Can't format - drive in use

[Allan M.]

Every attempt to format my primary drive fails because I
receive a drive in use or access denied message. I am
logged on as an admin. Tried forcing a dismount using
the format /x command and other utilities.

Any ideas would be appreciated and might reward you with
a cool T-shirt

Thanks
Allan M

[Crusty \(-: Old B@stard :-\)]

Of course it in use! You're using the operating system, aren't you! You
can't pull the carpet from beneath your feet while you are standing on it.

Format the correct way - during the install of the operating system - after
booting up from the Windows XP CD!

"Allan M." > wrote in message
...
> Every attempt to format my primary drive fails because I
> receive a drive in use or access denied message. I am
> logged on as an admin. Tried forcing a dismount using
> the format /x command and other utilities.
>
> Any ideas would be appreciated and might reward you with
> a cool T-shirt
>
> Thanks
> Allan M

[Bruce]

Allan
It depends on what your desired outcome is for formatting your system drive.
If you're wanting to format it and reinstall XP, then you need to boot to
the XP CD and in that is an option to format during the reinstall process.
See the below link for some good information on how to do a clean install.
As Crusty said, while your running Windows, you can't format teh
drive/partition that has windows on it.

http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp

Now, if you've got some other purposes for the reformat, then if you'd tell
me/us, then we could give you clearer advice.

--
Bruce
"Allan M." > wrote in message
...
> Every attempt to format my primary drive fails because I
> receive a drive in use or access denied message. I am
> logged on as an admin. Tried forcing a dismount using
> the format /x command and other utilities.
>
> Any ideas would be appreciated and might reward you with
> a cool T-shirt
>
> Thanks
> Allan M

[Allan]

Crusty answered my question - same answer as yours.
Exactly the info I needed.
Thanks
>-----Original Message-----
>Allan
>It depends on what your desired outcome is for
formatting your system drive.
>If you're wanting to format it and reinstall XP, then
you need to boot to
>the XP CD and in that is an option to format during the
reinstall process.
>See the below link for some good information on how to
do a clean install.
>As Crusty said, while your running Windows, you can't
format teh
>drive/partition that has windows on it.
>
>http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.a
sp
>
>Now, if you've got some other purposes for the reformat,
then if you'd tell
>me/us, then we could give you clearer advice.
>
>--
>Bruce
>"Allan M." > wrote in message
...
>> Every attempt to format my primary drive fails because
I
>> receive a drive in use or access denied message. I am
>> logged on as an admin. Tried forcing a dismount using
>> the format /x command and other utilities.
>>
>> Any ideas would be appreciated and might reward you
with
>> a cool T-shirt
>>
>> Thanks
>> Allan M
>
>
>.
>

[Allan]

So Crusty, I have a Sobe T-Shirt, a Sacramento Kings T-
Shirt or a strange looking MAD Mag T-Shirt. Which one
and where do I ship. Exactly the info I needed.
Formatted the hard drive the right way. Thanks
Allan
>-----Original Message-----
>Of course it in use! You're using the operating system,
aren't you! You
>can't pull the carpet from beneath your feet while you
are standing on it.
>
>Format the correct way - during the install of the
operating system - after
>booting up from the Windows XP CD!
>
>"Allan M." > wrote in message
...
>> Every attempt to format my primary drive fails because
I
>> receive a drive in use or access denied message. I am
>> logged on as an admin. Tried forcing a dismount using
>> the format /x command and other utilities.
>>
>> Any ideas would be appreciated and might reward you
with
>> a cool T-shirt
>>
>> Thanks
>> Allan M
>
>
>.
>

[Crusty \(-: Old B@stard :-\)]

Did you even read the part about booting from the Windows XP CD?

Didn't think so! If you can read and follow instructions, it is quite clear
when they ask you if you want to format.

"Allan" > wrote in message
...
> So Crusty, I have a Sobe T-Shirt, a Sacramento Kings T-
> Shirt or a strange looking MAD Mag T-Shirt. Which one
> and where do I ship. Exactly the info I needed.
> Formatted the hard drive the right way. Thanks
> Allan
> >-----Original Message-----
> >Of course it in use! You're using the operating system,
> aren't you! You
> >can't pull the carpet from beneath your feet while you
> are standing on it.
> >
> >Format the correct way - during the install of the
> operating system - after
> >booting up from the Windows XP CD!
> >
> >"Allan M." > wrote in message
> ...
> >> Every attempt to format my primary drive fails because
> I
> >> receive a drive in use or access denied message. I am
> >> logged on as an admin. Tried forcing a dismount using
> >> the format /x command and other utilities.
> >>
> >> Any ideas would be appreciated and might reward you
> with
> >> a cool T-shirt
> >>
> >> Thanks
> >> Allan M
> >
> >
> >.
> >