dos wont let me format C:

[Guest rickie]

I need to reload windows xp home, got many problems, even dos wont let me

format C.

promt says.... format cannot run because volume is in use by another

process. format may run if this volume is dismounted first.

ALL OPENED HANDLES TO THIS VOLUME WOULD THEN BE INVALID. would you like to

force a dismount on this volume? (Y/N)

can someone tell me what that means and what i can do?

thanks..........rickie

[Guest Richard in AZ]

Re: dos wont let me format C:

 

 

"rickie" <rickie@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:C5D8BA83-8DC3-4505-ADA2-1D0686ECCE6F@microsoft.com...

>I need to reload windows xp home, got many problems, even dos wont let me

> format C.

> promt says.... format cannot run because volume is in use by another

> process. format may run if this volume is dismounted first.

> ALL OPENED HANDLES TO THIS VOLUME WOULD THEN BE INVALID. would you like to

> force a dismount on this volume? (Y/N)

> can someone tell me what that means and what i can do?

> thanks..........rickie

 

Unless you are using a boot disk, you are not running DOS.

Are you trying to do the format from the "CMD" prompt? That is not DOS even

though it looks like it is.

 

You can format the drive right from the Windows XP installation disk.

[Guest VanguardLH]

Re: dos wont let me format C:

 

rickie wrote:

> I need to reload windows xp home, got many problems, even dos wont let me

> format C.

> promt says.... format cannot run because volume is in use by another

> process. format may run if this volume is dismounted first.

> ALL OPENED HANDLES TO THIS VOLUME WOULD THEN BE INVALID. would you like to

> force a dismount on this volume? (Y/N)

> can someone tell me what that means and what i can do?

> thanks..........rickie

 

It means the operating system is on C:. How can you format the

partition from which the operating system is running that loads the

format program? Just boot using the OS install CD and select the option

to format the partition.

[Guest JS]

Re: dos wont let me format C:

 

How to do a Clean Install of Windows XP

 

Start by changing the BIOS setting to Boot from CD drive first.

Then see below:

 

From Michael Steven's: http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

more info: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/XPClean.htm

and: http://www.theeldergeek.com/clean_installation_of_windows_xp.htm

also: http://www.bootdisk.com/

 

Also make sure you have the drivers you need for your motherboard, video

card, sound card, Etc.

Try Belarc Advisor: http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

It does a good job of providing a wealth of information including software

Key codes

and Devices you will need Drivers for.

 

If you are doing a Clean Install on an existing PC that has XP already

Installed:

Verify your CD Key code matches what Belarc Advisor reports for your

existing install.

Note: OEM Windows Installs usually come with a sticker on the PC or laptop

and may not match the factory installed key.

 

Note:A number of vendors now supply restore CD(s) or have a restore

partition on the hard drive

and usually do not supply a Windows XP CD.

 

JS

 

 

"rickie" <rickie@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:C5D8BA83-8DC3-4505-ADA2-1D0686ECCE6F@microsoft.com...

>I need to reload windows xp home, got many problems, even dos wont let me

> format C.

> promt says.... format cannot run because volume is in use by another

> process. format may run if this volume is dismounted first.

> ALL OPENED HANDLES TO THIS VOLUME WOULD THEN BE INVALID. would you like to

> force a dismount on this volume? (Y/N)

> can someone tell me what that means and what i can do?

> thanks..........rickie

[Guest db.·.. >]

Re: dos wont let me format C:

 

instead of reinstalling

windows you might

be able to repair it

with your windows

cd:

 

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx

 

keep in mind that

the issues you are

experiencing may

also be a result of

faulty hardware.

 

so even if you repaired

or reinstalled windows,

the faulty hardware

will not allow a successful

installation.

 

perhaps you want to

share some details about

the problem.

 

however, reinstalling

windows is also a simple

option to take, if you

choose.

