Cannot Format CDrive?

I go through all steps to get to Computer Mgmt/Disk Mgmt. Screen

When I right click CDrive to select format, the computer will not allow me
to select format. It's there, but in grey and is un-selectable

I suspect it has something to do with the fact that since I am running
windows form the CDrive I can't format the CDrive as files are allocated?

So how do I format the CDrive when running Windows, or for that matter how
do I format it at all?

I need to Format the drive as opposed to repair it as I am giving the
computer away with a clean drive.

"ArtReid" wrote in message ...



I go through all steps to get to Computer Mgmt/Disk Mgmt. Screen

When I right click CDrive to select format, the computer will not allow me
to select format. It's there, but in grey and is un-selectable

I suspect it has something to do with the fact that since I am running
windows form the CDrive I can't format the CDrive as files are allocated?

So how do I format the CDrive when running Windows, or for that matter how
do I format it at all?

ArtReid wrote:


I go through all steps to get to Computer Mgmt/Disk Mgmt. Screen

When I right click CDrive to select format, the computer will not allow
me to select format. It's there, but in grey and is un-selectable

I suspect it has something to do with the fact that since I am running
windows form the CDrive I can't format the CDrive as files are allocated?

So how do I format the CDrive when running Windows, or for that matter
how do I format it at all?



On my machine, I have a different OS on each of two hard drives.
If the C: on one hard drive needs maintenance, I boot the other
disk and OS.

This is why you want more than one OS. For maintenance.
Some OSes are free and some cost money. And some of
both can help.

Paul

Paul wrote:
ArtReid wrote:


I go through all steps to get to Computer Mgmt/Disk Mgmt. Screen

When I right click CDrive to select format, the computer will not
allow me to select format. It's there, but in grey and is un-selectable

I suspect it has something to do with the fact that since I am running
windows form the CDrive I can't format the CDrive as files are allocated?

So how do I format the CDrive when running Windows, or for that matter
how do I format it at all?



On my machine, I have a different OS on each of two hard drives.
If the C: on one hard drive needs maintenance, I boot the other
disk and OS.

This is why you want more than one OS. For maintenance.
Some OSes are free and some cost money. And some of
both can help.

Paul

It just occurred to me, you can do things by booting
the Windows 8 install DVD, and using the recovery console.
You can also burn a recovery console CD if you want.

It says here, "recdisc" works in Windows 8 but not Windows 8.1.
The recdisc makes the boot CD, if you lack an installer DVD to
boot from.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials...ndows-8-a.html

By selecting the "Command Prompt" option in there, you
get to the recovery console. It would support "diskpart",
which you execute as a command in the command line. In
diskpart, you select the target, before issuing the final
command. Which is the "format" in this case. If you want
to overwrite every sector, remove the word "quick".

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../cc770877.aspx

diskpart
list disk
select disk 1
list partition
select partition 2
format fs=ntfs label=Windows8 quick
exit

Paul

In the last episode of , "ArtReid"
said:

I go through all steps to get to Computer Mgmt/Disk Mgmt. Screen

When I right click CDrive to select format, the computer will not allow me
to select format. It's there, but in grey and is un-selectable

I suspect it has something to do with the fact that since I am running
windows form the CDrive I can't format the CDrive as files are allocated?

So how do I format the CDrive when running Windows, or for that matter how
do I format it at all?

In general, you don't format the partition that you're running from, you
boot from another partition/device to format that one.

What would you expect to happen if you formatted a drive that is in use?

--
Getting married for sex is like buying a 747 for the free peanuts
-- Jeff Foxworthy

ArtReid wrote:
I need to Format the drive as opposed to repair it as I am giving the
computer away with a clean drive.

"ArtReid" wrote in message ...



I go through all steps to get to Computer Mgmt/Disk Mgmt. Screen

When I right click CDrive to select format, the computer will not allow me
to select format. It's there, but in grey and is un-selectable

I suspect it has something to do with the fact that since I am running
windows form the CDrive I can't format the CDrive as files are allocated?

So how do I format the CDrive when running Windows, or for that matter how
do I format it at all?


