Format

[Earl Bross]

Hi Group,

I have recently had a large number of problems with 2 harddrives. Neither of
them lets me use the Windows XP (Home or Pro Edition)CD to get onto my
harddrive and format it completely. My only option available is to
purchase(or rent) a mechanical tool to format them here at home. Can anyone
recommend such a tool. What are they precisely called? I'd love to buy one
for home use.
I'd appreciate any and all help I could get.

Thanks

Earl (Canadian in germany)

[John Barnett - MVP]

Earl a bit more information is needed. Why exactly are you not able to
format from the Windows XP CD? When you boot your pc with the xp cd in your
cd-rom do you get the option to boot from cd? If you can boot from cd does
the windows xp setup program start? What file system are you using Fat32 or
Ntfs?
If you are using a Fat32 file system you can format the drive(s) using a
windows 98 or Me startup disk from the Dos prompt. If you haven't got one
then download one from www.bootdisk.com You will need to transfer the files
to a floppy disk but instructions for this should be on the site. Before you
attempt to format the drive make sure you have backed up all your important
documents and data. remember formatting destroys all the data on your hard
drive.
Insert the floppy into your floppy drive and reboot your machine. A menu
will appear. Select the option to boot with CD support. This will install
everything you need into your pc's memory. Once you have booted to the dos
'A' prompt type: 'format c:' (without the quotes) A message will appear
telling you that all data will be destroyed. You must accept this for the
format to continue. Your drive should then format. Please note, however,
that this disk does not work with an Ntfs file system. However, if you have
an Ntfs file system you can still boot up with the Windows 98/Me startup
disk and then use Fdisk to delete your hard drives partition. You should
then be able to use the windows xp cd to repartition your hard drive and
reinstall xp.
Your second hard drive you should be able to format from within windows xp.
Go to Control panel and click on the Administrative tools icon. Once the
admin tools window opens click the Computer management icon. on the left of
the screen you will see a list of options. Select Disk Management. A graph
of you drives will then appear. Right click on your second hard drive (on
the graph) and select Format from the drop down menu. The wizard will help
you format your second hard drive. On no account try to format the C: drive
using this method. You will be unable to format the C: drive because windows
is in use.

--
John Barnett - MVP
Associate Expert
www.freelanceit.glowinternet.net
"Earl Bross" > wrote in message
...
> Hi Group,
>
> I have recently had a large number of problems with 2 harddrives. Neither
> of
> them lets me use the Windows XP (Home or Pro Edition)CD to get onto my
> harddrive and format it completely. My only option available is to
> purchase(or rent) a mechanical tool to format them here at home. Can
> anyone
> recommend such a tool. What are they precisely called? I'd love to buy one
> for home use.
> I'd appreciate any and all help I could get.
>
> Thanks
>
> Earl (Canadian in germany)
>
>

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

I have no idea what method you are using in an attempt to reformat
your drives, but a "mechanical tool" is not one I'm familiar with. I can
propose two methods to help you out.

Method #1

The Windows XP CD is bootable and contains all the tools necessary
to partition and format your drive. Follow this procedure and allow
Windows XP to partition and format your drive:

NOTE: It would be best to physically disconnect all your peripheral hardware
devices, except the monitor, mouse and keyboard, before installing XP.

NOTE: If you have an internal Zip Drive installed, physically disconnect the
EIDE and power cable to it before proceeding, otherwise your main
hard drive may not be assigned the customary C: drive letter.
After installing Windows XP, you may then reconnect it.

1. Open your BIOS and set your "CD Drive as the first bootable device".

===> Accessing Motherboard BIOS
===> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

2. Insert your Windows XP CD in the CD Drive and reboot your computer.
3. You'll see a message to boot to the CD....follow the instructions.
4. The setup menu will appear and you should elect to delete all the existing
Windows partitions, then create a new partition, then format the primary
partition (preferably NTFS) and proceed to install Windows XP.

5. Clean Install Windows XP
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

[Courtesy of Michael Stevens, MS-MVP]

6. ==> Immediately after installing Windows XP, turn on XP's Firewall.
==> http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

7. After Windows XP is installed, visit the Windows Update website
and download the available "Critical Updates".

8. After installing the critical updates, be sure and visit the support website
of the manufacturer of the computer to download and install any
available Windows XP compatible drivers, such as video adapter
and audio drivers.

