formatting hard drive

May 4, 2008

I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase), instead of a

complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard drive

and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system disk,

replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this message

comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot from

CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the operating

system it got to the point where it says something to this nature: make sure

to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your computer.

That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does a

quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase the

whole disk and have it completely clean.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, attilathehun1

May 4, 2008

Re: formatting hard drive

"attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:60085236-045B-460D-BBB4-81572A775FB3@microsoft.com...

> I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase), instead of

a

> complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard

drive

> and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system disk,

> replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this

message

> comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot from

> CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the operating

> system it got to the point where it says something to this nature: make

sure

> to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your computer.

> That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does a

> quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase the

> whole disk and have it completely clean.

Better repost with fulll details. It looks as if you want to instal

a second operating system: if so you need a boot manager

(as found in most Linux distros and WinXP but not in Win98:

I do not know about WinME.)

1. What hard drives are installed, with what OS, and what

do you want to instal?

2. BIOS menus are usually reached by interrupting reboot

process with the DEL key. How did you attempt (and fail) to reach

BIOS menus?

--

Don Phillipson

Carlsbad Springs

(Ottawa, Canada)

May 4, 2008

Re: formatting hard drive

"attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:60085236-045B-460D-BBB4-81572A775FB3@microsoft.com...

> I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase), instead of

a

> complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard

drive

> and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system disk,

> replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this

message

> comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot from

> CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the operating

> system it got to the point where it says something to this nature: make

sure

> to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your computer.

> That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does a

> quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase the

> whole disk and have it completely clean.

> Any help would be greatly appreciated.

> Thanks,

attilathehun1

Your problem is not due to the quick format...

the real question is: How, exactly is your *main* drive setup?

Though Windows can be installed on your slave drive,

the files needed to boot Windows will not be installed there...

they can only be installed to an active primary partition...

and that partition must be formatted as fat32 (or fat16).

Once you post back with the information concerning your main drive...

it should be fairly straight-forward to fully ascertain the situation.

As to the question of full format vs quick format:

The full format tests the drive as it is performing the operation

of assigning your drive as "free space". If the drive has any bad sectors on

it,

they will be mapped out. Other than that, the quick format "erases" your

drive

just as completely as the full format.

May 4, 2008

Re: formatting hard drive

Ok, I took the drive. Western Digital 20 GB, out that had Window ME OS

running on it and stuck it into the PC as a slave that had Windows 98 SE

operating system on it. The Windows 98 SE PC has a 10 GB Seagate hard drive.

This is usually how I format my drives. Stick them into a PC as a slave and

then format. I presume that's is how it's done. If there is an easier way to

format a drive that is a master or single drive, then please tell me. A drive

that has the primary operating system or only operating system on it can't be

formatted, right?

Ok, so now I did the quick format (erase) and stuck the Western Digital

back into the PC that has 320 MB of RAM and a Pentium III. When I tried to

reinstall the Windows ME OS into the Western Digital it gets to the point

where it says:

Please wait while Setup initializes.

Scanning system registry...

Copying files needed for Windows Setup...

Please remove any floppy disks from your drives and press any key to

restart your system.

Then it just keeps blinking. I mean the symbol hyphen keeps on quickly

blinking. That's as far as I get.

I'm using a burnt Window ME OS disk. It's not from the Manufacturer. I've

used this copy about 25 times. I don't think that's the problem.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Attilathehun1

--

attilathehun1

"Don Phillipson" wrote:

> "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:60085236-045B-460D-BBB4-81572A775FB3@microsoft.com...

>

> > I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase), instead of

> a

> > complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard

> drive

> > and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system disk,

> > replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this

> message

> > comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot from

> > CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the operating

> > system it got to the point where it says something to this nature: make

> sure

> > to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your computer.

> > That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does a

> > quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase the

> > whole disk and have it completely clean.

>

> Better repost with fulll details. It looks as if you want to instal

> a second operating system: if so you need a boot manager

> (as found in most Linux distros and WinXP but not in Win98:

> I do not know about WinME.)

> 1. What hard drives are installed, with what OS, and what

> do you want to instal?

> 2. BIOS menus are usually reached by interrupting reboot

> process with the DEL key. How did you attempt (and fail) to reach

> BIOS menus?

>

> --

> Don Phillipson

> Carlsbad Springs

> (Ottawa, Canada)

>

May 4, 2008

Re: formatting hard drive

--

attilathehun1

"Don Phillipson" wrote:

> "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:60085236-045B-460D-BBB4-81572A775FB3@microsoft.com...

>

> > I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase), instead of

> a

> > complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard

> drive

> > and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system disk,

> > replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this

> message

> > comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot from

> > CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the operating

> > system it got to the point where it says something to this nature: make

> sure

> > to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your computer.

> > That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does a

> > quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase the

> > whole disk and have it completely clean.

>

> Better repost with fulll details. It looks as if you want to instal

> a second operating system: if so you need a boot manager

> (as found in most Linux distros and WinXP but not in Win98:

> I do not know about WinME.)

