ADN

I'm trying to reformat the hard drive on my desktop but I'm running into a problem. I only know how to do it by the command prompt. I type in format c:. It says proceed with format (y/n). I type in 'y'. Then it says format cannot run because the volume is in use by an other 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). I type 'y'. It says then Cannot lock the drive. The volume is still in use.

What am I doing wrong? Is there another or easier way to do this?

I'm running XP btw

You need to boot from the XP CD, and format it that way...Unless you have two HDD's on your system, and are trying to format your disk that doesn't have your Windows installation on it, reformatting won't work...

Actually, there are several options on how to solve this one:

a) Make a DOS boot floppy, and format it from there
/cool.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="B)" border="0" alt="cool.gif" /> Boot off the XP CD, go into recovery mode (DOS prompt), and format from there
c) Use an alternative boot floppy/CD package (Google for some)
d) Download a small live Linux distro (eg Damn Small Linux - 60mb)
e) Enable Windows XP's Recovery boot option (just a DOS prompt), and then boot from it at startup (F8)

Pick one that you find easiest, and go with it..!
If you need any more information on a specific option, just ask..

Thanks for your help. I got it to work last night by doing what Ty suggested

Booya..!

Score one for the A..! /laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":lol:" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" />

Hey, I stilll mentioned what you said..! *looks worried* lol

crap, I hope it isn't the same for Windows 98.


Instead of reformat, how would I, RE-IMAGE my ol Windoze box that's running Windows 98? I don't want to wipe everything, just stuff that I can't delete because the necessary uninstallation files were accidentally deleted.

It's my father's old work machine, still got clients data and stuff that I can't swipe, and old accounting programs etc. Taking up space but I can't clear them the conventional ways. A data eraser like Eraser would not work either.

How do I re-image it?

I'm not sure what you mean, Pete...

Are you trying to remove program fragments and cannot..? I used to know of a program that did this, but dammit I forget the name...USUALLY, the easiest way to get rid of some shit is to install it again, but assuming that's impossible...

Damn, I'd just put in an XP CD and upgrade the 98 installation, running 98 is just out of the question for me...Usually, it's not good to do an OS upgrade, but in your case I think I'd be willing to have an exception...Uprade it, and then delete all your old files you don't want...If I'm not mistaken, 98 doesn't have a 'Documents and Settings' folder, so you could be safe deleting every folder off your C Drive with the exception of that one, Program files, and the Windows install folder...

QUOTE(AYHJA)I'm not sure what you mean, Pete...

Are you trying to remove program fragments and cannot..? I used to know of a program that did this, but dammit I forget the name...USUALLY, the easiest way to get rid of some shit is to install it again, but assuming that's impossible...

Damn, I'd just put in an XP CD and upgrade the 98 installation, running 98 is just out of the question for me...Usually, it's not good to do an OS upgrade, but in your case I think I'd be willing to have an exception...Uprade it, and then delete all your old files you don't want...If I'm not mistaken, 98 doesn't have a 'Documents and Settings' folder, so you could be safe deleting every folder off your C Drive with the exception of that one, Program files, and the Windows install folder...

The comp is OLD- my father bought it on 23rd December 1998! Was top of the line at the time.........

this shit don't even have 5 gigs! I think it just has 128MB RAM.........

I just want to use it as an archiver, and to record music. Well, mainly record music, and read me burnt CD-Rs......

So I HAVE to keep Windows 98 on there, it's the most it can handle.


Yep, I'm trying to remove program fragments etc. Like there will be programs listed in "Add/Remove Programs", but when going to remove them, it says it needs an uninstallation file (which must have been wiped at an earlier time). Just deleting them won't work.

If I was able to save the files on there that I wanted, and had the Windows 98 installation software and Quicktime plugins etc., then I'd just reformat the whole thing. But I can't risk wiping the slate completely clean. So I wanna keep what I want, and clear the rest.

is putting in a different Hard drive and installing the OS from scratch out of the question? WHat about a new HD and a linux distro. You would get better performance and not have all the problems windows 98 brings with it.