Can Not format c:

[MLW]

We have a drive that had NTFS partition ... We deleted the partition ... and now we can format our hard drive

[MLW]

i tried to creat a dos partion and it say not enogh room and it is a 6 gig hdd

i have know clue what to do, and i really would like some help,PLEASE!

[reboot]

Welcome to PCMech.
First you need a good startup diskette that contains fdisk.
At the A:\ prompt, type: fdisk
Hit Enter at the first prompt.
You then want option 3, remove stuff, then 4 remove non-dos partition. ESC
Then option 3 again, and 3 again. ESC
Then option 3 again, then 2. ESC
Then option 3 again, then 1. ESC
Restart to the boot floppy again.
Hit Enter for large disk support.
Then option 1, and YES/Enter to all the prompts.

[Parangles]

http://www.bootdisk.com/txtfiles/hdd.txt

[MLW]

i still get the same thing no space to creat dos partition

it also keeps telling me the format is not supported on drive c:

[homer15]

that makes me think that you may not have actually deleted the partition.

[reboot]

Yup. You need to remove all partitions, including all non-dos ones, then recreate at least one, and make it active.
THEN you'll be able to format.

[MLW]

i have removed all the partions... and tried to create a partition and says insufficient drive space....

[homer15]

when you view partition information in fdisk, it shows absolutley no information?

[MLW]

no info at all, but when you go to c and type dir it has files there

[homer15]

does your system have two drives? if so, then in the main menu of fdisk, you'll have to switch to the other drive. it's option 5.

[MLW]

no just a singal hdd

[homer15]

ok, something isn't jiving here. what partition program are you using?

[MLW]

it was ntfs and i am tyring to put win 98, really not sure

[MLW]

now it tells me that disk write protect

[homer15]

but are you using fdisk? or partition magic? or some other partition program? i was reading over the thread, and nobody actually asked what you're using, we all just assumed fdisk.

edit:

and i forgot to welcome you. welcome to the forums. :)

[MLW]

it is fdisk

[MLW]

i want to thank you all for the help you been, but it still isnt working, hmmm, i have no clue anymore

[reboot]

If you still see files when you do a DIR, then you are NOT using fdisk correctly, or are NOT restarting when you should.
Go to the manufacturer's website (who made your hard drive), and download their utilities to zero fill (low level format) the drive.
Run it.
Once that's done, you'll be able to run fdisk again, and create a primary active partition.

[MLW]

ok i keep get the same thing again, it keeps saying it cant load BDOS kernal

[MLW]

i get that message when i use the Maxtor Disk tools

[reboot]

You need to make the bootdisk from what you downloaded, and start the computer with that disk in the drive.

[morriswindgate]

Get a Zero Fill program start the computer from a 98 bootdisk and run the Zero fill program to get rid of everything on the drive. Then re-partition/format the drive.

http://www.oshvn.net/en/software/zero_fill_utility_version.htm

[glc]

If there are no recognizable partitions on the drive, when you boot with a 98 startup disk, the ramdrive is drive C, thats why you are seeing files. I'd bet that the NTFS partition is not gone, you need to zero fill or use Delpart.

http://www.russelltexas.com/delpart.htm

[MLW]

i did zero it out but i when i go to fdisk is says theres no hd to be found and its all hooked up. wait one min i need to set the Bios..DUH!

i will let you all know whats up, again thank all of you for your help

[reboot]

Heh...get the BIOS setup for the drive, and it will fdisk.
Don't forget to make the first partition active.

[mike breck]

Here's a little guide to Partitioning and Formatting for ya

http://www.muisejt.com/fdisk/fdisk.html

[MLW]

cool i havent got to it yet today thanks for the info....

[kissfan]

A bit late with this I know, but check in the BIOS to make sure that Anti-Virus protection is not enabled.

just a thought.

[AlwaysUp]

GLC, is correct with his suggestion of using delpart.exe which was a utility in the Resource kit that came with the early version of NT. It deletes NT partitions that fdisk which served earlier OS's quite well but has problems deleting NTFS. There is a MS Knowledgebase article to this effect, but as I am at work I don't have the page link to send ya.
Link originally posted by GLC, to me in another thread.
http://www.russelltexas.com/delpart.htm

[MLW]

yell i have called maxtor and they said they where going to send me a new drive... Thank you all very much you all were much help