Attempting to format my XP drive after a clean install of 7 onto my second HDD
But, XP will have none of it. any way to force the memory management tool to format the XP system drive? I have since done the best i can to do the "cleanup" of the drive manually; slashing and burning every folder on the drive as thoroughly as i can... but even with 2 files and 3 empty folders under the WINDOWS directory, the Mem manager still doesnt want to format. On a related note, there are some permissions issues im having while trying to manually remove all the data, which ill delve into if the force-format cannot be done.If needed i can attach images of what my drive looks like at current in windows explorer, there were some hidden files that i cant seem to find as well... c.cMy chocolate milk will be eagerly awaiting your insights into this somewhat infuriating pickle that ive gotten myself into.Many thanks in advanceSRev1 person got this answerI do too
July 21st, 2010 10:50pm

I'm not sure what you're trying to do. Are you trying to reinstall XP so you'll have a dual-boot? Get rid of a dual-boot and format the drive that has XP? Please clarify.MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
July 22nd, 2010 6:16pm

ah, trying to get rid of a dual-boot and format the XP drive. nothing i can do with the memory manager seems to be able to push past it.
July 24th, 2010 8:39am

I don't know why you'd be trying to do this with a "memory manager" (whatever that is) anyway. If you are unable to format the drive from within Windows 7 (Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Computer Management) because the Windows 7 boot files are on it (as they are), then boot the system with a third-party disk management program and format it that way. After you format the drive now holding XP, you'll need to boot with the Windows 7 installation DVD to fix the startup since Wndows 7's boot files will now be missing.Suggestions for third-party programs which can do this:Acronis Disk DirectorGparted from various Linux Live CDs (Knoppix, Ubuntu)Hard drive mftr.'s website for bootable utilityEtc.MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
July 24th, 2010 3:21pm

Ah yes, its the Win7 computer management thing... disk management, thats the one. At any rate, it wont take to format (in this case) drive I:. Windows 7 is installed and booting from drive C:. Hopefully that can give you a better mental image of the problem... Whenever i attempt to format the disk it gives me a nice dialog box with "windows cannot format the system partition on this disk". Will a third party program be required to over-ride that failsafe? (note that windows xp system files are not located on the 7 drive, theyre on two seperate disks)In liu of not being able to format the drive i have already attempted to manually delete the file contents of the drive, and got as far as a couple of flash files that wont budge for anything. Almost all of these files say that they cant be deleted/modified without permission from admin XXX-XXXXXXX-XXXXXXXXX. ive attached a screenshot of this particular window below.http://img705.imageshack.us/f/adobeerror.png/Ive tried my best to allow permissions to delete the things, but nothing i do in the properties seems to be able get rid of them. Funnily i successfully worked around the entire failsafe system on the system32 and windows system folders aparently Adobe has figured something out about redundant file and program security that MS hasnt, on their own system x.xTanks again, hopefully this info will help flesh out the problem for you in more detail so it might be addressed.... all i wanted was a drive that read 0% used :(SRev
July 25th, 2010 10:07am

Yes, use one of the third-party drive management utilities like the ones I suggested. You won't be in Windows so any problems that the Windows operating system has with deleting the XP operating system files won't be in force. Obviously, make sure you have everything you want off that drive first.MS-MVP - Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
July 25th, 2010 3:18pm

Right then, thanks for the help. will try that :)
July 25th, 2010 8:14pm

This topic is archived. No further replies will be accepted.

Other recent topics Other recent topics