> 1. What hard drives are installed, with what OS, and what

> do you want to instal?

> 2. BIOS menus are usually reached by interrupting reboot

> process with the DEL key. How did you attempt (and fail) to reach

> BIOS menus?

>

> --

> Don Phillipson

> Carlsbad Springs

> (Ottawa, Canada)

>

May 4, 2008

Re: formatting hard drive

Oh, that's probably the problem. I didn't partition the drive, I just

formatted it. Ok, I'll give that a shot.

I think I partition the drive during the Setup process, right?

I not even getting to that point. Let me check again, hold on. Nope, it's

still where it says to remove any floppy disks..etc

I know a new drive is partitioned while your loading up the OS.

If I'm wrong about the partition process, please tell me.

Thanks, attilathehun1

--

attilathehun1

"philo" wrote:

>

> "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:60085236-045B-460D-BBB4-81572A775FB3@microsoft.com...

> > I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase), instead of

> a

> > complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard

> drive

> > and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system disk,

> > replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this

> message

> > comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot from

> > CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the operating

> > system it got to the point where it says something to this nature: make

> sure

> > to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your computer.

> > That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does a

> > quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase the

> > whole disk and have it completely clean.

> > Any help would be greatly appreciated.

> > Thanks,

> attilathehun1

>

> Your problem is not due to the quick format...

> the real question is: How, exactly is your *main* drive setup?

>

> Though Windows can be installed on your slave drive,

> the files needed to boot Windows will not be installed there...

> they can only be installed to an active primary partition...

> and that partition must be formatted as fat32 (or fat16).

>

> Once you post back with the information concerning your main drive...

> it should be fairly straight-forward to fully ascertain the situation.

>

> As to the question of full format vs quick format:

>

> The full format tests the drive as it is performing the operation

> of assigning your drive as "free space". If the drive has any bad sectors on

> it,

> they will be mapped out. Other than that, the quick format "erases" your

> drive

> just as completely as the full format.

>

May 4, 2008

Re: formatting hard drive

"attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:EAB6FB7A-D6F3-43CB-9B80-2CE4D4558FCD@microsoft.com...

> Oh, that's probably the problem. I didn't partition the drive, I just

> formatted it. Ok, I'll give that a shot.

> I think I partition the drive during the Setup process, right?

> I not even getting to that point. Let me check again, hold on. Nope, it's

> still where it says to remove any floppy disks..etc

> I know a new drive is partitioned while your loading up the OS.

> If I'm wrong about the partition process, please tell me.

> Thanks,

attilathehun1

>

No!

It is *impossible* to format a drive unless it has been partitioned first.

Since you have not answered the question that I asked you, there is no way I

can help you

nor is it likely anyone can guess how you have setup your primary harddrive.

May 4, 2008

Re: formatting hard drive

"attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:A2356B85-3706-493E-8403-15D260C82FEA@microsoft.com...

> Ok, I took the drive. Western Digital 20 GB, out that had Window ME OS

> running on it and stuck it into the PC as a slave that had Windows 98 SE

> operating system on it. The Windows 98 SE PC has a 10 GB Seagate hard

> drive.

> This is usually how I format my drives. Stick them into a PC as a slave

> and

> then format. I presume that's is how it's done. If there is an easier way

> to

> format a drive that is a master or single drive, then please tell me. A

> drive

> that has the primary operating system or only operating system on it can't

> be

> formatted, right?

> Ok, so now I did the quick format (erase) and stuck the Western Digital

> back into the PC that has 320 MB of RAM and a Pentium III. When I tried to

> reinstall the Windows ME OS into the Western Digital it gets to the point

> where it says:

> Please wait while Setup initializes.

> Scanning system registry...

> Copying files needed for Windows Setup...

> Please remove any floppy disks from your drives and press any key to

> restart your system.

And did you press any key? And if that doesn't do anything, did you try

restarting manually after removing all discs, CD and floppy (and bootable

USB stick, whatever...)? And if that didn't work, did you try running SETUP

again?

Maybe you should start over: Actually, the easy way to format a drive is to

use a floppy Windows boot disk. If you don't have one, go to bootdisk.com,

download the WINME version http://vcic.com/vault/bootme.exe and make sure

you have a handful of floppies to try, since floppies are getting older and

older and less trustworthy.

You should make such a disk, boot to it on the machine that has the

"problem" drive in it. I presume you have re-jumpered the drive and it is

now Primary Master. RIGHT? When you get to the question, choose "without

CDROM support." When it gets to the A:\> prompt, run the following command:

FORMAT C:

Since there was a problem, do a full format. (Otherwise you'd use the

following command for "quick" format:

FORMAT C: /q

Yes, you can format a drive with an OS on it. Formatting wipes EVERYTHING

and leaves you with a blank, usable disk.

When the formatting is done, remove the floppy, insert the WinME CD, and use

Ctrl-Alt-Del to restart the system. The WinME disc should crank up and you

can go from there.

--

Gary S. Terhune

MS-MVP Shell/User

http://www.grystmill.com

> Then it just keeps blinking. I mean the symbol hyphen keeps on quickly

> blinking. That's as far as I get.

