how to reformat C drive from command prompt

[Doctor Joe]

I tried to use the Windows 2000 CD to reformat my PC, but
there was no option to re-format the drive (No
partitions). I chose the options to do a clean install
of the new copy of the operating system, but this did not
reformat the drive as I intended.

So, in Windows 2000, I went to the command prompt and
typed: format C: "Are You Sure?" "Yes" Then I got
the message:

Format cannot run because the volume is in use by another
process. Format may run if the volume is dismounted
first. All opned handles to this volume would then be
invalid. Would you like to force a dismount on this
volume?

I answered Yes
Then: "Cannot ... Volume is still in use"

Question: I do I reformat my C drive, and is there an
easier way to do this using the new Windows 2000 CD? If
I reformat the C drive, will I need to find and install a
driver for my hard drive, etc?

 

[Oli Restorick [MVP]]

If you want to totally wipe your hard drive, just boot off the Windows 2000.
When prompted to choose a partition to install to, delete the existing
partition and create a new one in ints place. Then install to that.

Hope this helps

Oli

 

[William Hymen]

All operating systems, not just 2000, open and "lock" volumes
when running. That is why you can't reformat a running instance of
Windows.

I reformat hard drives all the time ... off a boot floppy.
Just create a Windows 98 (DOS7) boot floppy and
grab a copy (legally) of gdisk.exe which runs off dos.

Gdisk from Symantic will let you delete/create/format/label everything on
the fly.
Example:

GDISK 1 /DEL /ALL /Y
GDISK 1 /CRE /FOR /PRI /Q /Y /VISK_LABEL

Then use GHOST to recreate the partition from your backup image
(You DID create one, yes?)

GHOST -SURE -FX -CLONE,MODE=PLOAD,SRC=F:\C_2K_1ST.GHO:1,DST=1:1

done!

Hope this helps

Bill

 

[Joey]

Use the Windows 2000 CD to boot your computer to the first Windows
Installation screen. Choose option R to repair the computer using
reovery console. A DOS screen will come up and ask you to log onto
Windows. Choose your windows installtion, usually 1, you also may
have to enter the computer's administrator password. Then hit enter.
At the command prompt, type

FORMAT C:
Y - Yes

This should work for you. Its how I always format my hard drives.
Let me know if it works, and if it doesn't I will tell you another,
LONGER, way.



Joey