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| Thread ID: 44186 | 2004-04-10 23:15:00 | How do I format my hard drive ?? | Piet (1988) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 228481 | 2004-04-10 23:15:00 | I had xandros on my comp had probs and now it don't go and I can't reinstall.Partition Magic Mb totals tell me that there is 7mb approx missing.I thought there may be a partition that XP Pro and P/Magic 8.0 can't see but xandros can.There is only one entry in the bootcfg list . So I would like to format the whole drve and start from scatch (Happy Happy Joy joy) |
Piet (1988) | ||
| 228482 | 2004-04-10 23:28:00 | have you got the xp disk? if you have, you will need to boot from that. when it asks you if you want to install on an existing partition, you select no, and delete all the partitions. Then you need to create a new one. Use the Ntfs type, and i reccomend not using the quick format. thihs way, you can make shure that everything is wiped. |
ilikelinux (1418) | ||
| 228483 | 2004-04-10 23:42:00 | will not load at start up Cd is first boot.If i start install from desctop and select new install will this do the same thing ie total format ?? | Piet (1988) | ||
| 228484 | 2004-04-11 00:04:00 | 1. make shure that in the bios that the boot options is set to cdrom 1st. 2. I havent installed it from the desktop before, so i cant gareentee that will work. |
ilikelinux (1418) | ||
| 228485 | 2004-04-11 00:25:00 | Chances are that it will not allow you while you are on the desktop as you are within a "windows" enviroment. Check you have the CD ROM as first boot deivice as Ilikelinux says, (easiest) Maybe you have to use a Win98 or ME bootdisk from www.bootdisk.com and boot off that. Then Fdisk , format then setup (on the CD drive letter). |
Pheonix (280) | ||
| 228486 | 2004-04-11 00:41:00 | Another thing you can try if Partition Magic still has a dos text based version pqmagict.exe included with it, is to boot from a dos boot disk and use pqmagict.exe to make sure all partitions are deleted. It is more powerful than fdisk at getting rid of linux partitions. | Terry Porritt (14) | ||
| 228487 | 2004-04-11 03:21:00 | Got past the install ok . P/Magic now can see an unallocated partition 7.4Mb Primary. What can I do to delete this partition . |
Piet (1988) | ||
| 228488 | 2004-04-11 03:53:00 | Either delete the partition or download some DOS based utilities. Since you appear to have been installing bootloaders which are (usually) never completely removed during formatting, consider overwriting the drive with zeros. This action is usually - and erroneously - referred to as low-level formatting. For utilities either try Wipe and Zap at IBM (lists.suse.com) or try the selection at File wiping (www.stack.nl) Reinitialise the master boot record if wiping an entire drive. Rolls Royce salesman to a prospective buyer - "Sir, if you need to ask the price, perhaps you should consider a different motor car." |
Merlin (503) | ||
| 228489 | 2004-04-11 21:18:00 | Reinitialise the master boot record. Will this solf my probs without a lowlevel format. ?? If wiping an entire drive. Do I wipe all partitions |
Piet (1988) | ||
| 228490 | 2004-04-12 10:20:00 | > Reinitialise the master boot record . - Seach Google for 'Reinitialize the master boot record ' and look for the switches > > Will this solf my probs without a lowlevel format . > ?? - what's a 'solf'? - read my previous post > > If wiping an entire drive . > Do I wipe all partitions - if you write on a whiteboard and then use a cloth to wipe the whiteboard, does anything remain? Men are four: He who knows not and knows not he knows not, he is a fool -- shun him; He who knows not and knows he knows not, he is simple -- teach him; He who knows and knows not he knows, he is asleep -- wake him; He who knows and knows he knows, he is wise -- follow him! - Lady Burton (wife of Sir Richard Francis Burton), given as an Arabian proverb |
Merlin (503) | ||
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