Re: Formating the C drive

Tech-Archive recommends: Speed Up your PC by fixing your registry

From: Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\) (user_at_#notme.com)
Date: 03/11/04 

Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2004 17:33:49 -0800

A dead heat...you don't see that too often!<VBG> 

-- 
Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/
"Carey Frisch [MVP]" <mrxp2004@nospamyahoo.com> wrote in message 
news:O4no1ewBEHA.624@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> One cannot reformat a drive or partition that is "in use".
> That's like standing out on a tree limb and then sawing it off.
> Use the following procedure to reformat your drive:
>
> The Windows XP CD is bootable and contains all the tools necessary
> to partition and format your drive.  Follow this procedure and allow
> Windows XP to partition and format your drive:
>
> NOTE:  It would be best to physically disconnect all your peripheral 
> hardware
>              devices, except the monitor, mouse and keyboard, before 
> installing XP.
>
> NOTE:  If you have an internal Zip Drive installed, physically disconnect 
> the
>              EIDE and power cable to it before proceeding, otherwise your 
> main
>              hard drive may not be assigned the customary C: drive letter.
>              After installing Windows XP, you may then reconnect it.
>
> 1.    Open your BIOS and set your "CD Drive as the first bootable device".
>
>       ===> Accessing Motherboard BIOS
>       ===> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm
>
> 2.    Insert your Windows XP CD in the CD Drive and reboot your computer.
> 3.    You'll see a message to boot to the CD....follow the instructions.
> 4.    The setup menu will appear and you should elect to delete all the 
> existing
>       Windows partitions, then create a new partition, then format the 
> primary
>       partition (preferably NTFS) and proceed to install Windows XP.
>
> 5.    Clean Install Windows XP
>        http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
>
>        [Courtesy of  Michael Stevens, MS-MVP]
>
> 6.    ==> Immediately after installing Windows XP, turn on XP's Firewall.
>       ==> http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
>
> 7.    After Windows XP is installed, visit the Windows Update website
>        and download the available "Critical Updates".
>
> 8.    After installing the critical updates, be sure and visit the support 
> website
>       of the manufacturer of the computer to download and install any
>       available Windows XP compatible drivers, such as video adapter
>       and audio drivers.
>
> 9.    If you happen to run into any installation difficulties, use the 
> following resources:
>
>       How to Troubleshoot Windows XP Problems During Installation
>       http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;310064
>
>       Troubleshooting Windows XP Setup
>       http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_setup.htm
>
>       [Courtesy of MS-MVP Kelly Theriot]
>
> -- 
> Carey Frisch
> Microsoft MVP
> Windows XP - Shell/User
>
> Be Smart!  Protect your PC!
> http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
>
> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> "Marc" <landriault4796@rogers.com> wrote in message:
> news:P9P3c.209554$ah.91599@twister01.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...
>
> |I am attempting to format my daughter's PC by doing the following after 
> all
> | programs are no longer running and disabling the PC from my home 
> network:
> |
> | format c:
> |
> |
> |
> | But the following appears and I cannot find any information to get 
> around
> | this issue:
> |
> | 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 THEN BE DISABLE
> | Would you like to force a dismount on this volume (y/n) y
> | Cannot lock the drive. The volume is still in use.
> |
> |
> | thanks,
> | Mark.
> |
> |

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  • Re: Formating the C drive
    ... One cannot reformat a drive or partition that is "in use". ... The Windows XP CD is bootable and contains all the tools necessary ... Windows XP to partition and format your drive: ... After installing the critical updates, be sure and visit the support website ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics)