fdisk partitions

[Guest Paola]

I'm trying to reformat my HD and I can't not get rid of the Extended dos

partition. I have a Primary dos and an extended dos. I can delete the primary

but not the extended and when I try to do a setup in the primary I get an

error "setup can not create files on your startup drive" then it says "If

you have HPFS ormNTFS, you most create a MS-DOS boot partition" which I can't

since is already two I assueme cause I try to do it but I can't. When I try

to delete the extended dos partition I get and error saying "Cannot delete

Extended dod partition while logical drives exist" the if I try num3 delete

logical drive I get an error saying "no logical drive defined"

and if I try to create a logical drive I get "All available space in the

extended dos partition is assigned to logical drives" "no logical drives

defined"

What can I do? can not start my pc . Please Help me! thanks

--

Pao Pao

[Guest Malke]

Re: fdisk partitions

 

Paola wrote:

> I'm trying to reformat my HD and I can't not get rid of the Extended dos

> partition. I have a Primary dos and an extended dos. I can delete the primary

> but not the extended and when I try to do a setup in the primary I get an

> error "setup can not create files on your startup drive" then it says "If

> you have HPFS ormNTFS, you most create a MS-DOS boot partition" which I can't

> since is already two I assueme cause I try to do it but I can't. When I try

> to delete the extended dos partition I get and error saying "Cannot delete

> Extended dod partition while logical drives exist" the if I try num3 delete

> logical drive I get an error saying "no logical drive defined"

> and if I try to create a logical drive I get "All available space in the

> extended dos partition is assigned to logical drives" "no logical drives

> defined"

> What can I do? can not start my pc . Please Help me! thanks

 

You don't want to use fdisk to work with partitions on an XP system. I

assume that what you are trying to do is reinstall Windows. Just boot

with the XP install cd and follow directions here:

 

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html - Clean Install How-To

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Reinstalling_Windows -

What you will need on-hand

 

You will be able to delete/create partitions during the installation

process.

 

 

Malke

--

Elephant Boy Computers

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com

"Don't Panic!"

MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

[Guest Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Re: fdisk partitions

 

 

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

news:AA652E71-71E9-4FFD-A486-664DB1AEBD21@microsoft.com...

> I'm trying to reformat my HD and I can't not get rid of the Extended dos

> partition. I have a Primary dos and an extended dos. I can delete the

> primary

> but not the extended and when I try to do a setup in the primary I get an

> error "setup can not create files on your startup drive" then it says "If

> you have HPFS ormNTFS, you most create a MS-DOS boot partition" which I

> can't

> since is already two I assueme cause I try to do it but I can't. When I

> try

> to delete the extended dos partition I get and error saying "Cannot delete

> Extended dod partition while logical drives exist" the if I try num3

> delete

> logical drive I get an error saying "no logical drive defined"

> and if I try to create a logical drive I get "All available space in the

> extended dos partition is assigned to logical drives" "no logical drives

> defined"

> What can I do? can not start my pc . Please Help me! thanks

> --

> Pao Pao

 

It is a well-known limitation of fdisk.exe that it cannot remove

NTFS drives in the extended partition. This is because you are

trying to use DOS tools for a disk partitioned under Windows.

Stop using DOS boot disks and follow Malke's recommendation

instead.

[Guest Brian A.]

Re: fdisk partitions

 

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

news:AA652E71-71E9-4FFD-A486-664DB1AEBD21@microsoft.com...

> I'm trying to reformat my HD and I can't not get rid of the Extended dos

> partition. I have a Primary dos and an extended dos. I can delete the primary

> but not the extended and when I try to do a setup in the primary I get an

> error "setup can not create files on your startup drive" then it says "If

> you have HPFS ormNTFS, you most create a MS-DOS boot partition" which I can't

> since is already two I assueme cause I try to do it but I can't. When I try

> to delete the extended dos partition I get and error saying "Cannot delete

> Extended dod partition while logical drives exist" the if I try num3 delete

> logical drive I get an error saying "no logical drive defined"

> and if I try to create a logical drive I get "All available space in the

> extended dos partition is assigned to logical drives" "no logical drives

> defined"

> What can I do? can not start my pc . Please Help me! thanks

> --

> Pao Pao

 

Logical partitions must be removed before the Extended partition can be removed

before the Primary partition can be removed if on the same disk.

 

--

 

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }

Conflicts start where information lacks.

http://basconotw.mvps.org/

 

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

[Guest Paola]

Re: fdisk partitions

 

My problem with my cd is that it not work in dos. first it does not boot up,

second if I run it with the setup command it say that it not work on dos what

should i do?

--

Pao Pao

 

 

"Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:

>

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

> news:AA652E71-71E9-4FFD-A486-664DB1AEBD21@microsoft.com...

> > I'm trying to reformat my HD and I can't not get rid of the Extended dos

> > partition. I have a Primary dos and an extended dos. I can delete the

> > primary

> > but not the extended and when I try to do a setup in the primary I get an

> > error "setup can not create files on your startup drive" then it says "If

> > you have HPFS ormNTFS, you most create a MS-DOS boot partition" which I

> > can't

> > since is already two I assueme cause I try to do it but I can't. When I

> > try

> > to delete the extended dos partition I get and error saying "Cannot delete

> > Extended dod partition while logical drives exist" the if I try num3

> > delete

> > logical drive I get an error saying "no logical drive defined"

> > and if I try to create a logical drive I get "All available space in the

> > extended dos partition is assigned to logical drives" "no logical drives

> > defined"

> > What can I do? can not start my pc . Please Help me! thanks

> > --

> > Pao Pao

>

> It is a well-known limitation of fdisk.exe that it cannot remove

> NTFS drives in the extended partition. This is because you are

> trying to use DOS tools for a disk partitioned under Windows.

> Stop using DOS boot disks and follow Malke's recommendation

> instead.

>

>

>

[Guest Paola]

RE: fdisk partitions

 

Ok the xp was initially installed from a 98SE but i make a quick ntfs so make

a small drive when I try to install the sp2 it was not enough room so I try

to reinstall the xp to the full ntfs but I get stuck with this, cause I

delete the primary partition first so the 98 get lost computer not start I

know I messed up...

--

Pao Pao

 

 

"Paola" wrote:

> I'm trying to reformat my HD and I can't not get rid of the Extended dos

> partition. I have a Primary dos and an extended dos. I can delete the primary

> but not the extended and when I try to do a setup in the primary I get an

> error "setup can not create files on your startup drive" then it says "If

> you have HPFS ormNTFS, you most create a MS-DOS boot partition" which I can't

> since is already two I assueme cause I try to do it but I can't. When I try

> to delete the extended dos partition I get and error saying "Cannot delete

> Extended dod partition while logical drives exist" the if I try num3 delete

> logical drive I get an error saying "no logical drive defined"

> and if I try to create a logical drive I get "All available space in the

> extended dos partition is assigned to logical drives" "no logical drives

> defined"

> What can I do? can not start my pc . Please Help me! thanks

> --

> Pao Pao

[Guest Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Re: fdisk partitions

 

>

> Logical partitions must be removed before the Extended partition can be

> removed before the Primary partition can be removed if on the same disk.

>

> --

>

> Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }

> Conflicts start where information lacks.

> http://basconotw.mvps.org/

 

The OP's problem is not the order in which he tried to remove

partitions but the tool he used. Fdisk.exe (a DOS tool) cannot

remove NTFS drives located inside the extended partition.

[Guest Joe At Work]

Re: fdisk partitions

 

Check here:

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

 

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

news:F8C68BB5-6371-44E7-8DE6-BD3DB14AF9B1@microsoft.com...

> Ok the xp was initially installed from a 98SE but i make a quick ntfs so

> make

> a small drive when I try to install the sp2 it was not enough room so I

> try

> to reinstall the xp to the full ntfs but I get stuck with this, cause I

> delete the primary partition first so the 98 get lost computer not start I

> know I messed up...

