Hello, in a different category of Yahoo Answers I posted a question about how to restart my entire computer as if it were straight from the factory. I was told to format my C: drive and then reinstall Windows. But here's the problem, I go to format hard drive, and it says that processes are using the drive and those must be closed. How do I format it? C: is my only hard drive, and one way or another some process is going to be using it. How would I format [completely erase] drive C?
2006-12-29 00:53:07 · 6 answers · asked by ? 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
If you have the disks to reload windows, put the disk in as you are booting - if your bios is set to boot from the CD, it should go there and you can reload your operating system from scratch INCLUDING formating your hard drive - that's one of the questions it will ask you when you do it.
2006-12-29 00:55:26 · answer #1 · answered by Catmmo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For formattig windows 1) Restart ur computer 2) when start booting press Delete key or whatever key it is showing when it is booting for enter into the Setup.3) now u r in Setup, a blue screen. so many options r there. check very well. there is an option like Boot priority or Boot order. In that the Boot order currently shown IDE or Hard Disk change that to CD drive as the First boot device.
4) Insert Windows XP cd into cd drive.now u will boot from cd drive.5) now u r in a blue screen,'windows Setup' having so many options. let it load all. then below the screen there comes f8= I agree something like that. press f8 and follow the instructions .Read the Instructions very well and follow it. Now u r on the track..
NB: first u delete ur C drive , then create new partition and format it... nothing to worry.. all u can see in that Blue screen.
2006-12-29 01:33:52 · answer #2 · answered by nett 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If data on your hard disk is corrupted it is advisable to format the hard disk and reinstall the operating system (usually Windows XP). If a new hard disk is used, you may prefer to partition the hard disk into 2 or more drive. The operating system is installed on the first drive and a backup of the data is stored on the second drive More details at http://fixit.in/format.html
2006-12-30 01:51:51 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's always some halfwit who tells you to format from the command prompt. You can format the drive you're booted off of. You have to boot off a floppy of CD to redo the hard drive.
2006-12-29 06:11:28 · answer #4 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
haha, you cant format your hard drive in Windows, your Windows system/boot files are loaded on that hard drive, its asking Windows to kill itself. Reboot your PC with the Windows CD in and boot from it, set boot order or go to advanced options menu by hitting f8 and pick boot to cdrom, there you will be able to delete your partition which you need to do first, re partition and then format with NTFS
2006-12-29 00:57:04 · answer #5 · answered by keith s 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go into DOS mode, and just type format c: It's always easier to just do it from DOS mode. Just go into Programs from the Start button and go to MS-Dos Prompt. Or, depending on what kind of computer you have, go to Programs, then Accessories, then System Tools, and then DOS Prompt.
2006-12-29 01:04:49 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