Unable to Format...

[SecretNinja999]

I'm looking at formatting my WinXP Pro. box but I've run into some problems. I usually format from the Command Prompt but when I try, "Format C:" in the command prompt it says,

Format cannot run because the volume is in use by another
process. Format may run if this volume is dismounted first.
ALL OPENED HANDLES TO THIS VOLUME WOULD THEN BE INVALID.
Would you like to force a dismount on this volume? (Y/N)

I type Y to dismount but it says that it cannot be dismounted and thusly I cannot format.

Trying to format from the WinXP GUI I have no luck either, it says that other programs are accessing the hard drive and that they need to be terminated first. I've tried everything! Disk Management under Computer Management Tools doesn't give me the option to format either, I'm guessing because it's a smarter program and detects that other programs are accessing the HDD so it wouldn't be able to format.

So my question then, how can I format?

[fatal xception]

You can't format the partition you are using. If you are trying to format the the same partition, you will have to create a boot disk with format and fdisk (might as well rebuild the partition) and boot to the disk.

You might also be able to boot to the WinXp cd and run format from there, but I haven't tried that.

Good luck.

[SecretNinja999]

I want to be able to format the drive and make two partitions, one (a little 2.5GB) for WinXP itself and another for everything else. I can't figure this out at all.

HELP!

[fatal xception]

Create a boot disk with the fdisk program.

http://www.activewin.com/winxp/tips/basic/1.shtml

Those programs should be on there. FDISK may not, but you can get a full boot disk from here:

http://www.bootdisk.com/


Here are the steps running FDISK:

http://www.compguystechweb.com/troub...fdisk_scr.html

Once this is done, reboot your system with the XP CD in and it should ask you if you want to format the drives. Say yes to formatting both and you should be all set.

[SecretNinja999]

Which 'full bootdisk' am I supposed to download?

[fatal xception]

http://www.user-friendly.net/download/download.htm

Click on <boot98sc.exe>

Save it to your hdd. Insert a floppy and double click on it.

[storm2k]

if you know someone with partition magic, see if you can borrow their pm boot disks. pm uses a graphical, straightforward interface that you can use to partition drives.

if you'er gonna clean install xp, just leave space for the partition (create other extended partitions, but leave the primary unformatted) and let xp setup create an ntfs system. it will be much happer that way.

[surreal]

Quote:

if you know someone with partition magic,

Yep,, Formatting on the Fly is a big selling point of Partition Magic.

Very Cool Indeed..

[SecretNinja999]

Thanks for the help everyone!

I have formatted and installed WinXP on a 2.5GB partition and the rest is for everything else, both NTFS format.

Thanks for the help!

[fatal xception]

Congrats on making it through. I remember my first time...sniff.