 

 

--

 

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>

 

 

"rickie" <rickie@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:C5D8BA83-8DC3-4505-ADA2-1D0686ECCE6F@microsoft.com...

>I need to reload windows xp home, got many problems, even dos wont let me

> format C.

> promt says.... format cannot run because volume is in use by another

> process. format may run if this volume is dismounted first.

> ALL OPENED HANDLES TO THIS VOLUME WOULD THEN BE INVALID. would you like to

> force a dismount on this volume? (Y/N)

> can someone tell me what that means and what i can do?

> thanks..........rickie

[Guest rickie]

Re: dos wont let me format C:

 

you are right richard...it is the command promt. but what does all that mean

about volume?

and...... there is an updated version of windows on my computer than is on

my origional disk, and the option to continue (on the windows setup screen)

is not hilighted to be able to click on it.

 

"Richard in AZ" wrote:

>

> "rickie" <rickie@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:C5D8BA83-8DC3-4505-ADA2-1D0686ECCE6F@microsoft.com...

> >I need to reload windows xp home, got many problems, even dos wont let me

> > format C.

> > promt says.... format cannot run because volume is in use by another

> > process. format may run if this volume is dismounted first.

> > ALL OPENED HANDLES TO THIS VOLUME WOULD THEN BE INVALID. would you like to

> > force a dismount on this volume? (Y/N)

> > can someone tell me what that means and what i can do?

> > thanks..........rickie

>

> Unless you are using a boot disk, you are not running DOS.

> Are you trying to do the format from the "CMD" prompt? That is not DOS even

> though it looks like it is.

>

> You can format the drive right from the Windows XP installation disk.

>

>

>

[Guest rickie]

Re: dos wont let me format C:

 

thank you much....rickie

 

"VanguardLH" wrote:

> rickie wrote:

>

> > I need to reload windows xp home, got many problems, even dos wont let me

> > format C.

> > promt says.... format cannot run because volume is in use by another

> > process. format may run if this volume is dismounted first.

> > ALL OPENED HANDLES TO THIS VOLUME WOULD THEN BE INVALID. would you like to

> > force a dismount on this volume? (Y/N)

> > can someone tell me what that means and what i can do?

> > thanks..........rickie

>

> It means the operating system is on C:. How can you format the

> partition from which the operating system is running that loads the

> format program? Just boot using the OS install CD and select the option

> to format the partition.

>

[Guest Bruce Chambers]

Re: dos wont let me format C:

 

rickie wrote:

> I need to reload windows xp home, got many problems, even dos wont let me

> format C.

 

 

There is no DOS in WinXP. Are you referring to the Command Prompt?

 

> promt says.... format cannot run because volume is in use by another

> process. format may run if this volume is dismounted first.

> ALL OPENED HANDLES TO THIS VOLUME WOULD THEN BE INVALID. would you like to

> force a dismount on this volume? (Y/N)

> can someone tell me what that means and what i can do?

> thanks..........rickie

 

 

I suspect that you're trying to format the drive containing the

system volume from within WinXP. You can't. This would be the computer

equivalent of sawing off the tree limb you're sitting on, and WinXP is

"too smart" to allow this.

 

After backing up any data you wish to transfer to the new OS

installation,, simply boot from the WinXP Home installation CD. You'll

be offered the opportunity to delete, create, and format partitions as

part of the installation process. (You may need to re-arrange the order

of boot devices in the PC's BIOS to boot from the CD.)

 

HOW TO Install Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;en-us;316941

 

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

 

http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/clean_install.htm

 

Then the backed up data can be restored and applications re-installed.

 

 

--

 

Bruce Chambers

 

Help us help you:

http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

 

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/555375

 

They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary

safety deserve neither liberty nor safety. ~Benjamin Franklin

 

Many people would rather die than think; in fact, most do. ~Bertrand Russell

 

The philosopher has never killed any priests, whereas the priest has

killed a great many philosophers.

~ Denis Diderot