How do i format the c:

[Brandon]

How in the world do i format my c: on windows xp. I have
tried the comand promp but when you put in the format
comand it says that there is a volume still open and asks
you if you want to close the volume. If you push yes it
always says cannot close it and closes the command prompt
window. If you can help me please send me a email @
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

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.

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/security/protect/

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

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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


| How in the world do i format my c: on windows xp. I have
| tried the comand promp but when you put in the format
| comand it says that there is a volume still open and asks
| you if you want to close the volume. If you push yes it
| always says cannot close it and closes the command prompt
| window. If you can help me please send me a email @
| (e-mail address removed)

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Brandon;
Are you attempting a Clean Installation of Windows XP:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/cleanxp.htm

 

[Bruce Chambers]

Greetings --

You're trying to format the drive from within WinXP. You can't.
This would be the computer equivalent of sawing off the tree limb
you're sitting on.

Simply boot from the WinXP 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


Bruce Chambers
--
Help us help you:



You can have peace. Or you can have freedom. Don't ever count on
having both at once. -- RAH

 

[madhupmehrotra_]

REPLY ---

Boot the computer when you reach the message starting-
just after SDRAM check is done Press DELETE OR F8 key to
load CMOS (I would even just press both keys alternately -
one of them would work) find boot sequence either in
standard or advance setup change all but last option to
boot from Floppy then insert Win 98 Boot disk to reboot
once loaded "Starting Windows 98 with CD ROM support" go
to A> prompt use command dir you would see Fdisk utility
load this by typing fdisk then first delete NON DOS
partiion then reboot computer with win98 disk again then
create DOS partion after secon d reboot now from A:>
format c: this should work.
Caution -- changes done by fdisk only take effect after
reboot.
If any problems let me know!

 

[Mike Hall]

Definitely a way to format c:, but maybe not in the users best interest..