[Guest Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Re: fdisk partitions

 

Your reply is unclear. Can you or can you not boot the machine

with your WinXP CD?

 

Is this an original WinXP CD or is it a copy?

 

 

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

news:E231BD57-5CBD-44CA-A797-E3A52003CB71@microsoft.com...

> My problem with my cd is that it not work in dos. first it does not boot

> up,

> second if I run it with the setup command it say that it not work on dos

> what

> should i do?

> --

> Pao Pao

>

>

> "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:

>

>>

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

>> news:AA652E71-71E9-4FFD-A486-664DB1AEBD21@microsoft.com...

>> > I'm trying to reformat my HD and I can't not get rid of the Extended

>> > dos

>> > partition. I have a Primary dos and an extended dos. I can delete the

>> > primary

>> > but not the extended and when I try to do a setup in the primary I get

>> > an

>> > error "setup can not create files on your startup drive" then it says

>> > "If

>> > you have HPFS ormNTFS, you most create a MS-DOS boot partition" which I

>> > can't

>> > since is already two I assueme cause I try to do it but I can't. When I

>> > try

>> > to delete the extended dos partition I get and error saying "Cannot

>> > delete

>> > Extended dod partition while logical drives exist" the if I try num3

>> > delete

>> > logical drive I get an error saying "no logical drive defined"

>> > and if I try to create a logical drive I get "All available space in

>> > the

>> > extended dos partition is assigned to logical drives" "no logical

>> > drives

>> > defined"

>> > What can I do? can not start my pc . Please Help me! thanks

>> > --

>> > Pao Pao

>>

>> It is a well-known limitation of fdisk.exe that it cannot remove

>> NTFS drives in the extended partition. This is because you are

>> trying to use DOS tools for a disk partitioned under Windows.

>> Stop using DOS boot disks and follow Malke's recommendation

>> instead.

>>

>>

>>

[Guest John John]

Re: fdisk partitions

 

Sorry, but I have to ask, why on earth put a user who is clearly a

novice through the complications of building a PE disk at this stage?

And secondly, what will the PE disk do that can't be done using much

easier to use tools or methods?

 

John

 

Joe At Work wrote:

> Check here:

> http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

>

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

> news:F8C68BB5-6371-44E7-8DE6-BD3DB14AF9B1@microsoft.com...

>

>>Ok the xp was initially installed from a 98SE but i make a quick ntfs so

>>make

>>a small drive when I try to install the sp2 it was not enough room so I

>>try

>>to reinstall the xp to the full ntfs but I get stuck with this, cause I

>>delete the primary partition first so the 98 get lost computer not start I

>>know I messed up...

>

>

>

[Guest Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Re: fdisk partitions

 

 

"John John" <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message

news:%239WiG0JwHHA.3684@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> Sorry, but I have to ask, why on earth put a user who is clearly a novice

> through the complications of building a PE disk at this stage? And

> secondly, what will the PE disk do that can't be done using much easier to

> use tools or methods?

>

> John

>

 

Indeed. It takes several hours to build a PE boot CD. If the

OP for some reason cannot delete his partitions while

installing WinXP then delpart.exe (http://www.russelltexas.com/delpart.htm)

will do it for him in no time at all under DOS.

[Guest Paola]

Re: fdisk partitions

 

thank you guys for the suggestions which I learn some things I did not knew.

I trying to fix my mess the novice way, I set and format the primary

partition and I install windows 98 in that I run the xp setup and I delete

the ntfs partition and I install windows in the primary partition and I did

not set that to NTFS I leave it as FAT32 I hope I do not have any more

problems :) thanks for everything guys you are nice :) bye

--

Pao Pao

 

 

"John John" wrote:

> Sorry, but I have to ask, why on earth put a user who is clearly a

> novice through the complications of building a PE disk at this stage?

