I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase), instead of a
complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard drive
and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system disk,
replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this message
comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot from
CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the operating
system it got to the point where it says something to this nature: make sure
to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your computer.
That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does a
quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase the
whole disk and have it completely clean.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, attilathehun1

Re: formatting hard drive by Don

Don
Sun May 04 06:10:45 PDT 2008

"attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:60085236-045B-460D-BBB4-81572A775FB3@microsoft.com...

> I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase), instead of
a
> complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard
drive
> and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system disk,
> replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this
message
> comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot from
> CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the operating
> system it got to the point where it says something to this nature: make
sure
> to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your computer.
> That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does a
> quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase the
> whole disk and have it completely clean.

Better repost with fulll details. It looks as if you want to instal
a second operating system: if so you need a boot manager
(as found in most Linux distros and WinXP but not in Win98:
I do not know about WinME.)
1. What hard drives are installed, with what OS, and what
do you want to instal?
2. BIOS menus are usually reached by interrupting reboot
process with the DEL key. How did you attempt (and fail) to reach
BIOS menus?

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)



Re: formatting hard drive by philo

philo
Sun May 04 06:33:49 PDT 2008


"attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:60085236-045B-460D-BBB4-81572A775FB3@microsoft.com...
> I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase), instead of
a
> complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard
drive
> and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system disk,
> replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this
message
> comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot from
> CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the operating
> system it got to the point where it says something to this nature: make
sure
> to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your computer.
> That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does a
> quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase the
> whole disk and have it completely clean.
> Any help would be greatly appreciated.
> Thanks,
attilathehun1


Your problem is not due to the quick format...
the real question is: How, exactly is your *main* drive setup?

Though Windows can be installed on your slave drive,
the files needed to boot Windows will not be installed there...
they can only be installed to an active primary partition...
and that partition must be formatted as fat32 (or fat16).

Once you post back with the information concerning your main drive...
it should be fairly straight-forward to fully ascertain the situation.


As to the question of full format vs quick format:

The full format tests the drive as it is performing the operation
of assigning your drive as "free space". If the drive has any bad sectors on
it,
they will be mapped out. Other than that, the quick format "erases" your
drive
just as completely as the full format.




Re: formatting hard drive by attilathehun1

attilathehun1
Sun May 04 11:06:02 PDT 2008


Ok, I took the drive. Western Digital 20 GB, out that had Window ME OS
running on it and stuck it into the PC as a slave that had Windows 98 SE
operating system on it. The Windows 98 SE PC has a 10 GB Seagate hard drive.
This is usually how I format my drives. Stick them into a PC as a slave and
then format. I presume that's is how it's done. If there is an easier way to
format a drive that is a master or single drive, then please tell me. A drive
that has the primary operating system or only operating system on it can't be
formatted, right?
Ok, so now I did the quick format (erase) and stuck the Western Digital
back into the PC that has 320 MB of RAM and a Pentium III. When I tried to
reinstall the Windows ME OS into the Western Digital it gets to the point
where it says:
Please wait while Setup initializes.
Scanning system registry...
Copying files needed for Windows Setup...
Please remove any floppy disks from your drives and press any key to
restart your system.
Then it just keeps blinking. I mean the symbol hyphen keeps on quickly
blinking. That's as far as I get.
I'm using a burnt Window ME OS disk. It's not from the Manufacturer. I've
used this copy about 25 times. I don't think that's the problem.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Attilathehun1


--
attilathehun1


"Don Phillipson" wrote:

> "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:60085236-045B-460D-BBB4-81572A775FB3@microsoft.com...
>
> > I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase), instead of
> a
> > complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard
> drive
> > and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system disk,
> > replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this
> message
> > comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot from
> > CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the operating
> > system it got to the point where it says something to this nature: make
> sure
> > to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your computer.
> > That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does a
> > quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase the
> > whole disk and have it completely clean.
>
> Better repost with fulll details. It looks as if you want to instal
> a second operating system: if so you need a boot manager
> (as found in most Linux distros and WinXP but not in Win98:
> I do not know about WinME.)
> 1. What hard drives are installed, with what OS, and what
> do you want to instal?
> 2. BIOS menus are usually reached by interrupting reboot
> process with the DEL key. How did you attempt (and fail) to reach
> BIOS menus?
>
> --
> Don Phillipson
> Carlsbad Springs
> (Ottawa, Canada)
>
>
>

