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format c: problems

post #1 of 4
1/24/07 at 6:51pm
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Ok, so i've never tried formatting this way and it isn't working for me. I have a windows disk but its not a boot disk, so i cant pop it and follow the boot stuff to reformat c: and install windows, so im trying to reformat through command prompt, i type it in format c: and it says, do you really want to blah blah, yes, "other users are using drive c: do you want to unlock handles blah blah?" yes, and it says that it cannot. I can't figure out how to get the C: drive formatting without using hte bootdisk method, can somebody fill me in? thanks
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post #2 of 4
1/25/07 at 2:59am
You have to have SOME KIND of alternate boot disk in order to format your C: drive. If you have a Dell Windows install CD you CAN boot from it. Press F12 at the POST screen and then select "On-board or USB CD-ROM"
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post #3 of 4
1/25/07 at 4:55am
You're kind of telling Windows to kill itself. As dumb as people may think Windows is, it does have a sense of self-preservation.

You're going to have to follow MrEvil's advice and get a boot disc of some sort.

As a side note, a Windows install CD is bootable - as well, you can format a drive from Windows Setup, so if installing Windows is the final goal, you don't need to format beforehand.
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post #4 of 4
1/25/07 at 5:07pm
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310994
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