> I'm using a burnt Window ME OS disk. It's not from the Manufacturer. I've

> used this copy about 25 times. I don't think that's the problem.

> Any help would be greatly appreciated.

> Thanks, Attilathehun1

>

> --

> attilathehun1

>

> "Don Phillipson" wrote:

>

>> "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in

>> message

>> news:60085236-045B-460D-BBB4-81572A775FB3@microsoft.com...

>>

>> > I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase), instead

>> > of

>> a

>> > complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard

>> drive

>> > and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system

>> > disk,

>> > replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this

>> message

>> > comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot from

>> > CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the

>> > operating

>> > system it got to the point where it says something to this nature: make

>> sure

>> > to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your

>> > computer.

>> > That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does

>> > a

>> > quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase

>> > the

>> > whole disk and have it completely clean.

>>

>> Better repost with fulll details. It looks as if you want to instal

>> a second operating system: if so you need a boot manager

>> (as found in most Linux distros and WinXP but not in Win98:

>> I do not know about WinME.)

>> 1. What hard drives are installed, with what OS, and what

>> do you want to instal?

>> 2. BIOS menus are usually reached by interrupting reboot

>> process with the DEL key. How did you attempt (and fail) to reach

>> BIOS menus?

>>

>> --

>> Don Phillipson

>> Carlsbad Springs

>> (Ottawa, Canada)

>>

May 4, 2008

Re: formatting hard drive

I see what you were getting at -- no, an OS can't format its own partition.

But using a floppy-based OS like that on a Windows Startup floppy (or a CD

version) is MUCH easier than moving the drive to another machine and back.

--

Gary S. Terhune

MS-MVP Shell/User

http://www.grystmill.com

"Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message

news:eYYVophrIHA.1316@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>

> "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:A2356B85-3706-493E-8403-15D260C82FEA@microsoft.com...

>> Ok, I took the drive. Western Digital 20 GB, out that had Window ME OS

>> running on it and stuck it into the PC as a slave that had Windows 98 SE

>> operating system on it. The Windows 98 SE PC has a 10 GB Seagate hard

>> drive.

>> This is usually how I format my drives. Stick them into a PC as a slave

>> and

>> then format. I presume that's is how it's done. If there is an easier way

>> to

>> format a drive that is a master or single drive, then please tell me. A

>> drive

>> that has the primary operating system or only operating system on it

>> can't be

>> formatted, right?

>> Ok, so now I did the quick format (erase) and stuck the Western Digital

>> back into the PC that has 320 MB of RAM and a Pentium III. When I tried

>> to

>> reinstall the Windows ME OS into the Western Digital it gets to the point

>> where it says:

>> Please wait while Setup initializes.

>> Scanning system registry...

>> Copying files needed for Windows Setup...

>> Please remove any floppy disks from your drives and press any key to

>> restart your system.

>

> And did you press any key? And if that doesn't do anything, did you try

> restarting manually after removing all discs, CD and floppy (and bootable

> USB stick, whatever...)? And if that didn't work, did you try running

> SETUP again?

>

> Maybe you should start over: Actually, the easy way to format a drive is

> to use a floppy Windows boot disk. If you don't have one, go to

> bootdisk.com, download the WINME version http://vcic.com/vault/bootme.exe

> and make sure you have a handful of floppies to try, since floppies are

> getting older and older and less trustworthy.

>

> You should make such a disk, boot to it on the machine that has the

> "problem" drive in it. I presume you have re-jumpered the drive and it is

> now Primary Master. RIGHT? When you get to the question, choose "without

> CDROM support." When it gets to the A:\> prompt, run the following

> command:

> FORMAT C:

>

> Since there was a problem, do a full format. (Otherwise you'd use the

> following command for "quick" format:

> FORMAT C: /q

>

> Yes, you can format a drive with an OS on it. Formatting wipes EVERYTHING

> and leaves you with a blank, usable disk.

>

> When the formatting is done, remove the floppy, insert the WinME CD, and

> use

> Ctrl-Alt-Del to restart the system. The WinME disc should crank up and you

> can go from there.

>

> --

> Gary S. Terhune

> MS-MVP Shell/User

> http://www.grystmill.com

>

>> Then it just keeps blinking. I mean the symbol hyphen keeps on quickly

>> blinking. That's as far as I get.

>> I'm using a burnt Window ME OS disk. It's not from the Manufacturer. I've

>> used this copy about 25 times. I don't think that's the problem.

>> Any help would be greatly appreciated.

>> Thanks, Attilathehun1

>>

>> --

>> attilathehun1

>>

>> "Don Phillipson" wrote:

>>

>>> "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in

>>> message

>>> news:60085236-045B-460D-BBB4-81572A775FB3@microsoft.com...

>>>

>>> > I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase),

>>> > instead of

>>> a

>>> > complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard

>>> drive

>>> > and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system

>>> > disk,

>>> > replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this

>>> message

>>> > comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot

>>> > from

>>> > CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the

>>> > operating

>>> > system it got to the point where it says something to this nature:

>>> > make

>>> sure

>>> > to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your

>>> > computer.

