***Frustrating Formating Problem!***

[Bulgdoom]

Hello. After getting a virus from a ringtone creator program, I decided it was a good time to install Windows 7 Ultimate 64x on my F: Drive (600GB) and format my C: Drive (230GB) which had Windows Vista 64x. First I managed to take control of my old Drive E: (37GB) which I thought was long gone, and formated it sucessfully.

Next I installed Windows 7 on Drive F: and after having backed up my files tried formatting Drive C: (I don't have my Vista install CD). I received an error saying "Windows was unable to format the drive". Next i used the "cmd" program and typed in "format C:", but got a message sayings I have insufficient privalages, and that I have to invoke this utility running in elevated mode. I went to Drive C: properties & security and set full rights and changed the owner to my new Username but still no go. I tried manage my computer & disk storage, didn't help. Could anyone direct me to a solution?

Appreciate any help, and please explain it a little more detailed as I am not that familiar with all the computer functions. Thank you.

[catgate]

Hello. After getting a virus from a ringtone creator program, I decided it was a good time to install Windows 7 Ultimate 64x on my F: Drive (600GB) and format my C: Drive (230GB) which had Windows Vista 64x. First I managed to take control of my old Drive E: (37GB) which I thought was long gone, and formated it sucessfully.

Next I installed Windows 7 on Drive F: and after having backed up my files tried formatting Drive C: (I don't have my Vista install CD). I received an error saying "Windows was unable to format the drive". Next i used the "cmd" program and typed in "format C:", but got a message sayings I have insufficient privalages, and that I have to invoke this utility running in elevated mode. I went to Drive C: properties & security and set full rights and changed the owner to my new Username but still no go. I tried manage my computer & disk storage, didn't help. Could anyone direct me to a solution?

Appreciate any help, and please explain it a little more detailed as I am not that familiar with all the computer functions. Thank you.

You might find Gparted live CD a help:-

/>http://download.cnet.com/GParted-LiveCD/3000-2094_4-10698802.html

On the other hand.....

[Bulgdoom]

You might find Gparted live CD a help:-

/>http://download.cnet.com/GParted-LiveCD/3000-2094_4-10698802.html

On the other hand.....

Should be an easier way, It seems that my problem is that my computer is not recognizing me as the owner and having permission to format C: even though I set my new username...

Windows Vista no longer boots, its missing some files and is pretty much broken. Won't allow me to individually delete some files, control issue again. I have to figure out how

to break the security system and do what I want with the disk. Do you have any idea how I may be able to do that?

[bludgard]

Next i used the "cmd" program and typed in "format C:", but got a message sayings I have insufficient privalages, and that I have to invoke this utility running in elevated mode.

Have you tried cmd with elevated mode "Run as administrator"?

You may also try advanced boot options>Safe mode with command prompt.DISKPART command line should help you out with cleaning and formatting your C: drive.

[Bulgdoom]

Have you tried cmd with elevated mode "Run as administrator"?

You may also try advanced boot options>Safe mode with command prompt.DISKPART command line should help you out with cleaning and formatting your C: drive.

I am already on the account set as administrator on my Windows 7. How do I run as administrator? This doesn't seem to be a command on cmd.

Could you elaborate on that .DISKPART command and how to do that. I just start windows in safe mode and then?

[bludgard]

For an elevated command prompt:Start>type cmd>right-click cmd and choose "Run as administrator".

As to the DISKPART command>boot to Advanced Boot Options>select Safe Boot With Command Prompt>Enter>Type:

DISKPART

LIST DISK

SELECT DISK # ("#" will be replaced with the actual corresponding disk you would like to clean and format)

CLEAN ALL

CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY

SELECT PARTITION 1

ACTIVE

FORMAT

ASSIGN

EXIT

Clean-all and format options take quite some time.Please be patient.A blinking cursor "_" will be displayed while operation is in progress.

WARNING:If you have a solid state HDD,do not use this command line.It will shorten the life of the drive.

Before you use DISKPART,please research this command line utility before implementation.

EDIT:Please copy and paste content-I'm having issues with inserting a working link:--->;http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc766465(WS.10).aspx

And as always,back up any and all data that you wish to keep safe.Everything WILL be erased on selected disk.

[bludgard]

Have you tried cmd with elevated mode "Run as administrator"?

You may also try advanced boot options>Safe mode with command prompt.DISKPART command line should help you out with cleaning and formatting your C: drive.

I am already on the account set as administrator on my Windows 7. How do I run as administrator? This doesn't seem to be a command on cmd.

Could you elaborate on that .DISKPART command and how to do that. I just start windows in safe mode and then?

How are things workin' for you,Bulgdoom?Did everything start smokin'?

It takes me about 3 1/2 hours to clean-all and format 250Gbs.

