Formatting Disk help

nicksource · 17 Oct 2007 at 13:26

I set my primary boot drive to my DVDR where my Windows XP disc is. It doesn't load, I've tried disabling all other ways of booting etc with no luck.

I can load into my existing Windows and load the disk there and do an install, when the PC restarts it loads the disc and I can format/partition there.

However due to having only 1 partition I can't format it or partition it because the Windows install files are there.

I also can't format while in Windows through Cmd prompt as I'm active on the current partition.

So how do I do it?

I have no floppy drive and it's Windows XP Home.

Dracata · 17 Oct 2007 at 13:33

You need to delete the partition when in the Windows Installation Boot Wizard, instead of trying to install over the top of it.

There should be an option to delete the partion and then format the drive / re-install.

nicksource · 17 Oct 2007 at 13:36

When I try to delete the partition it says it has Windows install files on and can not delete.

Burnsy2023 · 17 Oct 2007 at 13:41

nicksource said:
When I try to delete the partition it says it has Windows install files on and can not delete.

Is this from inside windows or from booting off the Windows disc?

Burnsy

split · 17 Oct 2007 at 13:46

Set the boot order to boot from CD save and exit BIOS.
Sometimes you have to do that twice for it to take effect.

We are assuming this is a bootable CD?

It should say...press any key to boot from CD.

nicksource · 17 Oct 2007 at 13:47

I think it's a bootable CD, how would I know? I've tried 1st/2nd/3rd to boot from CD or 1st and all disabled etc but it won't work.

@Burnsey - Both. I have to start the install in Windows (desktop) to have it boot at startup to the install/format screen. Otherwise the disk won't boot.

Burnsy2023 · 17 Oct 2007 at 13:48

nicksource said:
Both. I have to start the install in Windows (desktop) to have it boot at startup to the install/format screen. Otherwise the disk won't boot.

Thats probably where yo problem lies. You should be able to just boot ofthe disc without doing anything in Windows. Have you checked BIOS boot orders etc?

Burnsy

nicksource · 17 Oct 2007 at 13:54

Yep, I'm guessing my disk isn't bootable just an install/repair one.

But I wouldn't of thought it would have loaded if I installed through Windows desktop and restarted into the XP setup on boot if that is true?

split · 17 Oct 2007 at 13:55

nicksource said:
I think it's a bootable CD, how would I know? I've tried 1st/2nd/3rd to boot from CD or 1st and all disabled etc but it won't work.

If it's a genuine windows disc, it's bootable. If it's a copy it wont be unless it's been made properly.
The only time they are made properly is when someone has slipstreamed a service pack in...say here.
Any disc can be made bootable, but we are getting on dodgy ground here.

I forgot...some of these repair discs that come with PCs are not bootable either.
If you have such a disc and want to see if its bootable go down to "Step 4: Extract a file needed to make your new CD bootable" on above link.
You need ISOBuster to see the Microsoft Corporation.img