trouble reformatting

[mstby]

I printed and followed the faq745-1599 about reformatting and re-installing Windows.
I want to do a full installation and format my hard drive.
In DOS I get all the way to answering Y for FORMAT.
I get this message:
DRIVE C IS CURRENTLY IN USE BY ANOTHER PROCESS
ABORTING FORMAT

Windows ME is my only OS and really starting to hate it!
Cannot do system restore, cannot even reinstall ME over top of ME.

I have backup disks, CD's, everything needed for a clean install, IF I could delete everything on my hard drive NOW!

This should not be that difficult.

 

[edfair]

Are you trying to format from a DOS window?
Try booting from an EBD and see if it doesn't work. But you could also do fdisk from the same place and delete the partition then recreate it. Ed Fair
unixstuff@juno.com
Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply. Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.

 

[SPYDERIX]

Hi,

First of all, the correct path to my FAQ is FAQ748-1599 there is a bug on Tek-Tips my faq is not found in the NetBSD (Server)forum. Weird.

mstby,

You must follow those instructions to the "T". You can only re-format in DOS mode. Also make sure you test to see if you can access your BIOS settings and you can change your boot sequence or make sure your startup disk allows you to start computer with CD-ROM support.

You can only format in the real DOS mode. You need to start your computer with your startup disk in. You cannot format within Windows, although it is not heard of to be able to format within windows.

Hope this helps! NATE
design@spyderix-designz.com

http://www.spyderix-designz.com

 

[SPYDERIX]

oops, spelling.

It's not un-heard of to be able to format within windows. NATE
design@spyderix-designz.com

http://www.spyderix-designz.com

 

[WilliamL]

I have installed and reinstalled ME on a number of different machines and never had a problem. Are you using the ME Format.com? Previous DOS and Windows Formats will not work if you are reinstalling ME.

I would suggest using FDISK to delete and the repartition the drive and then start your ME installation. The ME install routine will recognise the drive is not partitioned and will give you the Format drive C:\ option. If you get a problem with that check and make sure you are using a ME Boot Disc