how to format hard disk partition?

Question

I have a 40 gb hd. it has 2 partitions. on c drive i have installed win 98 and on d win xp. I want to remove win 98. I have tried formatting also , but it hasn't helped. pls. help

I have tried all that is mentioned in the first 4 answers below, but can't remove win 98 as it is the primary partition. some other method ?

Answer 1

Unfortunately you cannot format the partition as of now as the partition is primary. The primary partition contains some important files such as boot.ini, ntldr and ntdetect. These three files are important for the system to boot and these three files are put in the primary partition(by default C:). Now if you remove the primary paritition the system will not be able to get information on booting. Best thing I recommend is that back up all your data and reinstall XP on your C drive using a CD. Then delete the other instance of XP on your system. This is avoid any possible problems with the primary partition, and you can avoid any accidental loss of data.
One more suggestion is use some third party tools such as Partition Magic to convert your D: also into a primary bootable partition and then login to XP and format the C: drive. Mostly there wont be a data loss. However better back up your data incase something goes wrong.

Answer 2

First probability, it would want to easily be damaged/non operating, or the USB port is down for some reason - attempt different USB ports and ideally on yet another pc to be sure in case you get any exhilaration. Assuming it really is operating you likely favor to bypass to disk administration and initialise and format it there. In XP it change into an basic top click of 'my pc' and %. 'deal with' to accomplish that, yet i'm no longer constructive the position it really is on abode windows 7 devoid of rebooting into it, as i exploit Linux regularly lately

Answer 3

Go to control panel, administrative tools, computer management, then click on disk management. Here you will see your partitions. Right click on the one you want to format, and choose format. That should wipe your 98 partition

Good luck.

Answer 4

if u have a Win XP cd insert it and choose to install the Win xp /repair.
The comp will get started and a blue screen with instruction will come foloow it.
At one point it will ask that drives are full do u want formattin there u can choose C drive format it that cancel the rest installation hope so it works.

Answer 5

You can easily format your C: partition under cmd. Just go to run and type "cmd" then type format C: in the popped up window. But I recommend you to boot your XP first.

Answer 6

http://freepctech.com/pc/001/002.shtml