Re: formatting hard drive by attilathehun1

attilathehun1
Sun May 04 11:12:00 PDT 2008


--
attilathehun1


"Don Phillipson" wrote:

> "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:60085236-045B-460D-BBB4-81572A775FB3@microsoft.com...
>
> > I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase), instead of
> a
> > complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard
> drive
> > and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system disk,
> > replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this
> message
> > comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot from
> > CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the operating
> > system it got to the point where it says something to this nature: make
> sure
> > to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your computer.
> > That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does a
> > quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase the
> > whole disk and have it completely clean.
>
> Better repost with fulll details. It looks as if you want to instal
> a second operating system: if so you need a boot manager
> (as found in most Linux distros and WinXP but not in Win98:
> I do not know about WinME.)
> 1. What hard drives are installed, with what OS, and what
> do you want to instal?
> 2. BIOS menus are usually reached by interrupting reboot
> process with the DEL key. How did you attempt (and fail) to reach
> BIOS menus?
>
> --
> Don Phillipson
> Carlsbad Springs
> (Ottawa, Canada)
>
>
>

Re: formatting hard drive by attilathehun1

attilathehun1
Sun May 04 11:18:01 PDT 2008

Oh, that's probably the problem. I didn't partition the drive, I just
formatted it. Ok, I'll give that a shot.
I think I partition the drive during the Setup process, right?
I not even getting to that point. Let me check again, hold on. Nope, it's
still where it says to remove any floppy disks..etc
I know a new drive is partitioned while your loading up the OS.
If I'm wrong about the partition process, please tell me.
Thanks, attilathehun1
--
attilathehun1


"philo" wrote:

>
> "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:60085236-045B-460D-BBB4-81572A775FB3@microsoft.com...
> > I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase), instead of
> a
> > complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard
> drive
> > and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system disk,
> > replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this
> message
> > comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot from
> > CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the operating
> > system it got to the point where it says something to this nature: make
> sure
> > to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your computer.
> > That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does a
> > quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase the
> > whole disk and have it completely clean.
> > Any help would be greatly appreciated.
> > Thanks,
> attilathehun1
>
>
> Your problem is not due to the quick format...
> the real question is: How, exactly is your *main* drive setup?
>
> Though Windows can be installed on your slave drive,
> the files needed to boot Windows will not be installed there...
> they can only be installed to an active primary partition...
> and that partition must be formatted as fat32 (or fat16).
>
> Once you post back with the information concerning your main drive...
> it should be fairly straight-forward to fully ascertain the situation.
>
>
> As to the question of full format vs quick format:
>
> The full format tests the drive as it is performing the operation
> of assigning your drive as "free space". If the drive has any bad sectors on
> it,
> they will be mapped out. Other than that, the quick format "erases" your
> drive
> just as completely as the full format.
>
>
>
>

Re: formatting hard drive by philo

philo
Sun May 04 11:32:19 PDT 2008


"attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:EAB6FB7A-D6F3-43CB-9B80-2CE4D4558FCD@microsoft.com...
> Oh, that's probably the problem. I didn't partition the drive, I just
> formatted it. Ok, I'll give that a shot.
> I think I partition the drive during the Setup process, right?
> I not even getting to that point. Let me check again, hold on. Nope, it's
> still where it says to remove any floppy disks..etc
> I know a new drive is partitioned while your loading up the OS.
> If I'm wrong about the partition process, please tell me.
> Thanks,
attilathehun1
>


No!

It is *impossible* to format a drive unless it has been partitioned first.
Since you have not answered the question that I asked you, there is no way I
can help you
nor is it likely anyone can guess how you have setup your primary harddrive.



