I go to Command Prompt, type "format c:", "Y" yes proceed with the format, and now it says "Format cannot run because the volume is in use by another process. Format may run if this volume is dismounted first. ALL OPENED HANDLES TO THIS VOLUME WOULD THEN BE INVALID. Would you like to force a dismount on this volume? (Y/N)"
What are "opened handles" and what is dismounting?
How can I format my hard drive?
I have a Dell Inspiron 5100 Notebook computer, and have here two CDs that came with the computer (I am not sure if there are any more "important" ones laying around somewhere). One is the Application CD, the other is the Drivers, Utilities, and Applications CD. Which one has the XP Operating System in it? Is it in a different CD do you think?
2006-10-02 07:23:27 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Other - Computers
I forgot to mention that when I press "y"es to dismount the hard drive, it says that it cannot and then it won't let me format the drive.
2006-10-02 07:26:17 · update #1
You cannot initiate a format of the hard drive containing your operating system while you are using your operating system.
Get your Windows install CD and boot to it. There is a formatting utility there that will format, then reinstall your OS.
Sounds like the OS would be on a disk called "Operating System Recovery Disk" or something like that.
2006-10-02 07:26:44 · answer #1 · answered by IT Pro 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You need to start of with your Windows xp CD inserted in the drive and switch your system on. Do this by inserting the CD before you shut down your system then restart it. Your computer should automatically boot from the CD providing that your computer's drive boot sequence is set correctly. This is done through your computer's BIOS. I also have a Dell and I press the F2 key at the top to access it. It should tell you what to press at the top of your screen a couple of seconds or so after you switch your computer on. Your CD drive needs to be set to boot first, before your hard drive boots otherwise windows will start before your CD is read. Wait for the setup programs to load its devices drivers then follow the instructions to reformat your hard drive. You need to select the option to install a fresh copy of windows xp on your system otherwise you will not reformat your hard drive. This is because there is an option to reinstall windows back to its original state without removig your programs or other data you have. This can be handy if you don't want to lose data.
As others have said, the reason you can't format using the way you have tried is because windows is running and you are unable to format a drive that has an operating system running. You cannot therefore reformat your computer by right clicking on the My Computer icon and selecting format.
The time it takes to reformat varies depending on your system performance.
Open handles bascially means that there are programs still using a drive. Just the same as you can't delete a file while it is open on your computer. To dismount means to stop these programs using your drive. This will not work though because Windows will always be running for as long as our system is switched on.
Hope this helps you out.
Scott
2006-10-05 03:35:52 · answer #2 · answered by scott.radley 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
first of all the two cd's does not contain XP,they are meant after you format the disk. first you get the cd which contains the software of xp. then you go to set up options and change the hard disk boot to cd-rom boot. then you place the xp cd in the cd drive and restart the system, then it will ask "boot from cd" and then you press any key . then follow the instructions as they come. aftre you finish the formating again change the cd-rom boot to hard disk boot. after that you place the two cd's and load the drives and applications.
2006-10-02 07:34:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Windows is still using the drive at that point. You must get into the dos like prompt before windows starts. Then complete the process. Windows cannot be running.
The CMD prompt in windows will not work for this application.
2006-10-02 07:28:25 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What I suggest is that you perform a reinstallation of your operating system. Insert the CD that is marked (Windows XP ...) and you can follow directions in your user manual. The computer will be restored to brand new setting... like when you just purchased it.
2006-10-02 07:37:24 · answer #5 · answered by Ajam 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you may desire to start up of alongside with your homestead windows xp CD inserted in the rigidity and turn your gadget on. try this via putting the CD earlier you shut down your gadget then restart it. Your laptop would desire to immediately boot from the CD offering that your laptop's rigidity boot sequence is desperate properly. it quite is carried out by way of your laptop's BIOS. I also have a Dell and that i press the F2 key on the ideal to get right of entry to it. it would inform you what to press on the ideal of your reveal a pair of seconds or so once you turn your laptop on. Your CD rigidity desires to be set besides first, earlier your confusing rigidity boots otherwise homestead windows will start up earlier your CD is examine. watch for the setup classes to load its gadgets drivers then persist with the learning to reformat your confusing rigidity. you may desire to pick the choice to place in a clean replica of homestead windows xp on your gadget or you will not reformat your confusing rigidity. it is because of the fact there is an option to reinstall homestead windows lower back to its unique state without removig your classes or different archives you have. it quite is generally available in case you do not desire to lose archives. As others have reported, the clarification you won't be able to format employing the type you have tried is by using the fact homestead windows is working and you're actually unable to format a rigidity that has an working gadget working. you won't be able to as a result reformat your laptop via real clicking on the My laptop icon and selecting format. The time it takes to reformat varies looking on your gadget overall performance. Open handles bascially skill that there are classes nonetheless employing a rigidity. only comparable to you won't be able to delete a record mutually because it quite is open on your laptop. To dismount skill to end those classes employing your rigidity. this won't artwork nevertheless because of the fact homestead windows will consistently be working for as long as our gadget is switched on. desire this facilitates you out. Scott
2016-10-18 08:57:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yeah, simply dont ever buy a dell again
And to format go to My Computer>Right Click C:\ > Go to Format
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2006-10-02 07:33:07 · answer #7 · answered by Jay-d 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
go to google and search it!!!Duh!!
2006-10-02 07:27:49 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