XP formatting probs..

Turner

When i try to format my primary hd i get the following message.

Format cannot run because the volume is in use by another process. Format may run if this volume is dismounted first. ALL OPEN HANDLES TO THIS VOLUME WOULD BE INVALID. would you like to force a dismount on this volume? (y/n)

When i press yes. I am returned to the c: prompt and no format takes place.

I have also tried formatting from the XP recovery console, after typring y to proceed with format after about 5 seconds i am returned to the command prompt. Have also tried using a boot disk to boot to dos but to no avail.

Any ideas ?

seamus

Run fdisk and wipe your partitions, then reformat.

Or use a linux boot disk to get you a more powerful fdisk.

Turner

no partitions to delete is what fdisk says.

seamus

Gah, I didn't read your first post properly.

Originally posted by Chief---
When i try to format my primary hd i get the following message.

Format cannot run because the volume is in use by another process. Format may run if this volume is dismounted first. ALL OPEN HANDLES TO THIS VOLUME WOULD BE INVALID. would you like to force a dismount on this volume? (y/n)

When i press yes. I am returned to the c: prompt and no format takes place.

OK, so now the HDD has been dismounted, now you can try format it. If that doesn't work, get a decent partition manager, or a linux boot disk.

Ruaidhri

make a boot disk & reboot w/ it

Occidental

Are you trying to format from an XP install CD or from withing Xp itself.

Also is you have a Win95/98 boot diskette handy you will be able to delete XP partitions without any problem

Cake Fiend

I'm assuming you're trying to format from within XP, with XP running off the primary drive? That's not going to work. When it asks you to force a dismount, say no, and it should give you an option to format it next time you reboot. Say yes, then reboot.

Kairo

Here..im running XP at the moment, and Im wondering is it possible to work with your hard drive in dos, if the HD is formatted for NTFS.

I created a boot floppy and it loads into real dos grand, but my hard drive isnt there. Cant detect or anything. Im guessing its cause of it being NTFS. Is there anyway around this?

zAbbo

DOS or WinWoes 95,98 can`t see NTFS drives, not sure on a way around it, although i(myself) would have no reason to do this as i dual boot 2k+xp and have a spare computer to access hard drives from.

You can of course boot into the recovery console which is PC-DOS(i think) and you can access NTFS drives.

Turner

I was able to format from the windows xp cd using the recovery console.

Tks for the help lads and ladettes