> And secondly, what will the PE disk do that can't be done using much

> easier to use tools or methods?

>

> John

>

> Joe At Work wrote:

>

> > Check here:

> > http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

> >

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

> > news:F8C68BB5-6371-44E7-8DE6-BD3DB14AF9B1@microsoft.com...

> >

> >>Ok the xp was initially installed from a 98SE but i make a quick ntfs so

> >>make

> >>a small drive when I try to install the sp2 it was not enough room so I

> >>try

> >>to reinstall the xp to the full ntfs but I get stuck with this, cause I

> >>delete the primary partition first so the 98 get lost computer not start I

> >>know I messed up...

> >

> >

> >

>

[Guest Lil' Dave]

Re: fdisk partitions

 

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

news:AA652E71-71E9-4FFD-A486-664DB1AEBD21@microsoft.com...

> I'm trying to reformat my HD and I can't not get rid of the Extended dos

> partition. I have a Primary dos and an extended dos. I can delete the

> primary

> but not the extended and when I try to do a setup in the primary I get an

> error "setup can not create files on your startup drive" then it says "If

> you have HPFS ormNTFS, you most create a MS-DOS boot partition" which I

> can't

> since is already two I assueme cause I try to do it but I can't. When I

> try

> to delete the extended dos partition I get and error saying "Cannot delete

> Extended dod partition while logical drives exist" the if I try num3

> delete

> logical drive I get an error saying "no logical drive defined"

> and if I try to create a logical drive I get "All available space in the

> extended dos partition is assigned to logical drives" "no logical drives

> defined"

> What can I do? can not start my pc . Please Help me! thanks

> --

> Pao Pao

 

Deleting an NTFS logical drive with fdisk is not possible. Deleting an

extended partition with an NTFS logical drive on it is not possible with

fdisk. Deleting an NTFS primary partition with fdisk is possible. These

are old questions from windows NT times.

 

There are many solutions, fdisk is not one of them.

Dave

[Guest Patti MacLeod]

Re: fdisk partitions

 

Hi Paola,

 

Prior to attempting to boot from the XP install CD, did you ensure that the

CDROM was set as first boot device in your computer's BIOS? If so and you

still cannot boot from the CDROM for some unknown reason, you still have a

couple of choices to run XP setup by first booting from floppy(ies):

 

1) Download the file to create the XP Setup Disks (ensure that you select

the file appropriate to the install CD that you have.....Home or Pro,

integrated Service Pack or original release). Once the file is downloaded,

have six formatted floppies ready to create the set of setup disks.

How to obtain Windows XP Setup boot disks

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310994

 

2) Add the file called Smartdrv.exe to your WIN98 startup floppy

disk.....this file is contained on the WIN98 install CD within, if I remember

correctly, the tools\oldmsdos directory

When you've booted from the floppy disk and are at the A: prompt, put your

XP install CD in the drive and then key in smartdrv.exe and hit ENTER

When smartdrv has loaded and you're back at the A: prompt, change to the

drive letter for the CD drive. Navigate to the i386 folder on the XP install

CD and then key in WINNT and hit ENTER. Follow any further prompts.

 

During the XP Setup routine, you can delete the existing partitions and

create new ones.

 

Just for future reference, to delete an NTFS formatted logical drive using a

WIN98 startup floppy disk, you could add delpart.exe to the startup floppy

disk

http://www.juliatexas.com/delpart/delpart.htm

After booting from the floppy disk and at the A: prompt, key in delpart.exe

and hit ENTER

Use the Delpart utility to delete the partition.

 

 

 

Regards,

 

--

Patti MacLeod

Microsoft MVP - Windows Shell/User

 

 

"Paola" wrote:

> My problem with my cd is that it not work in dos. first it does not boot up,

> second if I run it with the setup command it say that it not work on dos what

> should i do?

> --

> Pao Pao

>

>

> "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:

>

> >

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

> > news:AA652E71-71E9-4FFD-A486-664DB1AEBD21@microsoft.com...

