how to format C: drive in win 10?

galadial · 9 Dec 2015 at 21:52

I want to install a new SSD as the C: drive and use my old HDD to store media, but when I boot into windows 10 using the SSD windows won't recognise the old drives presumably because it has a competing win 10 OS installed on it? BUT, if I boot into windows from the old drive then I can't format the old C; drive whilst in windows. Catch 22. So what's the easiest solution to either

1) get the new SSD to recognise the old HDD, so I can format the old OS, or,
2) somehow, format the old HDD c: drive and then see if the new SSD drive will recognise it

Peter

Orcvader · 9 Dec 2015 at 21:55

Just to check, you installed Windows on the SSD with the old HDD unplugged right, to ensure all the boot files stay on the SSD.

Can you see the drive under disk management?

galadial · 9 Dec 2015 at 22:47

@ Orcvader :

Yes exactly right. win 10 OS was installed on the new SSD without the old HDD plugged in, and no, I can't see the old drive in disk mangement once I plug the old drive back in and boot from the new SSD.

Orcvader · 10 Dec 2015 at 00:01

Does device manager see it? Checked it's on a working SATA port? Power cable all fine?

bledd · 10 Dec 2015 at 07:46

Are you sure you're in the Disk Management screen? (Not just My Computer)

galadial · 10 Dec 2015 at 09:19

@Orcvader Yes it's on the same port and power connector as before
@bledd Yes definitely in disk management

Presumably when I boot with the SSD, the OS would reassign drive letters to the old HDD and I should be able to view it? I'm wondering if the SATA ports order the drives are connected to affects things? Will try changing things around tonight?

bledd · 10 Dec 2015 at 09:48

Show a screenshot of Disk Management. It should show all connected devices. Even if it can't read them properly.

stopper · 10 Dec 2015 at 10:23

Unplug your SSD, boot from a Linux live cd/usb, and use gparted to remove all partitions from the old drive.
Plug in the SSD, boot to Windows and use disk management to create new partition and assign a letter on the old drive.

GAM8LE · 10 Dec 2015 at 10:40

I reckon disk management is the issue as it hasn't assigned a drive letter.

Anytime I reinstall windows it doesn't show my storage hdd until I assign a drive letter in disk management.

chaparral · 10 Dec 2015 at 11:43

galadial said:
2) somehow, format the old HDD c: drive and then see if the new SSD drive will recognise it

Peter

Boot from your window 10 USB stick or DVD and format your Hard drive from the windows setup menu..

Nanobot · 10 Dec 2015 at 13:30

If Disk Management can see it, it is probably marked as offline due to Windows drive signature conflict. I'm pretty sure you can still delete the partitions from it even while it is offline? That is of course you have everything you need off it.

galadial · 11 Dec 2015 at 11:29

chaparral said:
Boot from your window 10 USB stick or DVD and format your Hard drive from the windows setup menu..

How do you boot from the DVD? I tried that and the computer went straight into the setup screen?

Sliver · 11 Dec 2015 at 11:39

galadial said:
How do you boot from the DVD? I tried that and the computer went straight into the setup screen?

Set your boot up order in the BIOS.

galadial · 11 Dec 2015 at 11:59

Solved HDD not detected

Obvious really but not obvious. I went into BIOS where both drives were recognised and set the boot order for the SSD and tada! all drives appeared in windows. Quick format of the old HDD and I'm ready to reinstall