i got a real bad virus so im trying to format my hard drive. everytime i try to format my hard drive it says the format cannot be done because the volume is in use by another process. then it asks me if i want to dismount the volume and i say yes but then nothing happens. what should i do?
2006-06-22 14:35:56 · 8 answers · asked by nyrangers11 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Other - Computers
Try going into your bios and formating the hard drive. You can't format it from windows because the hard drive has files that windows needs to be able to run. if you can boot your computer in dos, type in format and confirm. that should work. If not you can take out your hard drive and hook it into another computer. Format it from that computer.
2006-06-22 14:38:33 · answer #1 · answered by earlsquareling 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Senario 1 = You have 2 physical / partition hard drives
If you have the swap file on it, or any thing that Windows uses then you can't format it. Don't even try, it might screw up your Windows.
Senario 2 = You have 1 physical / partitioned hard drive
WARNING!!! FORMATTING WILL ERASE EVERYTHING!!!
Reformat from BIOS Boot menu
Step 1: Push the power on button
Step 2: Hit the F8 key to load the boot menu immediately after you push the on button
Step 3: Insert your Windows CD into the CD drive and select the drive from your BIOS Boot menu. Boot from CD.
Step 4: Windows Setup should start loading.
Step 5: Follow the on-screen instructions and complete the wizard.
2006-06-22 22:14:06 · answer #2 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is a program called WINDOW WASHER.In utilities you can make a hard drive erase floppy or CD.You reboot your computer and it will erase the drive after you respond to some prompts.You might have to go in to your BIOS to tell the computer to boot to a CD.When you reboot you will see a white character on black screen.It will say something like F2 or F12 for setup.You need to tell the BIOS to boot to a CD first or to select a CD in the boot choice menu.When you are done you put the XP CD in and follow the instructions.You might need their product key.A number above the bar code in the XP pamphlet.You should then install the manufacturer's drivers from their CD.That CD starts and you follow the instructions.Formatting erases the drive.There will be no files on the drive after formatting or erasing.That is why you have to re install the XP operating system.YOU WILL ERASE THE HARD DRIVE WITH THIS METHOD!
2006-06-22 21:54:18 · answer #3 · answered by Balthor 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Format ERASES EVERYTHING, including WINDOWS.
DO NOT do Format until you are sure that you know how to restore WINDOWS and all your software and files.
When you are ready, you have to do a Format before Windows starts. Usually your pc came with a CD or Floppy Disk to use to boot in this situation.
Insert your emergency disk in its drive and Restart. You will get a menu of possible actions, including Format. (Or worst case you get an entry into the old DOS. If so, FDISK is the Format command.)
If you do not know how to recover Windows, get some experienced help.
Good Luck.
2006-06-22 21:49:51 · answer #4 · answered by fredshelp 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Can you get to safe mode still? If so, download Ad-Aware, AVG anti virus, Spy-bot Search and Destroy. Update all of these and run them while in safe mode, see if that clobbers that virus! If you want to format the main drive you'll have to do it in DOS Get to the DOS command, Start, Accessories, Command prompt. Type in at the prompt "format C:\" hit enter and stand back! Another method is to re-install windows over the current one, if you have a windows installation disc with your computer. Put it in the CD drive and reboot, when it comes up it will ask you if you want to re-install, say yep! And then , stand back!
2006-06-23 01:01:49 · answer #5 · answered by mittalman53 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You cannot reformat the hard drive while the OS is running.. Thats why you get the error you are currently getting.
If you are using Windows then you will have to boot to the install CD and reinstall the OS from the CD.. When it asks for the partition to install to select the one thats there and make sure you choose the reformat option when it asks.. Do realize that you will lose all your data on your drive.. So I would back it up now while you can still get to it. Make sure you dont backup the virus and transfer it back to your new computer. :)
2006-06-22 21:43:14 · answer #6 · answered by GravyPlaya 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can always stick a magnet to the hardrive...but it's not seggested... what I would do if I were you... go into dos, type in chdir C:\ then press enter... after that type in format and enter... if that don't work type in format C: after doing that you can reboot with windows install cd in your drive and reinstall windows... or you can just start the computer up with the windows CD and format it useing that... plus that way you can skip a few steps...
Good luck with that naughty virus.
2006-06-22 21:41:48 · answer #7 · answered by Thomas 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yeah, reformat from the bios
just remember that most computers only come with recovery cds rather than full copies of operating systems
that means if you reformat your drive and you only have a recovery cd and not a windows cd, you'll be stuck without an operating system
I would not want to have to pay for windows twice
2006-06-22 21:42:56 · answer #8 · answered by viking_transplant 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