> > > I'm trying to reformat my HD and I can't not get rid of the Extended dos

> > > partition. I have a Primary dos and an extended dos. I can delete the

> > > primary

> > > but not the extended and when I try to do a setup in the primary I get an

> > > error "setup can not create files on your startup drive" then it says "If

> > > you have HPFS ormNTFS, you most create a MS-DOS boot partition" which I

> > > can't

> > > since is already two I assueme cause I try to do it but I can't. When I

> > > try

> > > to delete the extended dos partition I get and error saying "Cannot delete

> > > Extended dod partition while logical drives exist" the if I try num3

> > > delete

> > > logical drive I get an error saying "no logical drive defined"

> > > and if I try to create a logical drive I get "All available space in the

> > > extended dos partition is assigned to logical drives" "no logical drives

> > > defined"

> > > What can I do? can not start my pc . Please Help me! thanks

> > > --

> > > Pao Pao

> >

> > It is a well-known limitation of fdisk.exe that it cannot remove

> > NTFS drives in the extended partition. This is because you are

> > trying to use DOS tools for a disk partitioned under Windows.

> > Stop using DOS boot disks and follow Malke's recommendation

> > instead.

> >

> >

> >

[Guest Brian A.]

Re: fdisk partitions

 

"Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com> wrote in message

news:u0aggvJwHHA.4592@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

> >

>> Logical partitions must be removed before the Extended partition can be removed

>> before the Primary partition can be removed if on the same disk.

>>

>> --

>>

>> Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }

>> Conflicts start where information lacks.

>> http://basconotw.mvps.org/

>

> The OP's problem is not the order in which he tried to remove

> partitions but the tool he used. Fdisk.exe (a DOS tool) cannot

> remove NTFS drives located inside the extended partition.

>

 

It would be if it were to be FAT, but then the OP shouldn't be able to remove the

Primary if the Extended is still present. I won't dispute that the Extended was in

all probability NTFS due to the circumstances. The OP in another response mentioned

what appears to be XP was installed as an upgrade to 98SE, yet not everything is

clear and there's no mention of any re/format during the upgrade.

 

 

--

 

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }

Conflicts start where information lacks.

http://basconotw.mvps.org/

 

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

[Guest Frank\(FL\)]

Re: fdisk partitions

 

Paola wrote:

> I'm trying to reformat my HD and I can't not get rid of the Extended

> dos partition. I have a Primary dos and an extended dos. I can delete

> the primary but not the extended and when I try to do a setup in the

> primary I get an error "setup can not create files on your startup

> drive" then it says "If you have HPFS ormNTFS, you most create a

> MS-DOS boot partition" which I can't since is already two I assueme

> cause I try to do it but I can't. When I try to delete the extended

> dos partition I get and error saying "Cannot delete Extended dod

> partition while logical drives exist" the if I try num3 delete

> logical drive I get an error saying "no logical drive defined"

> and if I try to create a logical drive I get "All available space in

> the extended dos partition is assigned to logical drives" "no logical

> drives defined"

> What can I do? can not start my pc . Please Help me! thanks

 

There are a dozen posts in this thread, do this, do that, one can't

do something else. Just go to the HDD manufacturer and download

their diognostic tool and then write zeros to the disk. Then proceed

as one wishes.

[Guest Lil' Dave]

Re: fdisk partitions

 

"Frank(FL)" <bbunny@bqik.net> wrote in message

news:OR$IhLSwHHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

> Paola wrote:

>> I'm trying to reformat my HD and I can't not get rid of the Extended

>> dos partition. I have a Primary dos and an extended dos. I can delete

>> the primary but not the extended and when I try to do a setup in the

>> primary I get an error "setup can not create files on your startup

>> drive" then it says "If you have HPFS ormNTFS, you most create a

>> MS-DOS boot partition" which I can't since is already two I assueme

>> cause I try to do it but I can't. When I try to delete the extended

>> dos partition I get and error saying "Cannot delete Extended dod

>> partition while logical drives exist" the if I try num3 delete

>> logical drive I get an error saying "no logical drive defined"

>> and if I try to create a logical drive I get "All available space in

>> the extended dos partition is assigned to logical drives" "no logical

>> drives defined"

>> What can I do? can not start my pc . Please Help me! thanks

>

> There are a dozen posts in this thread, do this, do that, one can't

> do something else. Just go to the HDD manufacturer and download

> their diognostic tool and then write zeros to the disk. Then proceed

> as one wishes.

