC's BIOS to boot from the CD.)

HOW TO Install Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;316941

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm

Then the backed up data can be restored and applications re-installed.


--

Bruce Chambers

Help us help you:


http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

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