>>> > That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does

>>> > a

>>> > quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase

>>> > the

>>> > whole disk and have it completely clean.

>>>

>>> Better repost with fulll details. It looks as if you want to instal

>>> a second operating system: if so you need a boot manager

>>> (as found in most Linux distros and WinXP but not in Win98:

>>> I do not know about WinME.)

>>> 1. What hard drives are installed, with what OS, and what

>>> do you want to instal?

>>> 2. BIOS menus are usually reached by interrupting reboot

>>> process with the DEL key. How did you attempt (and fail) to reach

>>> BIOS menus?

>>>

>>> --

>>> Don Phillipson

>>> Carlsbad Springs

>>> (Ottawa, Canada)

>>>

>

May 4, 2008

Re: formatting hard drive

I tried doing maybe 5 times over. I removed any floppies or CDs from the PC.

I think your right with having to partition the drive ahead of time. I

presume I can partition the drive after formatting as a slave? Anotherwords,

after I format the drive as a slave, I can then start the partition process?

Any response will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, attilathehun1

--

attilathehun1

"Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

> I see what you were getting at -- no, an OS can't format its own partition.

> But using a floppy-based OS like that on a Windows Startup floppy (or a CD

> version) is MUCH easier than moving the drive to another machine and back.

>

> --

> Gary S. Terhune

> MS-MVP Shell/User

> http://www.grystmill.com

>

> "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message

> news:eYYVophrIHA.1316@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

> >

> > "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> > news:A2356B85-3706-493E-8403-15D260C82FEA@microsoft.com...

> >> Ok, I took the drive. Western Digital 20 GB, out that had Window ME OS

> >> running on it and stuck it into the PC as a slave that had Windows 98 SE

> >> operating system on it. The Windows 98 SE PC has a 10 GB Seagate hard

> >> drive.

> >> This is usually how I format my drives. Stick them into a PC as a slave

> >> and

> >> then format. I presume that's is how it's done. If there is an easier way

> >> to

> >> format a drive that is a master or single drive, then please tell me. A

> >> drive

> >> that has the primary operating system or only operating system on it

> >> can't be

> >> formatted, right?

> >> Ok, so now I did the quick format (erase) and stuck the Western Digital

> >> back into the PC that has 320 MB of RAM and a Pentium III. When I tried

> >> to

> >> reinstall the Windows ME OS into the Western Digital it gets to the point

> >> where it says:

> >> Please wait while Setup initializes.

> >> Scanning system registry...

> >> Copying files needed for Windows Setup...

> >> Please remove any floppy disks from your drives and press any key to

> >> restart your system.

> >

> > And did you press any key? And if that doesn't do anything, did you try

> > restarting manually after removing all discs, CD and floppy (and bootable

> > USB stick, whatever...)? And if that didn't work, did you try running

> > SETUP again?

> >

> > Maybe you should start over: Actually, the easy way to format a drive is

> > to use a floppy Windows boot disk. If you don't have one, go to

> > bootdisk.com, download the WINME version http://vcic.com/vault/bootme.exe

> > and make sure you have a handful of floppies to try, since floppies are

> > getting older and older and less trustworthy.

> >

> > You should make such a disk, boot to it on the machine that has the

> > "problem" drive in it. I presume you have re-jumpered the drive and it is

> > now Primary Master. RIGHT? When you get to the question, choose "without

> > CDROM support." When it gets to the A:\> prompt, run the following

> > command:

> > FORMAT C:

> >

> > Since there was a problem, do a full format. (Otherwise you'd use the

> > following command for "quick" format:

> > FORMAT C: /q

> >

> > Yes, you can format a drive with an OS on it. Formatting wipes EVERYTHING

> > and leaves you with a blank, usable disk.

> >

> > When the formatting is done, remove the floppy, insert the WinME CD, and

> > use

> > Ctrl-Alt-Del to restart the system. The WinME disc should crank up and you

> > can go from there.

> >

> > --

> > Gary S. Terhune

> > MS-MVP Shell/User

> > http://www.grystmill.com

> >

> >> Then it just keeps blinking. I mean the symbol hyphen keeps on quickly

> >> blinking. That's as far as I get.

> >> I'm using a burnt Window ME OS disk. It's not from the Manufacturer. I've

> >> used this copy about 25 times. I don't think that's the problem.

> >> Any help would be greatly appreciated.

> >> Thanks, Attilathehun1

> >>

> >> --

> >> attilathehun1

> >>

> >> "Don Phillipson" wrote:

> >>

> >>> "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in

> >>> message

> >>> news:60085236-045B-460D-BBB4-81572A775FB3@microsoft.com...

> >>>

> >>> > I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase),

> >>> > instead of

> >>> a

> >>> > complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard

> >>> drive

> >>> > and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system

> >>> > disk,

> >>> > replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this

> >>> message

> >>> > comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot

> >>> > from

> >>> > CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the

> >>> > operating

> >>> > system it got to the point where it says something to this nature:

> >>> > make

> >>> sure

> >>> > to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your

> >>> > computer.