I will deduce that you have gotten into your OS as an administrator for your posts on this issue has abruptly ceased.

I for one am elated that you have it all sorted.Perhaps you could take the time to tell us all how it was done so as to be an assist to others?;)

Thanks.

[Bulgdoom]

Have you tried cmd with elevated mode "Run as administrator"?

You may also try advanced boot options>Safe mode with command prompt.DISKPART command line should help you out with cleaning and formatting your C: drive.

I am already on the account set as administrator on my Windows 7. How do I run as administrator? This doesn't seem to be a command on cmd.

Could you elaborate on that .DISKPART command and how to do that. I just start windows in safe mode and then?

How are things workin' for you,Bulgdoom?Did everything start smokin'?

It takes me about 3 1/2 hours to clean-all and format 250Gbs.

I will deduce that you have gotten into your OS as an administrator for your posts on this issue has abruptly ceased.

I for one am elated that you have it all sorted.Perhaps you could take the time to tell us all how it was done so as to be an assist to others?;)

Thanks.

Hi, I performed a full disk check, set all rights and tried to format as administrator, but ultimately couldn't. I was busy and got so tired of it that I well gave up haha. I'm just using my one hard drive at the moment and I'l see what to do about this Drive C:. My brother is coming in a few months from Europe who is a computer software and soon hardware expert who will probably help me sort it out if I still haven't gotten to it. I just don't know whats up with this drive... Its very messed up from having multiple windowses and users from way back after having my old comp blow and saving some hard drives and then upgrading once more to Vista from XP, etc.

[Seshomaru Samma]

It has been suggested before but Gparted will probably solve your problem

Easy, free and convenient

[bludgard]

I... tried to format as administrator, but ultimately couldn't.

You don't have to format with administrative rights.

It is done within Advanced Boot Options by pressing F8 at startup.

Thanks for keeping the thread updated.:D

[Bulgdoom]

You don't have to format with administrative rights.

It is done within Advanced Boot Options by pressing F8 at startup.

Thanks for keeping the thread updated.:D

Ok so where do I go once in advanced boot options? I found this link: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Advanced-startup-options-including-safe-mode

that tells you the general options once there and I don't see where a format would be.

I already went into the regular boot menu (delete upon startup) and looked around but found nothing. The only thing I did was change the boot order for my hard drives

so that my newest one starts up first. I don't know if its because of that but my windows got an error after that and wouldn't start. Says that my CPU fan is either defective

or running at low rpm (i have liquid cooled CPU) and to press F1 to continue. So I continue and says Bootmgr missing. I dug around online and burned a repair CD for Win 7 x64 and booted through that, fixed it and now my windows starts. Phewwww! I almost thought my new drive had gone bust, so I gotta do a checkup now just to be sure. C: drive however is still not budging, and I need to format it so I can use it. It seems that once I set security options to allow my username full control, it does it for that folder or C: drive in all, but not for sub-folders so thats why I can't just delete it all or format. Theres no option to apply to sub-folders other than in auditing of advanced security options but that doesn't do anything. So all the small sub-folders have no security privileges for my username and I have to manually go to each one of the thousands to set.

I might even look into setting up a RAID after reading a lil about it. I'l have to see how thats done afterwards. I came across the RAID options in boot menu when I was digging around and I had always seen people talk about them on Newegg HD reviews.

[Bulgdoom]

Hehehe I finally formated C: Drive. At first i used command prompt from my boot CD and used the commands format C: but for some reason it format D drive instead where I had stored some back up info. Well I saved my info again and right clicked Drive C: again and when it asked to format, I unchecked quick format and put the volume name as "Local Disk", and an hour later viola!

Now I have to figure out my boot problem. I restarted my comp and again it wouldnt boot, had to use fix from the CD. I also couldn't figure out how to turn off the CPU fan warning at the start up since I clearly dont use a fan. Its also strange that when my comp starts up, it always begins with the logo of my motherboard.

[bludgard]

As to the DISKPART command>boot to Advanced Boot Options>select Safe Boot With Command Prompt>Enter>Type:

DISKPART

LIST DISK

SELECT DISK # ("#" will be replaced with the actual corresponding disk you would like to clean and format)

CLEAN ALL

CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY

SELECT PARTITION 1

ACTIVE

FORMAT

ASSIGN

EXIT

Press F8 at startup to access Advanced Boot Options.

[bludgard]

My bad.

I just had to use that command and for some reason didn't have the F8 options anymore.Had to use a repair disk to access the command.Administrator X or some such thing.Sounded cool.B)

Can use an install disk as well.

Afterwards I imaged the HDD from a backup and everything is copastetic.

Regards.

[MicrosoftMadeAoE]

I got this message to on my old laptop, it was a disc I/O error, but that's me :P, you could try and format it from another OS, (since your installing to F:)