9. If you happen to run into any installation difficulties, use the following resources:

How to Troubleshoot Windows XP Problems During Installation
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;310064

Troubleshooting Windows XP Setup
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_setup.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Kelly Theriot]

Method #2

DriveScrubber is a utility designed to securely wipe all data
from any hard or floppy drive, regardless of its file format or
operating system. Its purpose is to ensure the safety, privacy,
and security of private, personal, confidential, or proprietary
information. You can try it free for thirty days.
http://www.iolo.com/ds/


--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Earl Bross" > wrote in message:
...

| Hi Group,
|
| I have recently had a large number of problems with 2 harddrives. Neither of
| them lets me use the Windows XP (Home or Pro Edition)CD to get onto my
| harddrive and format it completely. My only option available is to
| purchase(or rent) a mechanical tool to format them here at home. Can anyone
| recommend such a tool. What are they precisely called? I'd love to buy one
| for home use.
| I'd appreciate any and all help I could get.
|
| Thanks
|
| Earl (Canadian in germany)

[Earl]

Hi John,

first of all, it is ntfs. It is a 80GB Toshiba harddrive from my laptop and
I have had it partitioned and two OS are on it.One XP Pro and one XP Home.
Problem: It is thoroughly infected; from top to bottom and to repair both OS
would simply take too long. All necessary information has been put onto CD
and virus checked. Everything okay as far as that goes. BUT, when I try
starting up with one or the other CD's, it doesn't allow me to format
anymore. When I try to format one partition, it tells me that I am not
allowed to while temporary data is on that drive that is needed for the
other drive. And exactly the same is said when I try to format the other
partition.
Sort of a vicious circle. I have never experienced this problem before. The
last time I threw the CD in, everything was automatic and it went really
well without a hitch. But I think that the viruses may have screwed up
something from the inside of the drive. But I can't imagine what.

Any other thoughts?
:-)

Earl


"John Barnett - MVP" > wrote in message
...
> Earl a bit more information is needed. Why exactly are you not able to
> format from the Windows XP CD? When you boot your pc with the xp cd in
your
> cd-rom do you get the option to boot from cd? If you can boot from cd does
> the windows xp setup program start? What file system are you using Fat32
or
> Ntfs?
> If you are using a Fat32 file system you can format the drive(s) using a
> windows 98 or Me startup disk from the Dos prompt. If you haven't got one
> then download one from www.bootdisk.com You will need to transfer the
files
> to a floppy disk but instructions for this should be on the site. Before
you
> attempt to format the drive make sure you have backed up all your
important
> documents and data. remember formatting destroys all the data on your hard
> drive.
> Insert the floppy into your floppy drive and reboot your machine. A menu
> will appear. Select the option to boot with CD support. This will install
> everything you need into your pc's memory. Once you have booted to the dos
> 'A' prompt type: 'format c:' (without the quotes) A message will appear
> telling you that all data will be destroyed. You must accept this for the
> format to continue. Your drive should then format. Please note, however,
> that this disk does not work with an Ntfs file system. However, if you
have
> an Ntfs file system you can still boot up with the Windows 98/Me startup
> disk and then use Fdisk to delete your hard drives partition. You should
> then be able to use the windows xp cd to repartition your hard drive and
> reinstall xp.
> Your second hard drive you should be able to format from within windows
xp.
> Go to Control panel and click on the Administrative tools icon. Once the
> admin tools window opens click the Computer management icon. on the left
of
> the screen you will see a list of options. Select Disk Management. A graph
> of you drives will then appear. Right click on your second hard drive (on
> the graph) and select Format from the drop down menu. The wizard will help
> you format your second hard drive. On no account try to format the C:
drive
> using this method. You will be unable to format the C: drive because
windows
> is in use.
>
> --
> John Barnett - MVP
> Associate Expert
> www.freelanceit.glowinternet.net
> "Earl Bross" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Hi Group,
> >
> > I have recently had a large number of problems with 2 harddrives.
Neither
> > of
> > them lets me use the Windows XP (Home or Pro Edition)CD to get onto my
> > harddrive and format it completely. My only option available is to
> > purchase(or rent) a mechanical tool to format them here at home. Can
> > anyone
> > recommend such a tool. What are they precisely called? I'd love to buy
one
> > for home use.
> > I'd appreciate any and all help I could get.
> >
> > Thanks
> >
> > Earl (Canadian in germany)
> >
> >
>
>

[John Barnett - MVP]

Earl if you can get to the format section of the windows xp setup then you
might find it easier to perhaps delete the partition. Take a look at my
website www.freelanceit.glowinternet.net Click the WinXP Faq button and take
a look at question 41 This will guide you through creating a new partition
etc.

