Unable to Format Hard Disk Partition

[Yagyesh Sharma]

I have few Desktop Computers in our office running Windows XP SP3, in which I
am not able to format a partition of the same disk on which Windows XP is
also installed on the partition.

Notes:-
1. The computers are Lenovo ThinkCentre machines, M/T: 8985-A23, and out of
warranty.
2. I have partitioned, and then formatted them newly.
3. In total, I created 2 partitions while installing XP on them (20GB, and
55GB).
4. Then I installed XP on the 20GB partition formatting it with the NTFS
file system.
5. All the computers are running updated Symantec EndPoint Protection
anti-virus.

Problem: I am not able to format the 55GB partition.

Messages:-
1. While trying to format the partition from "Disk Management" under
"Computer Management," I get the following message,
"The volume (D Logical drive is currenly in use. To force the format of
this volume, click Yes.
Warning: Forcing a format might cause unexpected errors in the application
that is using this volume. Do you want to continue?"
2. Upon choosing 'Yes' for the above, I get the following message from the
'Logical Disk Manager',
"The request cannot be completed because the volume is open or in use."
3. If I open the Explorer Window, and double click the D: volume, I get the
following message:-
"D:\ is not accessible.
The parameter is incorrect."

What I have tried:-
1. I used "Sysinternals Process Explorer" to see which process is using the
partition "D:/". But strangely, there was none!
2. CHKDSK D: /F /R /X
The message returned by the command is:-
"The tpe of the file system is RAW.
CHKDSK is not available for RAW drives."

Requests:-
1. Could you please help in solving the problem?
2. Could you suggest the reason for the problem?
3. Is there any other way than the "Sysinternals Process Explorer" to see
which process is using the partition as suggested by the messages from the
operating system?

Many thanks in advance for your precious time, and help!
Regards,
Yagyesh

 

[smlunatick]

I have few Desktop Computers in our office running Windows XP SP3, in which I
am not able to format a partition of the same disk on which Windows XP is
also installed on the partition.

Notes:-
1. The computers are Lenovo ThinkCentre machines, M/T: 8985-A23, and out of
warranty.
2. I have partitioned, and then formatted them newly.
3. In total, I created 2 partitions while installing XP on them (20GB, and
55GB).
4. Then I installed XP on the 20GB partition formatting it with the NTFS
file system.
5. All the computers are running updated Symantec EndPoint Protection
anti-virus.

Problem: I am not able to format the 55GB partition.

Messages:-
1. While trying to format the partition from "Disk Management" under
"Computer Management," I get the following message,
"The volume (D Logical drive is currenly in use. To force the format of
this volume, click Yes.
Warning: Forcing a format might cause unexpected errors in the application
that is using this volume. Do you want to continue?"
2. Upon choosing 'Yes' for the above, I get the following message from the
'Logical Disk Manager',
"The request cannot be completed because the volume is open or in use."
3. If I open the Explorer Window, and double click the D: volume, I get the
following message:-
"D:\ is not accessible.
The parameter is incorrect."

What I have tried:-
1. I used "Sysinternals Process Explorer" to see which process is using the
partition "D:/". But strangely, there was none!
2. CHKDSK D: /F /R /X
The message returned by the command is:-
"The tpe of the file system is RAW.
CHKDSK is not available for RAW drives."

Requests:-
1. Could you please help in solving the problem?
2. Could you suggest the reason for the problem?
3. Is there any other way than the "Sysinternals Process Explorer" to see
which process is using the partition as suggested by the messages from the
operating system?

Many thanks in advance for your precious time, and help!
Regards,
Yagyesh

Please confirm that D: is truly the second partition. It seems that
the systems might be confused with the optical drive.

 

[Yagyesh Sharma]

Thanks for your reply smlunatick. But what do you mean by saying "truly the
second partition," and how to check this please?

 

[Yagyesh Sharma]

Thanks for your reply Andy. I'm sorry as I could not check this today because
I was in other office. But I want to tell you that I deleted and recreated
the partition by running the XP Setup. I shall get back to you tomorrow after
performing what you have asked for. Thank you

 

[Yagyesh Sharma]

Thank you both Andy and Smlunatick!
As Andy suggested, deleting, and recreating the partition in Disk
Management, worked. I am now able to format the 55GB partition.
Thanks a ton!
Regards,
Yagyesh