> >>> > That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does

> >>> > a

> >>> > quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase

> >>> > the

> >>> > whole disk and have it completely clean.

> >>>

> >>> Better repost with fulll details. It looks as if you want to instal

> >>> a second operating system: if so you need a boot manager

> >>> (as found in most Linux distros and WinXP but not in Win98:

> >>> I do not know about WinME.)

> >>> 1. What hard drives are installed, with what OS, and what

> >>> do you want to instal?

> >>> 2. BIOS menus are usually reached by interrupting reboot

> >>> process with the DEL key. How did you attempt (and fail) to reach

> >>> BIOS menus?

> >>>

> >>> --

> >>> Don Phillipson

> >>> Carlsbad Springs

> >>> (Ottawa, Canada)

> >>>

> >

>

May 4, 2008

Re: formatting hard drive

Ok, I thought it was the other way around, that you had to first format it

and then partition it. Well I glad that question has been answered.

I using only 1 drive per PC. The only reason I put a slave in is to format

it and erase the drive when it's in the slave position. I see there is

another easier way to format the drive using a boot disk floppy or CD? I

thought any drive with the existing master operating system that the computer

is using right now cannot be messed with. Anotherwords, no formatting while

it's being used as the primary OS. If I'm wrong there, then tell me please.

Thanks, attilathehun1

--

attilathehun1

"philo" wrote:

>

> "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:EAB6FB7A-D6F3-43CB-9B80-2CE4D4558FCD@microsoft.com...

> > Oh, that's probably the problem. I didn't partition the drive, I just

> > formatted it. Ok, I'll give that a shot.

> > I think I partition the drive during the Setup process, right?

> > I not even getting to that point. Let me check again, hold on. Nope, it's

> > still where it says to remove any floppy disks..etc

> > I know a new drive is partitioned while your loading up the OS.

> > If I'm wrong about the partition process, please tell me.

> > Thanks,

> attilathehun1

> >

>

> No!

>

> It is *impossible* to format a drive unless it has been partitioned first.

> Since you have not answered the question that I asked you, there is no way I

> can help you

> nor is it likely anyone can guess how you have setup your primary harddrive.

>

May 4, 2008

Re: formatting hard drive

"attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:BA55A430-2A3F-4FD4-AE6C-16AE87680053@microsoft.com...

> Ok, I thought it was the other way around, that you had to first format it

> and then partition it. Well I glad that question has been answered.

> I using only 1 drive per PC. The only reason I put a slave in is to

format

> it and erase the drive when it's in the slave position. I see there is

> another easier way to format the drive using a boot disk floppy or CD? I

> thought any drive with the existing master operating system that the

computer

> is using right now cannot be messed with. Anotherwords, no formatting

while

> it's being used as the primary OS. If I'm wrong there, then tell me

please.

> Thanks,

attilathehun1

>

Thank you for clarifying. I think I was about to take a guess and ask if

maybe you removed the

primary drive...or had put the slave in another machine.

If you plan to just have *one* drive per machine...

take that particular drive and put it in the machine in which you intend to

use it.

I guess it does not really matter, but you really should jumper it as

master.

Since it was a slave drive I don't know if it was set active...

so with your boot floppy run fdisk and if it is not set active...be sure to

do so...

but make no more changes.

Now your installation of Windows should work.

I am still not 100% sure of what you have done...

but you are correct that when you have a main drive in your machine

and you want to put in a second drive...just to format it (for example)

you are smart to remove the main drive so there is no chance of accidentally

destroying your data

May 5, 2008

Re: formatting hard drive

No, no, no.... You partition the disk first, then format the partition. And,

as I said, you don't normally move a hard drive to another machine to format

it (or partition it, for that matter.) You use a Windows Startup disk,

usually a bootable floppy, but you can also get a bootable CD version.

Boot to the floppy startup disk and start without CDROM support. When you

get to the A:\> prompt, run FDISK. When asked about large drive support, say

yes. At the menu, choose 4. to display partition info. It should say

"Current fixed disk drive: 1" and then a list of partitions that should only

include one:

C: should be Partition 1, its Status should be Active, its Type should be

PRI DOS. Is all that true?

--

Gary S. Terhune

MS-MVP Shell/User

http://www.grystmill.com

"attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:B67D8C22-7666-4453-8CD0-744B98829739@microsoft.com...

>I tried doing maybe 5 times over. I removed any floppies or CDs from the

>PC.

> I think your right with having to partition the drive ahead of time. I

> presume I can partition the drive after formatting as a slave?

> Anotherwords,

> after I format the drive as a slave, I can then start the partition

> process?

> Any response will be greatly appreciated.

> Thanks, attilathehun1

> --

> attilathehun1

>

> "Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

>

>> I see what you were getting at -- no, an OS can't format its own

>> partition.

>> But using a floppy-based OS like that on a Windows Startup floppy (or a

>> CD

>> version) is MUCH easier than moving the drive to another machine and

>> back.

>>

>> --

>> Gary S. Terhune

>> MS-MVP Shell/User

>> http://www.grystmill.com

>>

>> "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message

>> news:eYYVophrIHA.1316@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>> >

>> > "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in

>> > message

>> > news:A2356B85-3706-493E-8403-15D260C82FEA@microsoft.com...

