setup cannot format the drive

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dan C
  • Start date Start date
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Dan C

Hello,
My computer would not boot win xp. Reinstalled Xp, error said: "setup was
unable to format the partition" The disk may be damaged. So, I put in an
existing working HD, not luck ...Same thing.
Changed the IDE Cable. Same thing.

Anyone have any help to offer??

Thanks,
Dan
 
Dan C said:
Hello,
My computer would not boot win xp. Reinstalled Xp, error said: "setup was
unable to format the partition" The disk may be damaged. So, I put in an
existing working HD, not luck ...Same thing.
Changed the IDE Cable. Same thing.

Anyone have any help to offer??
Click to expand...
The system can't "see" the hard drive. Check your BIOS settings. Is the
drive recognized? Is the volume information correct?
When you try to boot up ("My computer would not boot win xp") what message
do you get, exactly?
This can also happen if the power to the Molex connector is off (failing
power supply, damaged connector). Did you try plugging in a different Molex
connector?
 
Dan C said:
Hello,
My computer would not boot win xp. Reinstalled Xp, error said: "setup was
unable to format the partition" The disk may be damaged. So, I put in an
existing working HD, not luck ...Same thing.
Changed the IDE Cable. Same thing.

Anyone have any help to offer??
Click to expand...

Make sure you are actually booting from the CD, and not booting from the HD and
running the XP install from the CD.

Use the option to delete the partition, then repartition and reformat before
installing.

If that doesn't work, you may have other problems (motherboard, power
supply...).
 
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