Setup was unable to format the partition!

[Mark Dudek]

Hey all...I am trying to re-install XP and want to format
my drive (17GB) using NTFS. I run into a problem when I
try to do a regular format as part of the setup program. I
get the error "Setup was unable to format the
partition. The disk may be damaged..."
Coincidentaly, I am able to conduct a quick format. I
would ultimately like to do the full blown format vs. the
quick format. Has anyone ran into similar problems? If so,
how did you resolve the issue? Thanks.

 

[Tommy]

hmmz, if you have a Win9x startup disk handy you could
always do an fdisk and that should help things out. I
pretty sure you can download those at www.bootdisk.com if
you don't have one.

 

[Harry Ohrn]

You could try repartitioning and reformatting using the Recovery Console.
Boot with the XP CD and at the first screen press "R" to enter the Recovery
Console. When prompted for a password just press the Enter Key to provide a
blank password. At the command prompt type

CHKDSK /F to find and repair any bad sectors.

Next repartition by removing and recreating your partition (s). So at the
command prompt type

DISKPART

you will see a screen which will enable you to select partitions to be
deleted and then create a partition in the empty space

When finished repartitioning type at the command prompt

FORMAT C: /FS:NTFS

that will format as NTFS and when finished type EXIT to quit the Recovery
Console and reboot. Now try running setup again

 

[Ron Rector]

Did you originally partition and format with parttion
magic? Do you have a drive overlay installed?

 

[W????n S.]

My last HD that did that had to be RTMed.

Run diagnostics on HD as well.

You could try repartitioning and reformatting using the Recovery Console.
Boot with the XP CD and at the first screen press "R" to enter the Recovery
Console. When prompted for a password just press the Enter Key to provide a
blank password. At the command prompt type

CHKDSK /F to find and repair any bad sectors.

Next repartition by removing and recreating your partition (s). So at the
command prompt type

DISKPART

you will see a screen which will enable you to select partitions to be
deleted and then create a partition in the empty space

When finished repartitioning type at the command prompt

FORMAT C: /FS:NTFS

that will format as NTFS and when finished type EXIT to quit the Recovery
Console and reboot. Now try running setup again


--

Harry Ohrn MS MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp

Hey all...I am trying to re-install XP and want to format
my drive (17GB) using NTFS. I run into a problem when I
try to do a regular format as part of the setup program. I
get the error "Setup was unable to format the
partition. The disk may be damaged..."
Coincidentaly, I am able to conduct a quick format. I
would ultimately like to do the full blown format vs. the
quick format. Has anyone ran into similar problems? If so,
how did you resolve the issue? Thanks.

 

[Alex Nichol]

Hey all...I am trying to re-install XP and want to format
my drive (17GB) using NTFS. I run into a problem when I
try to do a regular format as part of the setup program. I
get the error "Setup was unable to format the
partition. The disk may be damaged..."

Best, when Setup asks you where you want to install, is to hit ESC then
select and delete the partition concerned, and make a new 'Raw' one
which you format at the next stage