I want to uninstall windows XP, I was told to format my c drive but it won't let me untill the volume is dismounted. I don't know wot this is, how do i dismount the volume? The computer said " format cannot run because the volume is in use by another format. Format may run if this volume is dismounted first". I have no idea wot this means, please help.
2007-05-07 09:46:12 · 4 answers · asked by moonlight 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
What you need to do is create a boot disk through your windows control panel (floppy disk) once this is created restart your computer and have the disk inserted when you boot up, make sure by going into the bios (either press delete or F8) and have the boot sequence as "Floppy disk" then hard drive, then cd. Next you will be thrown into dos, from here you will need to use the command format c:/ or fdisk c:/ . You will be put into another screen and it will ask you if you are sure. Enter yes. Once it has finished formatting (it can take up to 8 hours depending on the size of your hard drive and how much stuff you have on it). Once this is done restart your computer and change the boot priority to "Cd rom" Then floppy then Hard drive. Once this is done restart your computer and make sure you have your Windows XP c.d. in the drive, it will start to install and you'll be up and running.
2007-05-07 09:56:22 · answer #1 · answered by DWL13_98 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can't format C whilst your operating system is running. What you're asking is your computer to wipe the drive that it is currently running on. This is unwise and impossible.
The easiest way to format C is to create a boot disk (floppy of CD) and then boot from it. You can then issue the command to format C. Basically, you'll be running a basic system from a floppy disk or CD.
Fortunately, the Windows XP setup disc is also a boot disk. So, assuming that you have a copy of Windows XP, you can insert the CD and then boot from it.
Put the CD in the drive and then restart your computer. You should get a prompt asking you if you want to boot from the CD. Press Y to answer Yes.
Now that you're booting from the CD, you should get an option to format your hard drive - you can then choose to go ahead with re-installation of XP or you can finish and install another operating system.
Bootdisk.com
Has a wide variety of boot disks you can download and then put onto floppy or CD so that you can achieve your aim.
I hope I've answered your question. Please rate my answer If you found it useful.
2007-05-07 16:58:40 · answer #2 · answered by Sir Pete 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
XP will not let you format the drive it is running from.
If you are going to install another OS then there is usually an option to repartition or format the drive when you install.
If you want to just scrub the drive, then you need to boot from a CD / floppy / USB key and run a format command. The Windows install CD can do this.
2007-05-07 16:55:37 · answer #3 · answered by Simon T 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you are anywhere near smart enough to be uninstalling windows. Let a pro do it.
2007-05-07 16:56:43 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