Problem formatting C drive (Please Help)
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From: Jeff Strickland on 30 Dec 2009 11:44 You can't reformat the boot drive. Yoou have to boot to a different drive and then format. What you need is the XP Installation CD, put it in the tray, set the Boot Priority in BIOS to look for the CD first, and then choose Install, not Repair. After going through a couple of screens, then you can choose the Repair option -- the C Drive will be listed as an installation location, select it then choose the option for a fresh install. The data on your HDD will be destroyed. "Randy and Ann" <randyandann(a)cox.net> wrote in message news:ZLw_m.79857$de6.69290(a)newsfe21.iad... > Hi, > > > > I have been having issues with my computer and can't get it to > boot up. I've already tried to start it in safe mode and I tried using > the factory boot disk; neither one works. I decided to format the C drive > and reload windows, but I can't figure out how to format the C drive, I've > already tried standard format C:/ command at the DOS prompt. > > My computer is operating off Windows XP. When I try to format the C drive, > it comes up with this: > > > > FORMAT [/help] drive: [/F: size] [/N: sectors /T: tracks] [/1] [/4] [/8] > > [/A] [[/B : /S]] [/Q] [/V [Label]]. > > > > Any idea of what I should type in to format the C drive and what the info > above means? > > > > Thanks in advance. My parents won't let me on their computer and told me I > had to fix mine. > > > > Sam > >
From: Jeff Strickland on 30 Dec 2009 11:47 "Randy and Ann" <randyandann(a)cox.net> wrote in message news:kWx_m.2583$Iz5.1297(a)newsfe05.iad... > JD, > > Thank you for the help. I should start out saying that I know just > enough to be dangerous.... I'm not sure what you mean by 'the POST > screen'. The computer is a DELL. It won't boot up in safe mode, last known > good mode, or any other mode. I thought I would format the C drive from > the F drive prompt and then just reinstall the soft ware, but it's not > that easy.... I tried to install XP from the CD, but I get the blue screed > of death (again), that's why I thought about scratching everything and and > starting over. The error I get says to uninstall virus or back up software > and/or to remove any firewalls. I can't do any of that if I can't boot up > the computer. I appreciate any hand-holding assistance anyone can give me. > > Thanks, Sam POST = Power On System Test. > > "JD" <No.Reply(a)Sorry.com> wrote in message > news:4b3a9eea$0$2540$da0feed9(a)news.zen.co.uk... >> Randy and Ann wrote: >>> Hi, >>> >>> >>> >>> I have been having issues with my computer and can't get it >>> to boot up. I've already tried to start it in safe mode and I tried >>> using the factory boot disk; neither one works. I decided to format the >>> C drive and reload windows, but I can't figure out how to format the C >>> drive, I've already tried standard format C:/ command at the DOS prompt. >>> >>> My computer is operating off Windows XP. When I try to format the C >>> drive, it comes up with this: >>> >>> >>> >>> FORMAT [/help] drive: [/F: size] [/N: sectors /T: tracks] [/1] [/4] [/8] >>> >>> [/A] [[/B : /S]] [/Q] [/V [Label]]. >>> >>> >>> >>> Any idea of what I should type in to format the C drive and what the >>> info above means? >>> >>> >>> >>> Thanks in advance. My parents won't let me on their computer and told me >>> I had to fix mine. >>> >>> >>> >>> Sam >>> >>> >> >> Hi There >> >> You cannot format a drive you are using, also if you are reinstalling you >> do not need to format it as the Operating System disk will do this for >> you. >> >> I suggest you read this thoroughly before you do anything: >> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/winxp/overview.mspx >> >> there may also be an easier way to fix it, what make is the PC if its a >> shop bough PC it most probably has a recovery partition on it, a few key >> presses and it could be back to the way it was when new, usually you >> press F11 just after the POST screen, then follow the instructions. >> >> JD > >