DBAN. It's a relatively small download. You make
bootable media with it. It will erase the disk for you.
The file is actually hosted on sourceforge.

http://www.dban.org/download

http://sourceforge.net/projects/dban...6.iso/download

Make sure only the drive to be erased,
is plugged in. All other drives, backup drives
and the like, should be disconnected.

The original claims are, it could erase 100 drives
in parallel.

The single pass form of erasure is fine. If you select
35 pass (suited to ancient RLL or MFM style drives), that
will take all week. Modern drives, fewer passes are sufficient.
If you think the new owner isn't with the NSA, anywhere from
one to three passes is sufficient.

*******

I would also suggest SecureErase, but with DBAN there
is less to learn first. With the CMRR SecureErase thing,
you have to read the manual thoroughly, so you know what's
going to happen, and how the tool works. DBAN "just works",
by comparison, as it's just a drive writer. And works
reasonably quickly, if you avoid using the 35 pass option.

Paul

On Sat, 8 Mar 2014 09:41:38 -0500, "ArtReid"
wrote:

I go through all steps to get to Computer Mgmt/Disk Mgmt. Screen

When I right click CDrive to select format, the computer will not allow me
to select format. It's there, but in grey and is un-selectable

I suspect it has something to do with the fact that since I am running
windows form the CDrive I can't format the CDrive as files are allocated?

So how do I format the CDrive when running Windows, or for that matter how
do I format it at all?

I'm assuming you mean that you want to reformat the "C and D drives",
i.e. the hard drive(s) rather than the "CD drive", (which you couldn't
format anyway unless you had inserted a siutable type of disk).

If this is so, then you've almost answered your own question. The
system won't allow you to format the hard drive you've booted from, so
you'll have to boot from something else.

I see others have made a few suggestions, and they're all good, but
another possibility is the installation disk for Ubuntu or any of its
derivatives (Xubuntu, Kubuntu, Linux Mint etc). Boot from the CD or
DVD and after it's loaded there is an option to try the system without
installing. Look for a program called Gparted, which is a partition
editor, which will allow you to remove and recreate partitions, and
reformat them (to any system, including Windows).

If you want to reformat for security in order to sell an old computer,
you could actually install Ubuntu, as it will reformat to a different
system from Windows, which is probably a good way of obliterating any
previous data.

Rod.

ArtReid wrote:


I go through all steps to get to Computer Mgmt/Disk Mgmt. Screen

When I right click CDrive to select format, the computer will not allow
me to select format. It's there, but in grey and is un-selectable

I suspect it has something to do with the fact that since I am running
windows form the CDrive I can't format the CDrive as files are allocated?

So how do I format the CDrive when running Windows, or for that matter
how do I format it at all?



In your situation what I've usually done is restore to ex-factory
conditions, just as it was when you bought it.
To do that it has to be an OEM machine, with the original Windows 7 in a
hidden partition. You boot and keep hitting F8 until you get the
recovery menu. Alternatively there's usually a program in the Programs
list for that manufacturer, something like Packard Bell recovery
management or Acer or HP.

Ed

On 3/8/2014 9:41 AM, ArtReid wrote:


I go through all steps to get to Computer Mgmt/Disk Mgmt. Screen

When I right click CDrive to select format, the computer will not allow
me to select format. It's there, but in grey and is un-selectable

I suspect it has something to do with the fact that since I am running
windows form the CDrive I can't format the CDrive as files are allocated?

So how do I format the CDrive when running Windows, or for that matter
how do I format it at all?



It would be easier to use a disk cleaning program. McAfee has what they
call shredder, I know there are others. When run it does several
rewrites of random characters od the area where the file resides. There
are several programs from many vendors that do this same thing.

What I would when I have this problem is to remove any programs I don't
want on the computer when I get rid of it, and the use the "shredder"
program to remove associated files.

The problem with doing it your way is that the file locations are
removed, but the data still resides on the disk. It is like tearing out
the index of a book and saying the book no longer exist.

On 08/03/2014 10:32 AM, ArtReid wrote:

I need to Format the drive as opposed to repair it as I am giving the
computer away with a clean drive.

