Win 2000

[Bruce Stokes]

I am trying to install anything on an old (seven years) computer. First it
has an 8 gig HD. I created a single partition, but was unable to format for
some reason. What would cause it to not allow formatting?
After trying to install XP it said I need 64 megs of RAM so I tried Win 2000
which requires 32 according the start of the installation. I added the
extra RAM which is now 32.5 +/-. The setup goes fine including the format
of the HD - then when it starts the installation, i.e. the recognizing of
the hardware connected to the PC - the only thing connected is the monitor,
mouse and keyboard. It gets 1/3rd of the way through this step and freezes
every time and will not continue even after running the install a second
time choosing the Repair option.

Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Bruce Stokes

 

[Bob I]

Look here to see if you have a fighting chance of success.

Latest Windows 2000 and Windows NT Hardware Compatibility List (HCL)
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;131303

 

[Bruce Stokes]

OK let´s forget XP & Win 2000. Why can´t I format the HD. It takes
FDISK - no problem and with a valid partition I can´t format - it gives and
error.
I have done diagnostics on everything, motherboard, HD, etc. and everything
shows good. I feel if I could format then I could at least install Win 98
2nd edition, but the way it is it won´t recognize the CD Rom even though I
choose YES for CD Rom when booting up with a 98 SE diskette.

HELP. Stumped!!!

 

[Bob I]

Um, you said that it formatted fine, earlier!

OK let´s forget XP & Win 2000. Why can´t I format the HD. It takes
FDISK - no problem and with a valid partition I can´t format - it gives and
error.
I have done diagnostics on everything, motherboard, HD, etc. and everything
shows good. I feel if I could format then I could at least install Win 98
2nd edition, but the way it is it won´t recognize the CD Rom even though I
choose YES for CD Rom when booting up with a 98 SE diskette.

HELP. Stumped!!!

 

[Bruce Stokes]

You are right - when it was doing the Win 2000 install it found the HD was
not formatted so it did it during the install, but after when I had problems
with the install not finishing, I tried the Win 98 Se diskette again and it
still won´t format again.

 

[tg]

You are right - when it was doing the Win 2000 install it found the HD was
not formatted so it did it during the install, but after when I had
problems
with the install not finishing, I tried the Win 98 Se diskette again and
it
still won´t format again.

that's probably because W2K formatted it as an NTFS drive (?)
this would confuse the hell out of a Win98 diskette, which only understands
FAT32. You need to fdisk the drive again with a Win98 boot floppy disc and
then format it using the same boot floppy disc.

 

[Bruce Stokes]

No - I had the option of NTFS or Fat 32. I chose Fat 32 since I have run
into that problem many times before.
Again, when I type format c: it gives an error.

 

[Steve N.]

No - I had the option of NTFS or Fat 32. I chose Fat 32 since I have run
into that problem many times before.
Again, when I type format c: it gives an error.

What specific error? It might help to diagnose what the problem is
knowing the specific error.

Also, have you tried a zero-fill on the drive and then partition and format?

Steve

 

[Bruce Stokes]

Please explain Zero-fill.
When trying to format I get cancel, retry, etc.

 

[Richard Urban]

Delete partition, create partition, format partition

--
Regards,

Richard Urban

aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard

If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

 

[Steve N.]

Please explain Zero-fill.

Writes zeroes to every sector on the hard drive, completely overwriting
any information that may be on the drive including partition(s), boot
sector, MBR. You should be able to download a utility to do this from
the hard drive manufacturer.

When trying to format I get cancel, retry, etc.

You're ommiting some info; what precedes the cancel, retry, etc? Post
the complete error please and the exact steps you are taking to format
the drive.

Steve