Re: formatting hard drive by Gary

Gary
Sun May 04 12:07:41 PDT 2008


"attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:A2356B85-3706-493E-8403-15D260C82FEA@microsoft.com...
> Ok, I took the drive. Western Digital 20 GB, out that had Window ME OS
> running on it and stuck it into the PC as a slave that had Windows 98 SE
> operating system on it. The Windows 98 SE PC has a 10 GB Seagate hard
> drive.
> This is usually how I format my drives. Stick them into a PC as a slave
> and
> then format. I presume that's is how it's done. If there is an easier way
> to
> format a drive that is a master or single drive, then please tell me. A
> drive
> that has the primary operating system or only operating system on it can't
> be
> formatted, right?
> Ok, so now I did the quick format (erase) and stuck the Western Digital
> back into the PC that has 320 MB of RAM and a Pentium III. When I tried to
> reinstall the Windows ME OS into the Western Digital it gets to the point
> where it says:
> Please wait while Setup initializes.
> Scanning system registry...
> Copying files needed for Windows Setup...
> Please remove any floppy disks from your drives and press any key to
> restart your system.

And did you press any key? And if that doesn't do anything, did you try
restarting manually after removing all discs, CD and floppy (and bootable
USB stick, whatever...)? And if that didn't work, did you try running SETUP
again?

Maybe you should start over: Actually, the easy way to format a drive is to
use a floppy Windows boot disk. If you don't have one, go to bootdisk.com,
download the WINME version http://vcic.com/vault/bootme.exe and make sure
you have a handful of floppies to try, since floppies are getting older and
older and less trustworthy.

You should make such a disk, boot to it on the machine that has the
"problem" drive in it. I presume you have re-jumpered the drive and it is
now Primary Master. RIGHT? When you get to the question, choose "without
CDROM support." When it gets to the A:\> prompt, run the following command:
FORMAT C:

Since there was a problem, do a full format. (Otherwise you'd use the
following command for "quick" format:
FORMAT C: /q

Yes, you can format a drive with an OS on it. Formatting wipes EVERYTHING
and leaves you with a blank, usable disk.

When the formatting is done, remove the floppy, insert the WinME CD, and use
Ctrl-Alt-Del to restart the system. The WinME disc should crank up and you
can go from there.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com



> Then it just keeps blinking. I mean the symbol hyphen keeps on quickly
> blinking. That's as far as I get.
> I'm using a burnt Window ME OS disk. It's not from the Manufacturer. I've
> used this copy about 25 times. I don't think that's the problem.
> Any help would be greatly appreciated.
> Thanks, Attilathehun1
>
>
> --
> attilathehun1
>
>
> "Don Phillipson" wrote:
>
>> "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> message
>> news:60085236-045B-460D-BBB4-81572A775FB3@microsoft.com...
>>
>> > I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase), instead
>> > of
>> a
>> > complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard
>> drive
>> > and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system
>> > disk,
>> > replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this
>> message
>> > comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot from
>> > CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the
>> > operating
>> > system it got to the point where it says something to this nature: make
>> sure
>> > to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your
>> > computer.
>> > That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does
>> > a
>> > quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase
>> > the
>> > whole disk and have it completely clean.
>>
>> Better repost with fulll details. It looks as if you want to instal
>> a second operating system: if so you need a boot manager
>> (as found in most Linux distros and WinXP but not in Win98:
>> I do not know about WinME.)
>> 1. What hard drives are installed, with what OS, and what
>> do you want to instal?
>> 2. BIOS menus are usually reached by interrupting reboot
>> process with the DEL key. How did you attempt (and fail) to reach
>> BIOS menus?
>>
>> --
>> Don Phillipson
>> Carlsbad Springs
>> (Ottawa, Canada)
>>
>>
>>


Re: formatting hard drive by Gary

Gary
Sun May 04 12:19:10 PDT 2008

I see what you were getting at -- no, an OS can't format its own partition.
But using a floppy-based OS like that on a Windows Startup floppy (or a CD
version) is MUCH easier than moving the drive to another machine and back.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com

"Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message
news:eYYVophrIHA.1316@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>
> "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:A2356B85-3706-493E-8403-15D260C82FEA@microsoft.com...
>> Ok, I took the drive. Western Digital 20 GB, out that had Window ME OS
>> running on it and stuck it into the PC as a slave that had Windows 98 SE
>> operating system on it. The Windows 98 SE PC has a 10 GB Seagate hard
>> drive.
>> This is usually how I format my drives. Stick them into a PC as a slave
>> and
>> then format. I presume that's is how it's done. If there is an easier way
>> to
>> format a drive that is a master or single drive, then please tell me. A
>> drive
>> that has the primary operating system or only operating system on it
>> can't be
>> formatted, right?
>> Ok, so now I did the quick format (erase) and stuck the Western Digital
>> back into the PC that has 320 MB of RAM and a Pentium III. When I tried
>> to
>> reinstall the Windows ME OS into the Western Digital it gets to the point
>> where it says:
>> Please wait while Setup initializes.
>> Scanning system registry...
>> Copying files needed for Windows Setup...
>> Please remove any floppy disks from your drives and press any key to
>> restart your system.
>
> And did you press any key? And if that doesn't do anything, did you try
> restarting manually after removing all discs, CD and floppy (and bootable
> USB stick, whatever...)? And if that didn't work, did you try running
> SETUP again?
>
> Maybe you should start over: Actually, the easy way to format a drive is
> to use a floppy Windows boot disk. If you don't have one, go to
> bootdisk.com, download the WINME version http://vcic.com/vault/bootme.exe
> and make sure you have a handful of floppies to try, since floppies are
> getting older and older and less trustworthy.
>
> You should make such a disk, boot to it on the machine that has the
> "problem" drive in it. I presume you have re-jumpered the drive and it is
> now Primary Master. RIGHT? When you get to the question, choose "without
> CDROM support." When it gets to the A:\> prompt, run the following
> command:
> FORMAT C:
>
> Since there was a problem, do a full format. (Otherwise you'd use the
> following command for "quick" format:
> FORMAT C: /q
>
> Yes, you can format a drive with an OS on it. Formatting wipes EVERYTHING
> and leaves you with a blank, usable disk.
>
> When the formatting is done, remove the floppy, insert the WinME CD, and
> use
> Ctrl-Alt-Del to restart the system. The WinME disc should crank up and you
> can go from there.
>
> --
> Gary S. Terhune
> MS-MVP Shell/User
> www.grystmill.com
>
>
>
>> Then it just keeps blinking. I mean the symbol hyphen keeps on quickly
>> blinking. That's as far as I get.
>> I'm using a burnt Window ME OS disk. It's not from the Manufacturer. I've
>> used this copy about 25 times. I don't think that's the problem.
>> Any help would be greatly appreciated.
>> Thanks, Attilathehun1
>>
>>
>> --
>> attilathehun1
>>
>>
>> "Don Phillipson" wrote:
>>
>>> "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>>> message
>>> news:60085236-045B-460D-BBB4-81572A775FB3@microsoft.com...
>>>
>>> > I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase),
>>> > instead of
>>> a
>>> > complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard
>>> drive
>>> > and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system
>>> > disk,
>>> > replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this
>>> message
>>> > comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot
>>> > from
>>> > CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the
>>> > operating
>>> > system it got to the point where it says something to this nature:
>>> > make
>>> sure
>>> > to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your
>>> > computer.
>>> > That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does
>>> > a
>>> > quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase
>>> > the
>>> > whole disk and have it completely clean.
>>>
>>> Better repost with fulll details. It looks as if you want to instal
>>> a second operating system: if so you need a boot manager
>>> (as found in most Linux distros and WinXP but not in Win98:
>>> I do not know about WinME.)
>>> 1. What hard drives are installed, with what OS, and what
>>> do you want to instal?
>>> 2. BIOS menus are usually reached by interrupting reboot
>>> process with the DEL key. How did you attempt (and fail) to reach
>>> BIOS menus?
>>>
>>> --
>>> Don Phillipson
>>> Carlsbad Springs
>>> (Ottawa, Canada)
>>>
>>>
>>>
>


Re: formatting hard drive by attilathehun1

attilathehun1
Sun May 04 13:27:00 PDT 2008

I tried doing maybe 5 times over. I removed any floppies or CDs from the PC.
I think your right with having to partition the drive ahead of time. I
presume I can partition the drive after formatting as a slave? Anotherwords,
after I format the drive as a slave, I can then start the partition process?
Any response will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, attilathehun1
--
attilathehun1


"Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

> I see what you were getting at -- no, an OS can't format its own partition.
> But using a floppy-based OS like that on a Windows Startup floppy (or a CD
> version) is MUCH easier than moving the drive to another machine and back.
>
> --
> Gary S. Terhune
> MS-MVP Shell/User
> www.grystmill.com
>
> "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message
> news:eYYVophrIHA.1316@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> >
> > "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:A2356B85-3706-493E-8403-15D260C82FEA@microsoft.com...
> >> Ok, I took the drive. Western Digital 20 GB, out that had Window ME OS
> >> running on it and stuck it into the PC as a slave that had Windows 98 SE
> >> operating system on it. The Windows 98 SE PC has a 10 GB Seagate hard
> >> drive.
> >> This is usually how I format my drives. Stick them into a PC as a slave
> >> and
> >> then format. I presume that's is how it's done. If there is an easier way
> >> to
> >> format a drive that is a master or single drive, then please tell me. A
> >> drive
> >> that has the primary operating system or only operating system on it
> >> can't be
> >> formatted, right?
> >> Ok, so now I did the quick format (erase) and stuck the Western Digital
> >> back into the PC that has 320 MB of RAM and a Pentium III. When I tried
> >> to
> >> reinstall the Windows ME OS into the Western Digital it gets to the point
> >> where it says:
> >> Please wait while Setup initializes.
> >> Scanning system registry...
> >> Copying files needed for Windows Setup...
> >> Please remove any floppy disks from your drives and press any key to
> >> restart your system.
> >
> > And did you press any key? And if that doesn't do anything, did you try
> > restarting manually after removing all discs, CD and floppy (and bootable
> > USB stick, whatever...)? And if that didn't work, did you try running
> > SETUP again?
> >
> > Maybe you should start over: Actually, the easy way to format a drive is
> > to use a floppy Windows boot disk. If you don't have one, go to
> > bootdisk.com, download the WINME version http://vcic.com/vault/bootme.exe
> > and make sure you have a handful of floppies to try, since floppies are
> > getting older and older and less trustworthy.
> >
> > You should make such a disk, boot to it on the machine that has the
> > "problem" drive in it. I presume you have re-jumpered the drive and it is
> > now Primary Master. RIGHT? When you get to the question, choose "without
> > CDROM support." When it gets to the A:\> prompt, run the following
> > command:
> > FORMAT C:
> >
> > Since there was a problem, do a full format. (Otherwise you'd use the
> > following command for "quick" format:
> > FORMAT C: /q
> >
> > Yes, you can format a drive with an OS on it. Formatting wipes EVERYTHING
> > and leaves you with a blank, usable disk.
> >
> > When the formatting is done, remove the floppy, insert the WinME CD, and
> > use
> > Ctrl-Alt-Del to restart the system. The WinME disc should crank up and you
> > can go from there.
> >
> > --
> > Gary S. Terhune
> > MS-MVP Shell/User
> > www.grystmill.com
> >
> >
> >
> >> Then it just keeps blinking. I mean the symbol hyphen keeps on quickly
> >> blinking. That's as far as I get.
> >> I'm using a burnt Window ME OS disk. It's not from the Manufacturer. I've
> >> used this copy about 25 times. I don't think that's the problem.
> >> Any help would be greatly appreciated.
> >> Thanks, Attilathehun1
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> attilathehun1
> >>
> >>
> >> "Don Phillipson" wrote:
> >>
> >>> "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> >>> message
> >>> news:60085236-045B-460D-BBB4-81572A775FB3@microsoft.com...
> >>>
> >>> > I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase),
> >>> > instead of
> >>> a
> >>> > complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard
> >>> drive
> >>> > and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system
> >>> > disk,
> >>> > replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this
> >>> message
> >>> > comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot
> >>> > from
> >>> > CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the
> >>> > operating
> >>> > system it got to the point where it says something to this nature:
> >>> > make
> >>> sure
> >>> > to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your
> >>> > computer.
> >>> > That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does
> >>> > a
> >>> > quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase
> >>> > the
> >>> > whole disk and have it completely clean.
> >>>
> >>> Better repost with fulll details. It looks as if you want to instal
> >>> a second operating system: if so you need a boot manager
> >>> (as found in most Linux distros and WinXP but not in Win98:
> >>> I do not know about WinME.)
> >>> 1. What hard drives are installed, with what OS, and what
> >>> do you want to instal?
> >>> 2. BIOS menus are usually reached by interrupting reboot
> >>> process with the DEL key. How did you attempt (and fail) to reach
> >>> BIOS menus?
> >>>
> >>> --
> >>> Don Phillipson
> >>> Carlsbad Springs
> >>> (Ottawa, Canada)
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >
>
>

Re: formatting hard drive by attilathehun1

attilathehun1
Sun May 04 13:33:00 PDT 2008

Ok, I thought it was the other way around, that you had to first format it
and then partition it. Well I glad that question has been answered.
I using only 1 drive per PC. The only reason I put a slave in is to format
it and erase the drive when it's in the slave position. I see there is
another easier way to format the drive using a boot disk floppy or CD? I
thought any drive with the existing master operating system that the computer
is using right now cannot be messed with. Anotherwords, no formatting while
it's being used as the primary OS. If I'm wrong there, then tell me please.
Thanks, attilathehun1
--
attilathehun1


"philo" wrote:

>
> "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:EAB6FB7A-D6F3-43CB-9B80-2CE4D4558FCD@microsoft.com...
> > Oh, that's probably the problem. I didn't partition the drive, I just
> > formatted it. Ok, I'll give that a shot.
> > I think I partition the drive during the Setup process, right?
> > I not even getting to that point. Let me check again, hold on. Nope, it's
> > still where it says to remove any floppy disks..etc
> > I know a new drive is partitioned while your loading up the OS.
> > If I'm wrong about the partition process, please tell me.
> > Thanks,
> attilathehun1
> >
>
>
> No!
>
> It is *impossible* to format a drive unless it has been partitioned first.
> Since you have not answered the question that I asked you, there is no way I
> can help you
> nor is it likely anyone can guess how you have setup your primary harddrive.
>
>
>

Re: formatting hard drive by philo

philo
Sun May 04 13:46:53 PDT 2008


"attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:BA55A430-2A3F-4FD4-AE6C-16AE87680053@microsoft.com...
> Ok, I thought it was the other way around, that you had to first format it
> and then partition it. Well I glad that question has been answered.
> I using only 1 drive per PC. The only reason I put a slave in is to
format
> it and erase the drive when it's in the slave position. I see there is
> another easier way to format the drive using a boot disk floppy or CD? I
> thought any drive with the existing master operating system that the
computer
> is using right now cannot be messed with. Anotherwords, no formatting
while
> it's being used as the primary OS. If I'm wrong there, then tell me
please.
> Thanks,
attilathehun1
>


Thank you for clarifying. I think I was about to take a guess and ask if
maybe you removed the
primary drive...or had put the slave in another machine.

If you plan to just have *one* drive per machine...
take that particular drive and put it in the machine in which you intend to
use it.
I guess it does not really matter, but you really should jumper it as
master.

Since it was a slave drive I don't know if it was set active...
so with your boot floppy run fdisk and if it is not set active...be sure to
do so...
but make no more changes.

Now your installation of Windows should work.

I am still not 100% sure of what you have done...
but you are correct that when you have a main drive in your machine
and you want to put in a second drive...just to format it (for example)
you are smart to remove the main drive so there is no chance of accidentally
destroying your data



Re: formatting hard drive by Gary

Gary
Sun May 04 17:28:05 PDT 2008

No, no, no.... You partition the disk first, then format the partition. And,
as I said, you don't normally move a hard drive to another machine to format
it (or partition it, for that matter.) You use a Windows Startup disk,
usually a bootable floppy, but you can also get a bootable CD version.

Boot to the floppy startup disk and start without CDROM support. When you
get to the A:\> prompt, run FDISK. When asked about large drive support, say
yes. At the menu, choose 4. to display partition info. It should say
"Current fixed disk drive: 1" and then a list of partitions that should only
include one:

C: should be Partition 1, its Status should be Active, its Type should be
PRI DOS. Is all that true?

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com

"attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:B67D8C22-7666-4453-8CD0-744B98829739@microsoft.com...
>I tried doing maybe 5 times over. I removed any floppies or CDs from the
>PC.
> I think your right with having to partition the drive ahead of time. I
> presume I can partition the drive after formatting as a slave?
> Anotherwords,
> after I format the drive as a slave, I can then start the partition
> process?
> Any response will be greatly appreciated.
> Thanks, attilathehun1
> --
> attilathehun1
>
>
> "Gary S. Terhune" wrote:
>
>> I see what you were getting at -- no, an OS can't format its own
>> partition.
>> But using a floppy-based OS like that on a Windows Startup floppy (or a
>> CD
>> version) is MUCH easier than moving the drive to another machine and
>> back.
>>
>> --
>> Gary S. Terhune
>> MS-MVP Shell/User
>> www.grystmill.com
>>
>> "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message
>> news:eYYVophrIHA.1316@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> >
>> > "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> > message
>> > news:A2356B85-3706-493E-8403-15D260C82FEA@microsoft.com...
>> >> Ok, I took the drive. Western Digital 20 GB, out that had Window ME OS
>> >> running on it and stuck it into the PC as a slave that had Windows 98
>> >> SE
>> >> operating system on it. The Windows 98 SE PC has a 10 GB Seagate hard
>> >> drive.
>> >> This is usually how I format my drives. Stick them into a PC as a
>> >> slave
>> >> and
>> >> then format. I presume that's is how it's done. If there is an easier
>> >> way
>> >> to
>> >> format a drive that is a master or single drive, then please tell me.
>> >> A
>> >> drive
>> >> that has the primary operating system or only operating system on it
>> >> can't be
>> >> formatted, right?
>> >> Ok, so now I did the quick format (erase) and stuck the Western
>> >> Digital
>> >> back into the PC that has 320 MB of RAM and a Pentium III. When I
>> >> tried
>> >> to
>> >> reinstall the Windows ME OS into the Western Digital it gets to the
>> >> point
>> >> where it says:
>> >> Please wait while Setup initializes.
>> >> Scanning system registry...
>> >> Copying files needed for Windows Setup...
>> >> Please remove any floppy disks from your drives and press any key to
>> >> restart your system.
>> >
>> > And did you press any key? And if that doesn't do anything, did you try
>> > restarting manually after removing all discs, CD and floppy (and
>> > bootable
>> > USB stick, whatever...)? And if that didn't work, did you try running
>> > SETUP again?
>> >
>> > Maybe you should start over: Actually, the easy way to format a drive
>> > is
>> > to use a floppy Windows boot disk. If you don't have one, go to
>> > bootdisk.com, download the WINME version
>> > http://vcic.com/vault/bootme.exe
>> > and make sure you have a handful of floppies to try, since floppies are
>> > getting older and older and less trustworthy.
>> >
>> > You should make such a disk, boot to it on the machine that has the
>> > "problem" drive in it. I presume you have re-jumpered the drive and it
>> > is
>> > now Primary Master. RIGHT? When you get to the question, choose
>> > "without
>> > CDROM support." When it gets to the A:\> prompt, run the following
>> > command:
>> > FORMAT C:
>> >
>> > Since there was a problem, do a full format. (Otherwise you'd use the
>> > following command for "quick" format:
>> > FORMAT C: /q
>> >
>> > Yes, you can format a drive with an OS on it. Formatting wipes
>> > EVERYTHING
>> > and leaves you with a blank, usable disk.
>> >
>> > When the formatting is done, remove the floppy, insert the WinME CD,
>> > and
>> > use
>> > Ctrl-Alt-Del to restart the system. The WinME disc should crank up and
>> > you
>> > can go from there.
>> >
>> > --
>> > Gary S. Terhune
>> > MS-MVP Shell/User
&