"ArtReid" wrote in message ...

I go through all steps to get to Computer Mgmt/Disk Mgmt. Screen

When I right click CDrive to select format, the computer will not allow me
to select format. It's there, but in grey and is un-selectable

I suspect it has something to do with the fact that since I am running
windows form the CDrive I can't format the CDrive as files are allocated?

So how do I format the CDrive when running Windows, or for that matter how
do I format it at all?

There is no way for you to format a C drive while you're running the
system off of it because formatting erases the complete contents of that
drive including the system you're running. What you're trying to do is
similar to detonating a car to explode while you're driving in it.

If you want to format a C drive, you can download any GNU/Linux
distribution and delete the hard disk partitions from there during the
installation process. Once that part is done, you can cancel the rest of
the installation. Another way is to enter the Windows CD if you have
one, and delete the partition from there during the installation
process. Once again, just cancel the installation once the partition
deletion is done.

These are the easiest ways to do it IMO.

--
Silver Slimer
Wikipedia Supporter
GNU/Linux advocates: http://abstrusegoose.com/558

On 03/09/2014 11:10 PM, DevilsPGD wrote:



snip

In general, you don't format the partition that you're running from, you
boot from another partition/device to format that one.

What would you expect to happen if you formatted a drive that is in use?




Yep. Windows will not allow you to format the partition you are booted to.

I think before Windows, back in the days of DOS, you could do so .

On Sat, 8 Mar 2014 09:41:38 -0500, "ArtReid"
wrote:


I suspect it has something to do with the fact that since I am running
windows form the CDrive I can't format the CDrive as files are allocated?


You can't format the drive Windows is installed on from within
Windows. That would be like sawing off the branch of a tree you're
sitting on.

Get some third-party program that you can boot to and format the
drive. There are several to choose from; do a google search.

On 3/10/2014, Roderick Stewart posted:
On Sat, 8 Mar 2014 09:41:38 -0500, "ArtReid"
wrote:

I go through all steps to get to Computer Mgmt/Disk Mgmt. Screen

When I right click CDrive to select format, the computer will not
allow me to select format. It's there, but in grey and is
un-selectable

I suspect it has something to do with the fact that since I am
running windows form the CDrive I can't format the CDrive as files
are allocated?

So how do I format the CDrive when running Windows, or for that
matter how do I format it at all?

I'm assuming you mean that you want to reformat the "C and D drives",
i.e. the hard drive(s) rather than the "CD drive", (which you
couldn't format anyway unless you had inserted a siutable type of
disk).

Uh, he said "CDrive", not "CDDrive". That is, "C Drive", not "C D
Drive".

--
Gene E. Bloch (Stumbling Bloch)

On 3/10/2014, Keith Nuttle posted:
On 3/8/2014 9:41 AM, ArtReid wrote:


I go through all steps to get to Computer Mgmt/Disk Mgmt. Screen

When I right click CDrive to select format, the computer will not
allow
me to select format. It's there, but in grey and is un-selectable

I suspect it has something to do with the fact that since I am
running
windows form the CDrive I can't format the CDrive as files are
allocated?

So how do I format the CDrive when running Windows, or for that
matter
how do I format it at all?



It would be easier to use a disk cleaning program. McAfee has what
they call shredder, I know there are others. When run it does several
rewrites of random characters od the area where the file resides.
There are several programs from many vendors that do this same thing.

What I would when I have this problem is to remove any programs I
don't want on the computer when I get rid of it, and the use the
"shredder" program to remove associated files.

The problem with doing it your way is that the file locations are
removed, but the data still resides on the disk. It is like tearing
out the index of a book and saying the book no longer exist.

I like that analogy...

--
Gene E. Bloch (Stumbling Bloch)

On Mon, 10 Mar 2014 13:04:20 -0700, Gene E. Bloch
wrote:


Uh, he said "CDrive", not "CDDrive". That is, "C Drive", not "C D
Drive".


Yep! I had to read the message several times before I realized what he
meant.

If they don't want to confuse readers, people should be very careful
how they write, spell, etc. g