HDD won't format

  • Thread starter Thread starter MikeM
  • Start date Start date
M

MikeM

I installed a new WD HDD and the WD software set it up and copied the
C: drive to it successfully. Now Windows won't let me format the
original WD C: drive. I will be getting an external caddy for it but
in the meantime how do I format it?

Thanks
Mike
 
I installed a new WD HDD and the WD software set it up and copied the
C: drive to it successfully. Now Windows won't let me format the
original WD C: drive. I will be getting an external caddy for it but
in the meantime how do I format it?

Thanks
Mike
Click to expand...

Go to My Computer & right-click on drive to be format-ed & then click
on "format".
 
I installed a new WD HDD and the WD software set it up and copied the
C: drive to it successfully. Now Windows won't let me format the
original WD C: drive. I will be getting an external caddy for it but
in the meantime how do I format it?

Thanks
Mike
Click to expand...

Which dirve, new or original, is Windows using to boot?
 
MikeM said:
I installed a new WD HDD and the WD software set it up and copied the
C: drive to it successfully. Now Windows won't let me format the
original WD C: drive. I will be getting an external caddy for it but
in the meantime how do I format it?

Thanks
Mike
Click to expand...

It sounds like you're trying to format a drive which is in use. Are you
still booting to the original drive?
 
I tried right clicking on my computer. It is booting off the new
drive, I have deleted most files from the original C: drive and now it
is out of the computer. While it was a slave drive after I booted
from the new drve there were only a few files the I was denied access
to. If they are the reason windows won't allow the format I don't know
how to delete them. I tried changing the read only but it still
wouldn't delete them. Is it likely the format will be allowed when I
put it in the external caddy?

Mike
 
I tried right clicking on my computer. It is booting off the new
drive, I have deleted most files from the original C: drive and now it
is out of the computer. While it was  a slave drive after I booted
from the new drve there were only a few files the I was denied access
to. If they are the reason windows won't allow the format I don't know
how to delete them. I tried changing the read only but it still
wouldn't delete them. Is it likely the format will be allowed when I
put it in the external caddy?

Mike




- Show quoted text -
Click to expand...

Boot from a floppy and see if format will allow wiping the original
drive. But make sure that DOS supports the size of your hard drive
before formatting.

Herbert
 
First try booting with the old HD disconnected from the system, to ensure
Windoze hasn't linked to any required system files on it. If it doesn't boot
correctly, you may have to repair it with the Win CD.

Then reconnect the old HD, delete the partition on it, then repartition and
reformat it.
 
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