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785
July 13th, 2005 21:00
Cannot format E: partition after failed (second) XP installation
In the bad old days when I had major problems with my computer (solved now), I tried to install a second copy of XP on an unused partition of my hard drive, because I was not able to access the HDD through the existing XP on the C: partition and needed to backup some files..
This installation failed half way, and after replacement of the processor, I didn't need it anymore anyway, because the "original" XP (reinstalled 30 times or more) 0on the C: drive does it again.
Now I wanted to format the E: partition with the failed install, but Windows wouldn't let me. I get an error message telling me "Windows cannot format this drive. Quit any disk utilities or other programs that are using this drive, and make sure that no window displays the contents of this drive. Then try formatting again."
I have manually deleted all files, but there are still (hidden) 2 folders: System Volume Information and Recycler.
When running Norton Anti Virus, I have 3 boot records, one of which I'm sure is on this E: partition
What should I do to get this partition formatted?
Not that it takes too much space, but it just worries me that I cannot get rid of files I don't need.
Thanks for any suggestion.
Lemmi
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dunedin
2.7K Posts
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July 13th, 2005 22:00
I do not know which programs you have doing this but your antivirus and system restore will be monitoring.
If the E drive is being monitored, highlight it and click "settings"
Then check the box "Turn off system restore for this drive"
OK/Apply
Lemmi
238 Posts
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July 14th, 2005 20:00
Hi dunedin,
Many thanks for your reply.
It did not work immediately, although I even disabled MS Antispyware (I wasn't able to identify any other programs possibly monitoring the E:drive). But it did point me into the right direction.
I left System Restore on E: turned off and restarted into Safe Mode. Then I had no problems to format the E: drive.
Kind regards,
Lemmi
dunedin
2.7K Posts
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July 14th, 2005 21:00
Lemmi
238 Posts
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July 14th, 2005 22:00
Absolutely!
And I hate people not posting back on the results of any suggestions offered.
I hate searching this forum or Google to find people posting the problems I have myself (currently very few, fingers crossed....), and then to get to dead ends, being forced to try anything suggested myself... Urrrrgh!