reformatting drive

[Guest]

I have tried selecting Format on the C drive, but get a
message that reads "Windows cannot format this drive.
Quit any disk utilities, or any other programs that are
using this drive, and make sure that no window is
displaying the contents of this drive then try formatting
again." I want to reformat then install XP. I have a
virus on the drive, so do not want to install over 2000.
Thanks for any suggestions!

 

[molsonexpert]

I have tried selecting Format on the C drive, but get a
message that reads "Windows cannot format this drive.
Quit any disk utilities, or any other programs that are
using this drive, and make sure that no window is
displaying the contents of this drive then try formatting
again." I want to reformat then install XP. I have a
virus on the drive, so do not want to install over 2000.
Thanks for any suggestions!

First question: is C your boot and/or system drive? Second: where are
running the format from? I'm assuming the W2K install CD.

steve.

 

[Guest]

I don't have the 2000 CD

-----Original Message-----



I'm not sure how yout trying to Format the drive but if you want a clean
install then aset your BIOS to boot from CD Rom and then boot with the XP
disk in, I think however this may be just a little to complicated for you
judging from your post and as such you may want to get someone who has a
little more experience to do it for you

Jud


.

 

[Guillermo]

Well, from what I understand, you are trying to format from within your
current Windows 2000 installation, and that is impossible because you'll be
erasing the files taht are necessary for windows to run.
As Jud said, you need to boot from the XP CD, and then reformat from there.
BUt first you need to set your BIOS so your machine boots from the CDROM
drive

guillermo

 

[Jud]

I have tried selecting Format on the C drive, but get a
message that reads "Windows cannot format this drive.
Quit any disk utilities, or any other programs that are
using this drive, and make sure that no window is
displaying the contents of this drive then try formatting
again." I want to reformat then install XP. I have a
virus on the drive, so do not want to install over 2000.
Thanks for any suggestions!

I'm not sure how yout trying to Format the drive but if you want a clean
install then aset your BIOS to boot from CD Rom and then boot with the XP
disk in, I think however this may be just a little to complicated for you
judging from your post and as such you may want to get someone who has a
little more experience to do it for you

Jud

 

[Jud]

Let me recap then, your trying to install XP, Do you have the XP Disk?
if not then how do you plan to install XP?
you dont need then 2000 Disk to install XP.

Please repost your query stating
What you are trying to achieve
What disks you do have
An idiot rating from 1 to 10 where 1 is equivalent to cow dung and 10 is 3
steps above my level (be honest)

Jud

 

[Guest]

My mission is to install XP. I have the XP CD. I now have
2000, and have a virus. Can't update McAfee to rid the
virus, because the virus has prevented me from opening
installation and exe files.

I will ignore your reference to cow dung and say that I
am more than average, computer literate and able to
follow directions and perform many computer functions.

I would appreciate any help, but if you feel that I can't
use your help, that is OK.

 

[Jud]

My mission is to install XP. I have the XP CD. I now have
2000, and have a virus. Can't update McAfee to rid the
virus, because the virus has prevented me from opening
installation and exe files.

I will ignore your reference to cow dung and say that I
am more than average, computer literate and able to
follow directions and perform many computer functions.

I would appreciate any help, but if you feel that I can't
use your help, that is OK.

I never likened you to cow dung I used that as an example of total
ineptitude, which you state that your not and grade yourself as a level 5.

My help is free as always and I like to feel that I am usually quite good
with the advice I dispense.

You have 2 choices

1 slave your infected disk to a good working machine and use that to clear
off the viruses,
2 restart your machine look for the message "Press... to enter setup, where
.... is sometimes DEL or F10 , when you get into setup look for the section
marked Boot Order and set it so that your CD rom boots first, place your XP
CD Rom in the drive and power up your machine

XP will now install and is a piece of urine to install , make sure you check
all your hardware is compatible with XP and that you have any drivers you
think you may need.

Good luck and let us know by posting a "RE : formatting drive" post when you
are done

Jud

 

[Guest]

If I choose option 2 and boot up from the xp cd, will the
virus remain? I attempted to clean the hard drive, but I
can't install the software necessary to do that.

Thanks!

 

[Janster]

If you boot from the XP cd it will do a reformat of the disk and any viruses
will be gone