Problem formatting hard drive Dimension 2400

Question

I created a boot disk and followed instructions provided by Dell to quick format my hard drive, but when I tried to format, got the following error message: "Cannot format a network drive".

I then took some advice and tried to run fdisk. However, when I reach the point in the process to "Create Primary DOS Partition", I get this error message: "No space to create a DOS partition."

Anyone know what I should try now?

Note: All I am trying to do is format the hard drive and reinstall windows xp.

simpswr · Answer

With XP, you format as a part of the installation . . Prior to installing, enter BIOS ( Setup ) and make sure the CD/ROM the first boot device. Put your XP Disc in the drive and disconnect all external peripherals except the keyboard and mouse, and be sure those are not USB, or wireless.

Once you set your BIOS to boot first from cd . . when it restarts you will see a black screen with a prompt "Press any key to boot from cd" . . do that and you will be able to delete partitions and recreate the ones you want and proceed to formating and installing XP

That message can pass quickly, so have a finger on the keyboard when you boot. This will delete all data on the drive so be sure you have your important data backed up.

You can get a reinstallation guide specific to your Dell here
http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/software_reinstall/en/index?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&~ck=mn

This is a good guide for reinstalling on a Dell: http://www.djdenham.com/Install%20Procedures.htm

You will have to reload drivers and applications, After the installation, you will need to download and install the MicroSoft Critical Updates. Alternately, this would be a good time to install SP-2, while windows is clean. Prior to connecting to the internet be sure you enable the XP firewall.

Good luck and have fun . . wrs

den77546 · Answer

Thanks for response.  Both keyboard and mouse are USB, however.  Now what?

simpswr · Answer

USB keyboard/mouse can interfere with installing XP . . if you can't borrow a PS/2 set, you can buy a cheep set for the install. wrs

den77546 · Answer

Found non usb mouse and keyboard, but after progressing a while, the install failed with the following message on a blue screen:

STOP: c0000221/unknown hard error/systemRoot/system32/ntdll.dll

Any thoughts?

simpswr · Answer

Did you start the installation fresh by deleteing and recreating partitions? . . This is the M/S KB article for that error . . http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;314474

den77546 · Answer

Did some quick checking on the ntdll.dll file. Seems it can be downloaded. If my current file is corrupted, perhaps a new one will do the trick. Not sure I will figure out how to put it in the correct location at download, but does this basic approach make any sense?

thanks

den77546 · Answer

Not sure I understand your response, but I will check the link. Maybe I should have been more specific. When I booted up, the word WINDOWS appeared on a blue screen in the upper left hand corner. Then, along the bottom, there was contiinuous and changing messages about files being loaded. Then it failed. I never actually got to any sort of set up screen or had a chance to input and data or hit any keystrokes.

Appreciate your patience. Obviously, I am a novice.

simpswr · Answer

It sounds like you did not actually boot to the XP CD . . to do that, when it restarts you will see a black screen with a prompt "Press any key to boot from cd" . . do that and you will be able to delete partitions and recreate the ones you want and proceed to formating and installing XP.

That message can pass quickly, so have a finger on the keyboard when you boot. This will delete all data on the drive so be sure you have your important data backed up.

Hope this helps . . wrs

Message Edited by simpswr on 09-26-2004 12:43 PM

Storage, Drives & Media

Problem formatting hard drive Dimension 2400

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