>> >> Ok, I took the drive. Western Digital 20 GB, out that had Window ME OS

>> >> running on it and stuck it into the PC as a slave that had Windows 98

>> >> SE

>> >> operating system on it. The Windows 98 SE PC has a 10 GB Seagate hard

>> >> drive.

>> >> This is usually how I format my drives. Stick them into a PC as a

>> >> slave

>> >> and

>> >> then format. I presume that's is how it's done. If there is an easier

>> >> way

>> >> to

>> >> format a drive that is a master or single drive, then please tell me.

>> >> A

>> >> drive

>> >> that has the primary operating system or only operating system on it

>> >> can't be

>> >> formatted, right?

>> >> Ok, so now I did the quick format (erase) and stuck the Western

>> >> Digital

>> >> back into the PC that has 320 MB of RAM and a Pentium III. When I

>> >> tried

>> >> to

>> >> reinstall the Windows ME OS into the Western Digital it gets to the

>> >> point

>> >> where it says:

>> >> Please wait while Setup initializes.

>> >> Scanning system registry...

>> >> Copying files needed for Windows Setup...

>> >> Please remove any floppy disks from your drives and press any key to

>> >> restart your system.

>> >

>> > And did you press any key? And if that doesn't do anything, did you try

>> > restarting manually after removing all discs, CD and floppy (and

>> > bootable

>> > USB stick, whatever...)? And if that didn't work, did you try running

>> > SETUP again?

>> >

>> > Maybe you should start over: Actually, the easy way to format a drive

>> > is

>> > to use a floppy Windows boot disk. If you don't have one, go to

>> > bootdisk.com, download the WINME version

>> > http://vcic.com/vault/bootme.exe

>> > and make sure you have a handful of floppies to try, since floppies are

>> > getting older and older and less trustworthy.

>> >

>> > You should make such a disk, boot to it on the machine that has the

>> > "problem" drive in it. I presume you have re-jumpered the drive and it

>> > is

>> > now Primary Master. RIGHT? When you get to the question, choose

>> > "without

>> > CDROM support." When it gets to the A:\> prompt, run the following

>> > command:

>> > FORMAT C:

>> >

>> > Since there was a problem, do a full format. (Otherwise you'd use the

>> > following command for "quick" format:

>> > FORMAT C: /q

>> >

>> > Yes, you can format a drive with an OS on it. Formatting wipes

>> > EVERYTHING

>> > and leaves you with a blank, usable disk.

>> >

>> > When the formatting is done, remove the floppy, insert the WinME CD,

>> > and

>> > use

>> > Ctrl-Alt-Del to restart the system. The WinME disc should crank up and

>> > you

>> > can go from there.

>> >

>> > --

>> > Gary S. Terhune

>> > MS-MVP Shell/User

>> > http://www.grystmill.com

>> >

>> >> Then it just keeps blinking. I mean the symbol hyphen keeps on quickly

>> >> blinking. That's as far as I get.

>> >> I'm using a burnt Window ME OS disk. It's not from the Manufacturer.

>> >> I've

>> >> used this copy about 25 times. I don't think that's the problem.

>> >> Any help would be greatly appreciated.

>> >> Thanks, Attilathehun1

>> >>

>> >> --

>> >> attilathehun1

>> >>

>> >> "Don Phillipson" wrote:

>> >>

>> >>> "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in

>> >>> message

>> >>> news:60085236-045B-460D-BBB4-81572A775FB3@microsoft.com...

>> >>>

>> >>> > I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase),

>> >>> > instead of

>> >>> a

>> >>> > complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the

>> >>> > hard

>> >>> drive

>> >>> > and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system

>> >>> > disk,

>> >>> > replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but

>> >>> > this

>> >>> message

>> >>> > comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot

>> >>> > from

>> >>> > CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the

>> >>> > operating

>> >>> > system it got to the point where it says something to this nature:

>> >>> > make

>> >>> sure

>> >>> > to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your

>> >>> > computer.

>> >>> > That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format?

>> >>> > Does

>> >>> > a

>> >>> > quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to

>> >>> > erase

>> >>> > the

>> >>> > whole disk and have it completely clean.

>> >>>

>> >>> Better repost with fulll details. It looks as if you want to instal

>> >>> a second operating system: if so you need a boot manager

>> >>> (as found in most Linux distros and WinXP but not in Win98:

>> >>> I do not know about WinME.)

>> >>> 1. What hard drives are installed, with what OS, and what

>> >>> do you want to instal?

>> >>> 2. BIOS menus are usually reached by interrupting reboot

>> >>> process with the DEL key. How did you attempt (and fail) to reach

>> >>> BIOS menus?

>> >>>

>> >>> --

>> >>> Don Phillipson

>> >>> Carlsbad Springs

>> >>> (Ottawa, Canada)

>> >>>

>> >

>>

May 5, 2008

Re: formatting hard drive

"attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:60085236-045B-460D-BBB4-81572A775FB3@microsoft.com...