From: JD on 30 Dec 2009 12:43 Randy and Ann wrote: > JD, > > Thank you for the help. I should start out saying that I know just > enough to be dangerous.... I'm not sure what you mean by 'the POST screen'. > The computer is a DELL. It won't boot up in safe mode, last known good mode, > or any other mode. I thought I would format the C drive from the F drive > prompt and then just reinstall the soft ware, but it's not that easy.... I > tried to install XP from the CD, but I get the blue screed of death (again), > that's why I thought about scratching everything and and starting over. The > error I get says to uninstall virus or back up software and/or to remove any > firewalls. I can't do any of that if I can't boot up the computer. I > appreciate any hand-holding assistance anyone can give me. > > Thanks, Sam > The POST screen is the first thing you see when you turn the PC on some people refer to it as the BIOS Screen, its all the same tho, it will show you how much memory you have, type of CPU and your Drives, or it will be the Dell logo (you can usually press the TAB key to see the info if the logo is displayed, or you can turn it off in your BIOS settings) The first thing I would try is seeing if it has a recovery partition this will be easier than a full re/install as you will have to look for driver's if you do that. So turn on the PC wait for the BEEP just after the POST screen and before the windows XP loading screen (or where that would normally be) press F11 (it may also be CTRL + F11) and see if you get the Dell recovery option if you do follow the instructions. if not, make sure your computer is set to boot from CD first then HDD, you will find these options in your BIOS settings, usually labeled BOOT ORDER or something similar, you usually press DEL or F2 to get into the BIOS settings but it will tell you at the bottom of the screen when you turn the PC on "Press Del to enter Setup ....." you can then insert your Windows XP disk, you should get the "Press any Key to boot from CD .." press a key, all the following screens should be Blue. you should follow these instructions: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/winxp/install.mspx the only difference for you will be the part about partitions, you will want to select each one then delete them (highlight it and press D) once all the partitions are gone it will show up as free space, just press enter and select quick format, the rest should be a case of following the on screen instructions. You say you get a blue screen of death where does this happen and what does it say ? As I'm not sure if your are loading the Repair disk or if its the OS (XP) that is loading, BSOD Can mean Hardware Failure or it could just be a faulty driver or .dll JD
From: James D. Andrews on 30 Dec 2009 14:45 "Jeff Strickland" <crwlrjeff(a)yahoo.com> wrote in message news:hhg02k$5es$1(a)news.eternal-september.org... > You can't reformat the boot drive. Yoou have to boot to a different drive > and then format. > > What you need is the XP Installation CD, put it in the tray, set the Boot > Priority in BIOS to look for the CD first, and then choose Install, not > Repair. After going through a couple of screens, then you can choose the > Repair option -- the C Drive will be listed as an installation location, > select it then choose the option for a fresh install. > > The data on your HDD will be destroyed. > > "Randy and Ann" <randyandann(a)cox.net> wrote in message > news:ZLw_m.79857$de6.69290(a)newsfe21.iad... >> Hi, >> >> >> >> I have been having issues with my computer and can't get it >> to boot up. I've already tried to start it in safe mode and I tried >> using the factory boot disk; neither one works. I decided to format the C >> drive and reload windows, but I can't figure out how to format the C >> drive, I've already tried standard format C:/ command at the DOS prompt. >> >> My computer is operating off Windows XP. When I try to format the C >> drive, it comes up with this: >> >> FORMAT [/help] drive: [/F: size] [/N: sectors /T: tracks] [/1] [/4] [/8] >> >> [/A] [[/B : /S]] [/Q] [/V [Label]]. >> >> Any idea of what I should type in to format the C drive and what the info >> above means? >> >> Thanks in advance. My parents won't let me on their computer and told me >> I had to fix mine. >> >> Sam >> In simplest, non-computerese terms, when you start your computer, you enter "Start Up" "Start Up" option appears at the top of your black screen when your computer is first turned on, and it will tell you what button(s) you have to push to enter Start Up. For some Dell's, it's one of the (f)Keys. It will flash past this option fairly quick and go on to other things, so you have to pay attention and act quickly when prompted. Once inside Start Up, you'll find the Boot Sequence. Change as necessary. IF other recovery options don't work for you AND you still want to attempt to Format the drive: IF you have a floppy drive: IF you have a floppy boot disk (also called Start Up disk or Recovery Disk), try booting from the floppy. Just put it in and Restart the computer to see if it will boot from floppy first. IF the floppy won't boot, then you'll have to change the Boot Sequence in BIOS (Start Up) just as you would for attempting to boot from CD. Floppy boot disks usually contain the bare minimum to boot your computer to A: drive (the floppy drive), but sometimes have basic DOS commands. THEN, on the boot disk itself OR if you have an old DOS disk, you might find FORMAT.EXE on one of these. IF SO, then you can Format from this disk. Just type Format C: and Execute. It will give you the warning and cancel option. Just tell it to go ahead and format. How long it takes depends on your HDD. IF you can't boot to either CD or floppy, you may be looking at something more serious than your hard drive or Operating System, possibly your Power Supply. --- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: news(a)netfront.net ---
From: Randy and Ann on 30 Dec 2009 19:27
I want to thank everyone for the assistance, but this thing is still kicking my butt... It won't boot from the XP installation CD. I entered the BIOS and changed them so the computer boots from the CD first. The 'blue screen of death' comes about a second after the windows logo comes up. The blue screen has a code (maybe I should've brought this up in the first place) 0X00000024. I did some more research and found it at this website: http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic5352.html I would appreciate the help if someone could "dumb this down" a little bit for me.... Thank you to anyone who can assist in helping me (teaching me). Sam "James D. Andrews" <jamesdandrews(a)att.net> wrote in message news:hhgak3$15vk$1(a)adenine.netfront.net... > > "Jeff Strickland" <crwlrjeff(a)yahoo.com> wrote in message > news:hhg02k$5es$1(a)news.eternal-september.org... >> You can't reformat the boot drive. Yoou have to boot to a different drive >> and then format. >> >> What you need is the XP Installation CD, put it in the tray, set the Boot >> Priority in BIOS to look for the CD first, and then choose Install, not >> Repair. After going through a couple of screens, then you can choose the >> Repair option -- the C Drive will be listed as an installation location, >> select it then choose the option for a fresh install. >> >> The data on your HDD will be destroyed. >> >> "Randy and Ann" <randyandann(a)cox.net> wrote in message >> news:ZLw_m.79857$de6.69290(a)newsfe21.iad... >>> Hi, >>> >>> >>> >>> I have been having issues with my computer and can't get it >>> to boot up. I've already tried to start it in safe mode and I tried >>> using the factory boot disk; neither one works. I decided to format the >>> C drive and reload windows, but I can't figure out how to format the C >>> drive, I've already tried standard format C:/ command at the DOS prompt. >>> >>> My computer is operating off Windows XP. When I try to format the C >>> drive, it comes up with this: >>> > >>> FORMAT [/help] drive: [/F: size] [/N: sectors /T: tracks] [/1] [/4] [/8] >>> >>> [/A] [[/B : /S]] [/Q] [/V [Label]]. >>> > >>> Any idea of what I should type in to format the C drive and what the >>> info above means? >>> >>> Thanks in advance. My parents won't let me on their computer and told me >>> I had to fix mine. >>> >>> Sam >>> > > In simplest, non-computerese terms, when you start your computer, you > enter "Start Up" "Start Up" option appears at the top of your black > screen when your computer is first turned on, and it will tell you what > button(s) you have to push to enter Start Up. For some Dell's, it's one > of the (f)Keys. It will flash past this option fairly quick and go on to > other things, so you have to pay attention and act quickly when prompted. > > > Once inside Start Up, you'll find the Boot Sequence. Change as necessary. > > IF other recovery options don't work for you AND you still want to attempt > to Format the drive: > > IF you have a floppy drive: > > IF you have a floppy boot disk (also called Start Up disk or Recovery > Disk), try booting from the floppy. Just put it in and Restart the > computer to see if it will boot from floppy first. > > IF the floppy won't boot, then you'll have to change the Boot Sequence in > BIOS (Start Up) just as you would for attempting to boot from CD. > > Floppy boot disks usually contain the bare minimum to boot your computer > to A: drive (the floppy drive), but sometimes have basic DOS commands. > > THEN, on the boot disk itself OR if you have an old DOS disk, you might > find FORMAT.EXE on one of these. > > IF SO, then you can Format from this disk. Just type Format C: and > Execute. It will give you the warning and cancel option. Just tell it to > go ahead and format. How long it takes depends on your HDD. > > IF you can't boot to either CD or floppy, you may be looking at something > more serious than your hard drive or Operating System, possibly your Power > Supply. > > > --- news://freenews.netfront.net/ - complaints: news(a)netfront.net --- |