Format Error message.

Question

Hi, I have a dell dimension 2400 and recently added a second hd to it from an old pc. There's a load of stuff on it from when it was in the old pc and I wanted to format it. When I right click on the new hd in my computer and click format it tells me 'Windows cannot format this drive. Quit any disk utilities or other programms using this drive, and make sure that no windows are open displaying the contents of the drive. Then try formatting again.' As far as I can tell there's no programm using the drive. Am I doing this wrong? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. Message Edited by darth obius on 11-13-2005 11:36 AM

shesagordie · Answer

darth obius

The second hard drive is installed on the middle cable connector, the jumpers st to "Cable Select" and the drive is enabled [on] in the setup

Then In order for windows XP to recognize the second hard drive, it must be partitioned and formatted. These are generic instructions for installing an additional hard drive using Windows XP Disk Management, they are by Seagate, but apply to all brands.

http://www.seagate.com/support/kb/disc/howto/install_xp_disk_mgmt.html

Bev.

arthr · Answer

Once you enter a drive with windows on it windows will not execute any command that will do harm to it's self.

Storage, Drives & Media

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