Computer Experts - Need Your Help

[cutie pie]

I am currently running Win 2K with the NTFS file system. I want to reformat the hard drive and do a re-install but I can't figure out how to do it. I keep getting an error about the drive being locked.

I was using the format c: /s command. . .is this wrong?

Thanks in advance.

 

[daedalius]

I am currently running Win 2K with the NTFS file system. I want to reformat the hard drive and do a re-install but I can't figure out how to do it. I keep getting an error about the drive being locked.

I was using the format c: /s command. . .is this wrong?

Thanks in advance.

If ou'd like to drop me a line I can guide you through it but my question first wouldn be why you need to do this?

 

[daedalius]

Re: Re: Computer Experts - Need Your Help

If you'd like to drop me a line I can guide you through it but my question first would be why you need to do this?

 

[The Heretic]

I am currently running Win 2K with the NTFS file system. I want to reformat the hard drive and do a re-install but I can't figure out how to do it. I keep getting an error about the drive being locked.

I was using the format c: /s command. . .is this wrong?

Thanks in advance.

Yes, that is wrong. I think this is the proper syntax:

FORMAT /fs:ntfs

You must then install W2K onto the partition - you can't just install a command shell only like with DOS/Win9x (I don't think so anyway, I never tried).

Why are you doing this? If you already have W2K installed, and already have a NTFS drive, there are very few reasons why you would need to reformat the drive. If you are trying to wipe out personal info, there are free utilities that will do that quite well without having to reformat the drive and reinstall the OS.

Also, I am assuming you are not booting from the hard drive you are trying to format? If so you won't be able to format it - you will need to boot from a floppy or CD. That could be the reason why you get an error that it is locked.

 

[cutie pie]

I am doing this because I installed Win2K over Win98 and it now has some major bugs.

A computer geek friend saw this right after I posted and called me. He gave me some pointers. I'll try those and if it doesn't work out, I'll be back.

 

[The Heretic]

I am doing this because I installed Win2K over Win98 and it now has some major bugs.

A computer geek friend saw this right after I posted and called me. He gave me some pointers. I'll try those and if it doesn't work out, I'll be back.

Well, I will go out on a limb and say that even if you installed W2K over W98 you shouldn't have any problems, especially if your bootable partition is NTFS - unless you converted a FAT partition to NTFS, and then maybe some things might happen. Just the same, I have done both with no problems.

However, sometimes problems happen and failing any other resolution reinstalling the OS is necessary. I haven't had to do this since moving from NT4 to W2K - but I used to have to reinstall NT4 about every 6 months, although it was more stable than any Win9x version.

 

[Georgia Girl]

pppppssssttttttt

I don't know diddle about puters

but

I know you are adorable and I miss you.

Have a good evening and good luck with your system