Foopid stucking question time.

How does one format a C: drive, when the "volume is in use".

BiL has decided to start from scratch in the wake of virus and spyware
infestations.

He knows less about computers than me, if you can imagine such a
person.
--
| ___ Salad Dodger
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|_\_____/_| ..83466../..22358.../..31893.
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\|^|/ ANORAK#17 IbB#4 YTC#4 two#11
'^' RBR Clues: 52 Pts:1005 Miles:3416

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, SD belched forth and ejected the following:

Boot from a DOS disk and format C: at the command prompt.

You might need to change the boot sequence to start with your CD drive
if you ain't got a floppy, innit.

 

If he's installing Windows 2000 or Windows XP Pro/Home then theres an option
to format the partition during the reinstall procedure.

I normally delete the existing partition, when offered during install, and
format after.

 

If it's XP, use the CD
http://www.theeldergeek.com/formatting_drives_using_xp_cd.htm

HTH

 

Boot from the recovery/widows/floppy disk and it will reach a format
stage choice.

 

^^^^^^

Completely dead, is it?

 

But not before backing up your personal data, I trust?

 

Blown into the weeds.

 

Obviously. He can't if he's booted into the OS on the C drive. As
everyone else has pointed out (sort of) he needs to boot off something
else, typically the OS install disc, which will almost certainly have a
format option along the way.

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Boot from the install CD (either change the boot order in the BIOS or -
if he has a modern BIOS - hit the key that gives you a boot menu from
the BIOS) and let it go ahead.
During install tell it to do a fresh install and delete the C
partition. Recreate the C partition and let Windows format it.

Jobs a good'un.

Phil

 

Personal data at home and work is on servers so no probs there

 

Al sorted now, ta for all the help.
--
| ___ Salad Dodger
|/ \
_/_____\_ GL1500SEV/CBR1100XXX/CBX1000Z
|_\_____/_| ..83466../..22358.../..31893.
(>|_|_|<) TPPFATUICG#7 DIAABTCOD#9 WG*
|__|_|__| BOTAFOT #70 BOTAFOF #09 PM#5
\ |^| / IbW#0 & KotIbW# BotTOS#6 GP#4
\|^|/ ANORAK#17 IbB#4 YTC#4 two#11
'^' RBR Clues: 52 Pts:1005 Miles:3416