--
John Barnett - MVP
Associate Expert
www.freelanceit.glowinternet.net
"Earl" > wrote in message
...
> Hi John,
>
> first of all, it is ntfs. It is a 80GB Toshiba harddrive from my laptop
> and
> I have had it partitioned and two OS are on it.One XP Pro and one XP Home.
> Problem: It is thoroughly infected; from top to bottom and to repair both
> OS
> would simply take too long. All necessary information has been put onto CD
> and virus checked. Everything okay as far as that goes. BUT, when I try
> starting up with one or the other CD's, it doesn't allow me to format
> anymore. When I try to format one partition, it tells me that I am not
> allowed to while temporary data is on that drive that is needed for the
> other drive. And exactly the same is said when I try to format the other
> partition.
> Sort of a vicious circle. I have never experienced this problem before.
> The
> last time I threw the CD in, everything was automatic and it went really
> well without a hitch. But I think that the viruses may have screwed up
> something from the inside of the drive. But I can't imagine what.
>
> Any other thoughts?
> :-)
>
> Earl
>
>
> "John Barnett - MVP" > wrote in message
> ...
>> Earl a bit more information is needed. Why exactly are you not able to
>> format from the Windows XP CD? When you boot your pc with the xp cd in
> your
>> cd-rom do you get the option to boot from cd? If you can boot from cd
>> does
>> the windows xp setup program start? What file system are you using Fat32
> or
>> Ntfs?
>> If you are using a Fat32 file system you can format the drive(s) using a
>> windows 98 or Me startup disk from the Dos prompt. If you haven't got one
>> then download one from www.bootdisk.com You will need to transfer the
> files
>> to a floppy disk but instructions for this should be on the site. Before
> you
>> attempt to format the drive make sure you have backed up all your
> important
>> documents and data. remember formatting destroys all the data on your
>> hard
>> drive.
>> Insert the floppy into your floppy drive and reboot your machine. A menu
>> will appear. Select the option to boot with CD support. This will install
>> everything you need into your pc's memory. Once you have booted to the
>> dos
>> 'A' prompt type: 'format c:' (without the quotes) A message will appear
>> telling you that all data will be destroyed. You must accept this for the
>> format to continue. Your drive should then format. Please note, however,
>> that this disk does not work with an Ntfs file system. However, if you
> have
>> an Ntfs file system you can still boot up with the Windows 98/Me startup
>> disk and then use Fdisk to delete your hard drives partition. You should
>> then be able to use the windows xp cd to repartition your hard drive and
>> reinstall xp.
>> Your second hard drive you should be able to format from within windows
> xp.
>> Go to Control panel and click on the Administrative tools icon. Once the
>> admin tools window opens click the Computer management icon. on the left
> of
>> the screen you will see a list of options. Select Disk Management. A
>> graph
>> of you drives will then appear. Right click on your second hard drive (on
>> the graph) and select Format from the drop down menu. The wizard will
>> help
>> you format your second hard drive. On no account try to format the C:
> drive
>> using this method. You will be unable to format the C: drive because
> windows
>> is in use.
>>
>> --
>> John Barnett - MVP
>> Associate Expert
>> www.freelanceit.glowinternet.net
>> "Earl Bross" > wrote in message
>> ...
>> > Hi Group,
>> >
>> > I have recently had a large number of problems with 2 harddrives.
> Neither
>> > of
>> > them lets me use the Windows XP (Home or Pro Edition)CD to get onto my
>> > harddrive and format it completely. My only option available is to
>> > purchase(or rent) a mechanical tool to format them here at home. Can
>> > anyone
>> > recommend such a tool. What are they precisely called? I'd love to buy
> one
>> > for home use.
>> > I'd appreciate any and all help I could get.
>> >
>> > Thanks
>> >
>> > Earl (Canadian in germany)
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)]

Assuming your system is set to boot from the CD-ROM drive, boot with the XP
CD in the drive. If it isn't or you are not sure, you need to enter the
system's BIOS. When you boot the system, the first screen usually has
instructions that if you wish to enter setup press a specific key, when you
see that, do so. Then you will have to navigate to the boot sequence, if
the CD-ROM drive is not first line, set it first in the boot sequence. Save
your settings and exit with the XP CD in the drive. The system will reboot.

A few screens into the boot process, if you see the message on the boot
screen to "Press any key in order to boot from the CD," do so.

After loading drivers and files, you should be taken to a screen with
the following:

To Setup Windows XP now, press ENTER.
To Repair a Windows XP Installation using Recovery Console press R.
To Quit setup without installing Windows XP, press F3.

In your case, press ENTER.

Agree to the License agreement by pressing F8.

You will then be taken to a screen with two options.

To repair the selected Windows XP installation press R.
To continue installing a fresh copy of Windows XP without repairing,
press ESC.

This will bring you to a partition map where you
can delete, create and format partitions.
Select the drive you wish to format, delete the partition, then create a new
partition, format as desired and continue with XP installation.

--
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/

"Earl Bross" > wrote in message
...
> Hi Group,
>
> I have recently had a large number of problems with 2 harddrives. Neither
> of
> them lets me use the Windows XP (Home or Pro Edition)CD to get onto my
> harddrive and format it completely. My only option available is to
> purchase(or rent) a mechanical tool to format them here at home. Can
> anyone
> recommend such a tool. What are they precisely called? I'd love to buy one
> for home use.
> I'd appreciate any and all help I could get.
>
> Thanks
>
> Earl (Canadian in germany)
>
>