> I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase), instead of a

> complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard drive

> and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system disk,

> replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this message

> comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot from

> CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the operating

> system it got to the point where it says something to this nature: make sure

> to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your computer.

> That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does a

> quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase the

> whole disk and have it completely clean.

> Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Go to http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm and create a Windows ME

boot floppy. Use it to start the computer in question, type "sys c:" and press

"Enter". Then remove the floppy, insert the Windows ME CD, restart the

computer and rerun Windows setup. Also, make sure the drive is jumpered

correctly, probably "Master, slave not present".

Ben

May 5, 2008

Re: formatting hard drive

On Sun, 4 May 2008 05:22:00 -0700, attilathehun1

<attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

> I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase), instead of a

>complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard drive

>and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system disk,

>replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this message

>comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot from

>CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the operating

>system it got to the point where it says something to this nature: make sure

>to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your computer.

>That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does a

>quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase the

>whole disk and have it completely clean.

> Any help would be greatly appreciated.

> Thanks, attilathehun1

You pressed the wrong "ANY KEY". :)

Run Fdisk, remove the partitions completely. Create new partitions,

format them. You can do all of this from a bootable dos floppy with

FDISK and FORMAT on the disk. Be sure the drive jumpers are set to

SLAVE.

Or, get your hands on Partition Magic. You can do most anything with

that program, including removing all traces of data.

If all else fails, I once created a dos batch file that fill an entire

harddrive with one sentence. I actually created it as a joke, to

drive my friends crazy, but it also served to remove all traces of

data. I'm not sure if I can find that file anymore. but it just kept

multiplying (cloning itself), until the whole drive was full. (It did

a great job of pissing people off).

May 6, 2008

Re: formatting hard drive

--

attilathehun1

"philo" wrote:

>

> "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:BA55A430-2A3F-4FD4-AE6C-16AE87680053@microsoft.com...

> > Ok, I thought it was the other way around, that you had to first format it

> > and then partition it. Well I glad that question has been answered.

> > I using only 1 drive per PC. The only reason I put a slave in is to

> format

> > it and erase the drive when it's in the slave position. I see there is

> > another easier way to format the drive using a boot disk floppy or CD? I

> > thought any drive with the existing master operating system that the

> computer

> > is using right now cannot be messed with. Anotherwords, no formatting

> while

> > it's being used as the primary OS. If I'm wrong there, then tell me

> please.

> > Thanks,

> attilathehun1

> >

>

> Thank you for clarifying. I think I was about to take a guess and ask if

> maybe you removed the

> primary drive...or had put the slave in another machine.

>

> If you plan to just have *one* drive per machine...

> take that particular drive and put it in the machine in which you intend to

> use it.

> I guess it does not really matter, but you really should jumper it as

> master.

>

> Since it was a slave drive I don't know if it was set active...

> so with your boot floppy run fdisk and if it is not set active...be sure to

> do so...

> but make no more changes.

>

> Now your installation of Windows should work.

>

> I am still not 100% sure of what you have done...

> but you are correct that when you have a main drive in your machine

> and you want to put in a second drive...just to format it (for example)

> you are smart to remove the main drive so there is no chance of accidentally

> destroying your data

>

May 6, 2008

Re: formatting hard drive

You mean to tell me that Windows ME setup doesn't start by doing it's own

SYS operation? If true, that would be really, really dumb.

--

Gary S. Terhune

MS-MVP Shell/User

http://www.grystmill.com

"Ben Myers" <benjmyers@mindR-e-m-o-v-Espring.com> wrote in message

news:O9VwYtkrIHA.1200@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

"attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:60085236-045B-460D-BBB4-81572A775FB3@microsoft.com...

> I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase), instead of

> a

> complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard

> drive

> and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system disk,

> replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this

> message

> comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot from

> CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the operating

> system it got to the point where it says something to this nature: make

> sure

> to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your computer.

> That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does a

> quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase the

> whole disk and have it completely clean.

> Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Go to http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm and create a Windows ME

boot floppy. Use it to start the computer in question, type "sys c:" and

press

"Enter". Then remove the floppy, insert the Windows ME CD, restart the

computer and rerun Windows setup. Also, make sure the drive is jumpered

correctly, probably "Master, slave not present".

Ben

May 6, 2008

Re: formatting hard drive

"Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message

news:OmM%23%23MyrIHA.4912@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

> You mean to tell me that Windows ME setup doesn't start by doing it's own

> SYS operation? If true, that would be really, really dumb.

>

I have fooled around with Windows ME briedly

and I hate it.

If one installs WinME it's no different from any other version of Win9x...

it will of course "sys" the drive and the machine should boot just fine

after an installation.

But the one thing that's different about WinME is that you cannot

necessarily SYS the drive

by simply using a WinME bootdisk. IIRC , if the system files are already in

place...it will not allow one to re "sys" the drive

http://mirror.href.com/thestarman/asm/mbr/SYSCOM.htm

May 6, 2008

Re: formatting hard drive

On Mon, 5 May 2008 19:43:31 -0700, "Gary S. Terhune" <none> put finger

to keyboard and composed:

>You mean to tell me that Windows ME setup doesn't start by doing it's own

>SYS operation? If true, that would be really, really dumb.

