-----Original Message----- Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 23:57:32 -0500 From: Brent <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Can't Reformat C: Hello all, I'm currently running Windows 2000, but I'm wanting to reformat my drives= and install a fresh version of Windows XP. I made a boot disk with a fl= oppy; I get to the A:\ prompt and I'll type in "format C: /s" but the com= mand will go ahead and format my D: drive instead! It doesn't recognize = that the C: drive is there at all. I'm booting the machine from the flop= py, so I 'shouldn't' be using the C: drive at all. It's only recognizing= one drive, but it's definitely not reformating the correct hard drive!! How can I reformat my C: drive? Cheers, Brent Visit our website regularly for FAQs, articles, how-to's, tech tips and much more http://freepctech.com ------------------------------ ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 17:41:05 +1000 From: Don Penlington <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Can't Reformat C: Brent wrote: >How can I reformat my C: drive?>> The floppy drive (dos) probably cant see a drive which is NTFS. When you run the XP disk, it should give you the option of reformatting before installing. Don Penlington Do you want to signoff PCBUILD or just change to Digest mode - visit our web site: http://freepctech.com/pcbuild.shtml ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 08:55:45 -0700 From: Kenneth Whyman <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Can't Reformat C: You are likely using a boot disk made for DOS and/or Windows 9x, which cannot properly see an NTFS partition and manipulate it, or the boot floppy is having trouble recognizing the partition because of its sheer size. If you use the Windows XP install CD to boot up your system and start the upgrade process, you should have an option to format the existing partition(s), or to completely redo the partition setup of your drive. Another idea would be to conduct the format by taking out the drive from your original machine and using an IDE to USB adapter to connect it to a second computer. I keep such an adapter in my toolkit for just this kind of work, and it hasn't let me down yet. Only set me back about $25 bucks at Fry's Electronics, and money well spent. Hope this information proves useful to you :) ---------------------------------- Change the boot order to have your cd drive recognized first, then reboot the pc with the XP disc in the drive. You will be given the option to reformat from the cd when you install the new OS. HTH Chris Ryan [log in to unmask] The NOSPIN Group is now offering Free PC Tech support at our newest website: http://freepctech.com