Re: cannot format / install xp

Try using the Manufacturer of the new Hard Drives own Installation
Software. You can
get it at their website.
"anon" <anon@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:yj2oj.36297$a61.30265@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
I assembled my own system a few years ago, biostar M7NCD motherboard,
Athlon
2.6ghz processor, about 750mb memory and 160gb hard drive, split into
three
partitions C-D-E.

I had a problem with XP last week and could not re-install. I tried to
format partition C but then had the error - Invalid Partition, and this
occurs everytime at start up. I have tried to install XP from disk and
managed to format partition C, but cannot get any further, as even though
it
has formatted, the error message - invalid partition has now returned. All
three partitions show up to choose, when I format though.

I purchased a new drive to format, install XP, recover the lost data on
Partition E of the old 160gb drive, then try to format the whole of the
160gb drive to start a fresh and use for XP only and some data.
Unfortunately I cannot format the new drive. It is 320gb, but I use a
slipstreamed XP with XP2, so I dont see the size should be a problem. The
big problem is that any option page is only shown for a brief second (
milliseconds really ) then the blue error screen appears - irql not less
or
equal and the system freezes. I have managed to slect several options
after
many installations, and progressed to format, it formatted 31% then the
blue
error message, the next time it got to 14% and stopped. What options do I
have to try to get this formatted completely ? Even though 31% was
formatted, it showed up as not being formatted the next time. Pressing C
to
partition a particular sizxe has no effect, I have to format the whole
305gb. I could ask how to correct the error, but it gives no clues so
could
be anything. Although the system was working ok last week and I have not
installed any new hardware.




.

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