Is it possible that the SYS command also refreshes the boot sector

whereas the setup procedure may not? I recently got stung when I

trashed the boot sector on an XP system (using Fixboot). The XP OS had

been installed on a FAT32 partition that originally contained Win98SE.

Normally I would have been able to restore the damaged XP boot sector

from a backup at logical sector 6, but the XP setup procedure had not

refreshed this location. Instead it left the old Win98SE backup boot

sector intact.

- Franc Zabkar

--

Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

May 6, 2008

Re: formatting hard drive

Well, I would expect the SYS command to be run, plain and simple, first

thing during setup. SYS the drive, copy over the installation files, leave a

startup command to restart setup once it reboots... (Presumes drive is

properly partitioned and formatted, which Setup should ALSO check.) Does

anything else make sense to you?

Anyway, the drive at issue DID have ME running on it just fine. All he did

was use Win98 to format the repartition, which AFAIK doesn't touch the boot

sector. No, I think it's as simple as the drive not being set Active, which

I can see happening when the formatting was done the way it was. When the

system reboots, it can't find the Active partition and that's that. OP is

looking at an OEM splash screen, not the underlying BIOS screen, which I

would bet says it can't find any bootable media.

Which, if true, is another huge black mark against ME. How hard can it be

for Setup to make sure the drive/partition, whatever, are suitable and in

the proper state to support the OS?

--

Gary S. Terhune

MS-MVP Shell/User

http://www.grystmill.com

"Franc Zabkar" <fzabkar@iinternode.on.net> wrote in message

news:e84024ldb8r4jll2tiimtjag5ggpi3bfd3@4ax.com...

> On Mon, 5 May 2008 19:43:31 -0700, "Gary S. Terhune" <none> put finger

> to keyboard and composed:

>

>>You mean to tell me that Windows ME setup doesn't start by doing it's own

>>SYS operation? If true, that would be really, really dumb.

>

> Is it possible that the SYS command also refreshes the boot sector

> whereas the setup procedure may not? I recently got stung when I

> trashed the boot sector on an XP system (using Fixboot). The XP OS had

> been installed on a FAT32 partition that originally contained Win98SE.

> Normally I would have been able to restore the damaged XP boot sector

> from a backup at logical sector 6, but the XP setup procedure had not

> refreshed this location. Instead it left the old Win98SE backup boot

> sector intact.

>

> - Franc Zabkar

> --

> Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

May 7, 2008

Re: formatting hard drive

"attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in

message news:60085236-045B-460D-BBB4-81572A775FB3@microsoft.com...

| I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase),

instead of a

| complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard

drive

| and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system

disk,

| replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this

message

| comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot

from

| CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the

operating

| system it got to the point where it says something to this nature:

make sure

| to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your

computer.

| That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does

a

| quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase

the

| whole disk and have it completely clean.

| Any help would be greatly appreciated.

In order for a partition to boot, its PBR (Partition Boot Record) drive

number must be x'80'. Myers has your cure... SYS the partition!

When you moved the hard drive to be a slave on another computer, it

likely became drive D:. Therefore, you should have...

FORMAT D: /S

/S does the same as SYS. I guess you left that out, & you got an x'81'

for drive number, instead of x'80'. SYS or /S will always put an x'80'

in there, whether/not the drive actually is the Primary Master on the

Primary IDE connector of the motherboard. To boot it absent a fancy BIOS

or a 3rd party boot manager, you need nevertheless to move it back to a

Primary Master on the Primary IDE connector.

It's also possible, as Terhune said, you forgot to rejumper the drive to

be a Master after you moved it back to the original computer.

REALLY... it's best to do it all as Terhune said on the original

computer using a Startup Diskette-- to avoid the possibility you format

the wrong drive! Get the drive letter right!

FDISK must precede FORMAT only the first time. Then, do the FDISK only

to change size or type of partition or when you suspect there may

otherwise be a need for it.

| Thanks,

attilathehun1

--

Thanks or Good Luck,

There may be humor in this post, and,

Naturally, you will not sue,

Should things get worse after this,

PCR

pcrrcp@netzero.net

May 11, 2008

RE: formatting hard drive

Can you use a boot disk to format a hard drive if it's the only drive in the

computer? Most of my PCs only have 1 drive in them. Also the hard drive is

the primary drive. Anotherwords, the drive isn't partitioned into 2 or 3

different drives. It's one drive 1 partition and simple as that. I didn't

have a 80 GB hard drive that I partitioned into 20GB of drive C and 60 GB of

drive D. It's all one drive 80 GBs of drive C. That's just an example of what

my PCs have in them. One drive, one partiton that's usually C drive. Can that

be formatted with a boot disk if the primary OS is on it?

I've always thought that you can't format a drive if the primary OS is on

it. That's why I always would take the drive out and stick it into another PC

as the slave and then format it.

Thanks, attilathehun1

--

attilathehun1

"attilathehun1" wrote: