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Thread ID: 26327	2002-10-24 19:48:00	Can't format c drive in ME	Nevs (2337)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
92616	2002-10-24 19:48:00	I can't format my c drive (don't ask why I wont to do this) when dos comes up and I type in fromat c: it asks me if I am sure (you all know the massage) I press Y and it comes back saying it can't format c drive as another program is using the drive! I have gone in to ctrl/alt/Delete and shut down everything I could, I have also turned off restore, scheuled tasks & firewall. I have also gone into system Info/tools/syst config then turned off start up settings & (I think it's called) VGA in the advanced part, it still won't let me format c drive, I still get the same massage. Can anyone help me PLEASE it is now become urgent	Nevs (2337)
92617	2002-10-24 19:50:00	LOL, have you ever thought that the "other programme" is windows! You will have to create a bootdisk under start-->control panel -->add remove progs --> startup disk do this, reboot your computer while the disk is in the drive, then once everything has loaded up type "format c:"	roofus (483)
92618	2002-10-24 19:52:00	Are you trying from within windows? Need to boot from a start up disc first. Bye	Peter H (220)
92619	2002-10-24 20:40:00	>>> I can't format my c drive (don't ask why I wont to do this) I'm going to ask - Why don't you want to format c:? It sounds like you have no idea what you're doing, so I'm wondering whether you really do want to format it, and whether you're gonna be in a bigger mess when you're finished formatting or not. Mike.	Mike (15)
92620	2002-10-25 06:27:00	On bootup press the F8 key, just before you see starting Windows, and run it from the Dos prompt.	mikebartnz (21)
92621	2002-10-25 06:54:00	>>> On bootup press the F8 key, just before you see starting Windows, and run it from the Dos prompt. I'm not sure that this will work as MS removed access to DOS in Windows ME (I could be wrong though :)) Mike.	Mike (15)
92622	2002-10-25 07:07:00	you need to create a startup disk ( go to add/remove programs in your control panel and look at the tabs at the top ) Once you have booted into dos with your startup disk the /format c: command will work. You CANNOT format your C drive from either the dos prompt from your start menu or from the right click/properties options as windows will still be running in the background. Before formatting ensure you have a recent copy of your drivers for your modem etc on disk and a back up of anything you wish to keep. Once the format starts it is too late to save anything and if you do not have the nmodem drivers then you cannot connect to the net to downlaod anything either.	dipstick01 (445)
92623	2002-10-25 08:08:00	Same for me only I'm on XP. Ends up, the only way to format the drive is to download 6 floppies from MS (4 discs for ME I understand). These are used to boot system, the partition will be shown, delete the partition, re-establish the partition and the C: will 'have' to be formatted.	waltersharke (701)
92624	2002-10-25 08:26:00	That's a very long way about it for XP - To format in XP just insert the XP CD and boot from the CD, and select the option to format the drive before installing. Or if you're only wanting to format and not install then I think the recovery console from the boot CD will allow you to format the drive as well. Mike.	Mike (15)
92625	2002-10-25 08:28:00	As per some of the other replies, you will need a boot disk which you can create from Start>Settings>Control Panel>Add/Remove>Startup Disk Create the disk and leave in the Drive A, reboot and follow the prompts and you will format C:/ Have you backed up everything you want first before trying to do a reformat? Have you got all the required drivers so that you can get the various hardware on your computer up and running again? No offence intended but you sure you know what you are doing, you could be lining yourself up for even more problems than you have now.	duckyduck (197)
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