>

 

That's one fix. Allows use of fdisk afterwards on a clean hard drive.

Manufacturer's diagnostic tools for their hard drive should always be

available on bootable media. Those that work inside windows aren't

applicable here as one example.

Dave

[Guest John John]

Re: fdisk partitions

 

Frank(FL) wrote:

> Paola wrote:

>

>>I'm trying to reformat my HD and I can't not get rid of the Extended

>>dos partition. I have a Primary dos and an extended dos. I can delete

>>the primary but not the extended and when I try to do a setup in the

>>primary I get an error "setup can not create files on your startup

>>drive" then it says "If you have HPFS ormNTFS, you most create a

>>MS-DOS boot partition" which I can't since is already two I assueme

>>cause I try to do it but I can't. When I try to delete the extended

>>dos partition I get and error saying "Cannot delete Extended dod

>>partition while logical drives exist" the if I try num3 delete

>>logical drive I get an error saying "no logical drive defined"

>>and if I try to create a logical drive I get "All available space in

>>the extended dos partition is assigned to logical drives" "no logical

>>drives defined"

>>What can I do? can not start my pc . Please Help me! thanks

>

>

> There are a dozen posts in this thread, do this, do that, one can't

> do something else. Just go to the HDD manufacturer and download

> their diognostic tool and then write zeros to the disk. Then proceed

> as one wishes.

 

That one would fall under the category of "How to turn a 10 second task

into one that will take hours and hours to complete"!

 

John

[Guest Plato]

Re: fdisk partitions

 

=?Utf-8?B?UGFvbGE=?= wrote:

>

> I'm trying to reformat my HD and I can't not get rid of the Extended dos

> partition. I have a Primary dos and an extended dos. I can delete the primary

 

Use delpart:

http://www.bootdisk.com/plan10/delpart.zip

 

--

http://www.bootdisk.com/

[Guest Lil' Dave]

Re: fdisk partitions

 

"John John" <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message

news:e6bhTMYwHHA.1212@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

> Frank(FL) wrote:

>

>> Paola wrote:

>>

>>>I'm trying to reformat my HD and I can't not get rid of the Extended

>>>dos partition. I have a Primary dos and an extended dos. I can delete

>>>the primary but not the extended and when I try to do a setup in the

>>>primary I get an error "setup can not create files on your startup

>>>drive" then it says "If you have HPFS ormNTFS, you most create a

>>>MS-DOS boot partition" which I can't since is already two I assueme

>>>cause I try to do it but I can't. When I try to delete the extended

>>>dos partition I get and error saying "Cannot delete Extended dod

>>>partition while logical drives exist" the if I try num3 delete

>>>logical drive I get an error saying "no logical drive defined"

>>>and if I try to create a logical drive I get "All available space in

>>>the extended dos partition is assigned to logical drives" "no logical

>>>drives defined"

>>>What can I do? can not start my pc . Please Help me! thanks

>>

>>

>> There are a dozen posts in this thread, do this, do that, one can't

>> do something else. Just go to the HDD manufacturer and download

>> their diognostic tool and then write zeros to the disk. Then proceed

>> as one wishes.

>

> That one would fall under the category of "How to turn a 10 second task

> into one that will take hours and hours to complete"!

>

> John

 

Yep, one of many solutions. Probably the smartest one in terms of long term

usage after the fact (my experiences). I wouldn't use fdisk to partition

though, even if the end desired result was a FAT32 partition(s).

Dave