formating through fdisk

[Guest]

i recently donwloaded some mp3 files from winmx and i was left with some
incomplete mp3 files and i can not delete them it keeps telling me they are
being used by another user "but the file are empty" it was sugested to me i
should format the d drive through fdisk but how to do this is not know by me
as i am just starting out on xp pro please help i have cut and copied the
files i wish to save to my 40gig c drive that is full now and slowed
everything down including me it seems please send me details

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

The Windows XP CD is bootable and contains all the tools necessary
to partition and format your drive. Follow this procedure and allow
Windows XP to partition and format your drive:

NOTE: It would be best to physically disconnect all your peripheral hardware
devices, except the monitor, mouse and keyboard, before installing XP.

NOTE: If you have an internal Zip Drive installed, physically disconnect the
EIDE and power cable to it before proceeding, otherwise your main
hard drive may not be assigned the customary C: drive letter.
After installing Windows XP, you may then reconnect it.

1. Open your BIOS and set your "CD Drive as the first bootable device".

===> Accessing Motherboard BIOS
===> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

2. Insert your Windows XP CD in the CD Drive and reboot your computer.
3. You'll see a message to boot to the CD....follow the instructions.
4. The setup menu will appear and you should elect to delete all the existing
Windows partitions, then create a new partition, then format the primary
partition (preferably NTFS) and proceed to install Windows XP.

5. Clean Install Windows XP
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

[Courtesy of Michael Stevens, MS-MVP]

6. ==> Immediately after installing Windows XP, turn on XP's Firewall.
==> http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.mspx

7. After Windows XP is installed, visit the Windows Update website
and download the available "Critical Updates".

8. After installing the critical updates, be sure and visit the support website
of the manufacturer of the computer to download and install any
available Windows XP compatible drivers, such as video adapter
and audio drivers.

9. If you happen to run into any installation difficulties, use the following resources:

How to Troubleshoot Windows XP Problems During Installation
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;3100­64

Troubleshooting Windows XP Setup
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_setup.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Kelly Theriot]

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

Get Windows XP Service Pack 2 with Advanced Security Technologies:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsxp/choose.mspx

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

|i recently donwloaded some mp3 files from winmx and i was left with some
| incomplete mp3 files and i can not delete them it keeps telling me they are
| being used by another user "but the file are empty" it was sugested to me i
| should format the d drive through fdisk but how to do this is not know by me
| as i am just starting out on xp pro please help i have cut and copied the
| files i wish to save to my 40gig c drive that is full now and slowed
| everything down including me it seems please send me details

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

You really should have read the full post Carey.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

The Windows XP CD is bootable and contains all the tools necessary
to partition and format your drive. Follow this procedure and allow
Windows XP to partition and format your drive:

NOTE: It would be best to physically disconnect all your peripheral
hardware
devices, except the monitor, mouse and keyboard, before
installing XP.

NOTE: If you have an internal Zip Drive installed, physically disconnect
the
EIDE and power cable to it before proceeding, otherwise your
main
hard drive may not be assigned the customary C: drive letter.
After installing Windows XP, you may then reconnect it.

1. Open your BIOS and set your "CD Drive as the first bootable device".

===> Accessing Motherboard BIOS
===> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

2. Insert your Windows XP CD in the CD Drive and reboot your computer.
3. You'll see a message to boot to the CD....follow the instructions.
4. The setup menu will appear and you should elect to delete all the
existing
Windows partitions, then create a new partition, then format the
primary
partition (preferably NTFS) and proceed to install Windows XP.

5. Clean Install Windows XP
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

[Courtesy of Michael Stevens, MS-MVP]

6. ==> Immediately after installing Windows XP, turn on XP's Firewall.
==> http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.mspx

7. After Windows XP is installed, visit the Windows Update website
and download the available "Critical Updates".

8. After installing the critical updates, be sure and visit the support
website
of the manufacturer of the computer to download and install any
available Windows XP compatible drivers, such as video adapter
and audio drivers.

9. If you happen to run into any installation difficulties, use the
following resources:

How to Troubleshoot Windows XP Problems During Installation
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;3100­64

Troubleshooting Windows XP Setup
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_setup.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Kelly Theriot]

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

Get Windows XP Service Pack 2 with Advanced Security Technologies:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsxp/choose.mspx

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

|i recently donwloaded some mp3 files from winmx and i was left with some
| incomplete mp3 files and i can not delete them it keeps telling me they
are
| being used by another user "but the file are empty" it was sugested to
me i
| should format the d drive through fdisk but how to do this is not know
by me
| as i am just starting out on xp pro please help i have cut and copied
the
| files i wish to save to my 40gig c drive that is full now and slowed
| everything down including me it seems please send me details

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

First make sure WinMX is closed. If not, look on the transfer page and see
if the partial files are listed there. If so, right-click them and choose
delete file. Otherwise, if it is fully closed (meaning you don't see the
icon in the system tray at all), hit ctrl+shift+escape and go to the
processes tab. Look for winmx.exe and kill it if it is. Then open Windows
Explorer to the folder that contains the partial files and try to delete
them. If you are not successful, please post back with the exact error
message.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Tom]

I guess reading the actual post is beyond you isn't it? Again, you see the
subject line, make a post, and run. Give it up, if you aren't going to spend
the time reading the post, Carey!

The Windows XP CD is bootable and contains all the tools necessary
to partition and format your drive. Follow this procedure and allow
Windows XP to partition and format your drive:

NOTE: It would be best to physically disconnect all your peripheral
hardware
devices, except the monitor, mouse and keyboard, before
installing XP.

NOTE: If you have an internal Zip Drive installed, physically disconnect
the
EIDE and power cable to it before proceeding, otherwise your
main
hard drive may not be assigned the customary C: drive letter.
After installing Windows XP, you may then reconnect it.

1. Open your BIOS and set your "CD Drive as the first bootable device".

===> Accessing Motherboard BIOS
===> http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/bios_manufacturer.htm

2. Insert your Windows XP CD in the CD Drive and reboot your computer.
3. You'll see a message to boot to the CD....follow the instructions.
4. The setup menu will appear and you should elect to delete all the
existing
Windows partitions, then create a new partition, then format the
primary
partition (preferably NTFS) and proceed to install Windows XP.

5. Clean Install Windows XP
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

[Courtesy of Michael Stevens, MS-MVP]

6. ==> Immediately after installing Windows XP, turn on XP's Firewall.
==> http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/default.mspx

7. After Windows XP is installed, visit the Windows Update website
and download the available "Critical Updates".

8. After installing the critical updates, be sure and visit the support
website
of the manufacturer of the computer to download and install any
available Windows XP compatible drivers, such as video adapter
and audio drivers.

9. If you happen to run into any installation difficulties, use the
following resources:

How to Troubleshoot Windows XP Problems During Installation
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;3100­64

Troubleshooting Windows XP Setup
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_setup.htm

[Courtesy of MS-MVP Kelly Theriot]

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

Get Windows XP Service Pack 2 with Advanced Security Technologies:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsxp/choose.mspx

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

|i recently donwloaded some mp3 files from winmx and i was left with some
| incomplete mp3 files and i can not delete them it keeps telling me they
are
| being used by another user "but the file are empty" it was sugested to
me i
| should format the d drive through fdisk but how to do this is not know
by me
| as i am just starting out on xp pro please help i have cut and copied
the
| files i wish to save to my 40gig c drive that is full now and slowed
| everything down including me it seems please send me details

 

[Guest]

hi rick after taking your advice my pc still tells me that (can not delete
these file as
they are being used by another user or file, all i need is a step by step
instruction how to format my D drive using fdisk "i have the boot disk" hope
you can help"
thanks, charlie.

 

[Og]

Charlie:

There is no "step by step instruction how to format my D drive using
fdisk" -- FDISK.com is a DOS utility used to delete / create partitions on a
hard drive.

FORMAT.com is a DOS utility used to format hard drives as FAT (depending
upon the version you acquire, you can format as FAT 16 or FAT 32).

To format your D drive (assuming your operating system is located on C
drive):
Right-click "My Computer"
(from the drop-down menu) Click "Manage"
Click "Disk Management"
Right-click the drive (D)
(from the drop-down menu) click Format

good luck,

steve

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Charlie,

There is no need whatsoever to use fdisk (which is for partitioning, not
formatting) - that is a Win9x utility that has no place in an XP system. To
format just D:, do as Og has stated - just right-click the drive in Windows
Explorer and choose format. Or, you can start/run cmd and run format D: from
the prompt.

The error message is telling you that some program or process still has a
handle on those files. With multimedia files, this often happens when a
player like Windows Media Player still has them in the playlist, even if the
program is not currently running. Opening the media player and removing them
from the playlist usually resolves the "in use" issue.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Guest]

thank you people i tried all your advice but alas no joy "thanks anyway" if
any of you are in salop you could pop in and see what i mean.

charlie.

 

[Guest]

thank you OG you were right

Charlie:

There is no "step by step instruction how to format my D drive using
fdisk" -- FDISK.com is a DOS utility used to delete / create partitions on a
hard drive.

FORMAT.com is a DOS utility used to format hard drives as FAT (depending
upon the version you acquire, you can format as FAT 16 or FAT 32).

To format your D drive (assuming your operating system is located on C
drive):
Right-click "My Computer"
(from the drop-down menu) Click "Manage"
Click "Disk Management"
Right-click the drive (D)
(from the drop-down menu) click Format

good luck,

steve

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

I never tried to format a drive from Safe Mode, but wouldn't that work?

 

[Harry Ohrn]

It is possible that someone is downloading these files from you via WinMX.
That is a common problem with peer-peer programs. Try closing WinMX and see
if that helps. By the way WinMX keeps running in the background when it is
closed. You have to close it through it's icon in the systray or change it's
shutdown options from within the program.

If you are having trouble deleting files try the freeware MoveOnBoot app
from here http://www.snapfiles.com/get/moveonboot.html

 

[Harry Ohrn]

Yes you can format from Safe Mode however you can not format the active
drive from Safe Mode..

--

Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp

I never tried to format a drive from Safe Mode, but wouldn't that work?

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)

Hi Charlie,

There is no need whatsoever to use fdisk (which is for partitioning, not
formatting) - that is a Win9x utility that has no place in an XP system.
To format just D:, do as Og has stated - just right-click the drive in
Windows Explorer and choose format. Or, you can start/run cmd and run
format D: from the prompt.

The error message is telling you that some program or process still has a
handle on those files. With multimedia files, this often happens when a
player like Windows Media Player still has them in the playlist, even if
the program is not currently running. Opening the media player and
removing them from the playlist usually resolves the "in use" issue.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Colin Barnhorst]

Sure, that's true generally. Thanks, Harry.

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)

Yes you can format from Safe Mode however you can not format the active
drive from Safe Mode..

--

Harry Ohrn MS-MVP [Shell/User]
www.webtree.ca/windowsxp

I never tried to format a drive from Safe Mode, but wouldn't that work?

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)

Hi Charlie,

There is no need whatsoever to use fdisk (which is for partitioning,
not
formatting) - that is a Win9x utility that has no place in an XP
system.
To format just D:, do as Og has stated - just right-click the drive in
Windows Explorer and choose format. Or, you can start/run cmd and run
format D: from the prompt.

The error message is telling you that some program or process still has a
handle on those files. With multimedia files, this often happens when a
player like Windows Media Player still has them in the playlist, even
if
the program is not currently running. Opening the media player and
removing them from the playlist usually resolves the "in use" issue.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

hi rick after taking your advice my pc still tells me that (can not
delete
these file as
they are being used by another user or file, all i need is a step by step
instruction how to format my D drive using fdisk "i have the boot
disk"
hope
you can help"
thanks, charlie.

:

Hi,

First make sure WinMX is closed. If not, look on the transfer page
and
see
if the partial files are listed there. If so, right-click them and
choose
delete file. Otherwise, if it is fully closed (meaning you don't see the
icon in the system tray at all), hit ctrl+shift+escape and go to the
processes tab. Look for winmx.exe and kill it if it is. Then open
Windows
Explorer to the folder that contains the partial files and try to delete
them. If you are not successful, please post back with the exact
error
message.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

i recently donwloaded some mp3 files from winmx and i was left with
some
incomplete mp3 files and i can not delete them it keeps telling me
they
are
being used by another user "but the file are empty" it was sugested to
me
i
should format the d drive through fdisk but how to do this is not know
by
me
as i am just starting out on xp pro please help i have cut and copied
the
files i wish to save to my 40gig c drive that is full now and
slowed
everything down including me it seems please send me details

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Sure it will Colin, but it's still overkill for this problem. It's like
replacing the whole engine just because a spark plug is bad.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

I never tried to format a drive from Safe Mode, but wouldn't that work?

--
Colin Barnhorst [MVP Windows - Virtual Machine]
(Reply to the group only unless otherwise requested)

Hi Charlie,

There is no need whatsoever to use fdisk (which is for partitioning, not
formatting) - that is a Win9x utility that has no place in an XP system.
To format just D:, do as Og has stated - just right-click the drive in
Windows Explorer and choose format. Or, you can start/run cmd and run
format D: from the prompt.

The error message is telling you that some program or process still has a
handle on those files. With multimedia files, this often happens when a
player like Windows Media Player still has them in the playlist, even if
the program is not currently running. Opening the media player and
removing them from the playlist usually resolves the "in use" issue.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org