Solved Formatting HDD

P

PaulElmes

New Member
I've just noticed today that you can't format a HDD if it's the only partition on your HDD that has Windows on it. Is there anyway around that?

I wanted to reinstall Vista Home Premium 32bit on my system, but for some reason I hit problems. I wanted to do it because I've run out of disk space, but I think the problem is that I don't have enough disk space to store the temp files that are needed to do the install? Am I right in saying that? The only reason I wanted to format the HDD was because when I booted the CD on start up the "Windows is loading files..." page finished and nothing happened afterwards.

One final thing, is there any other option for reinstalling Vista Home Premium on my machine?

Thanks in advance guys, any help is much appreciated.
 
Last edited by a moderator:

My Computer

System One

Hi Paul,

Were you trying to reinstall from within windows, i.e an upgrade/repair type install?

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html

If you boot from the installation dvd, you can select Drive Options (advanced) and delete, recreate and format partitions there.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/117366-clean-install-full-version-vista.html


You may find you have the option of a pop-up boot menu - watch the black screen with white writing when you start the machine - may say something like:

F2 for setup
F11 for boot menu ( your F numbers may be different)

Press the one for boot menu - when it pops up, arrow to cdrom drive , put dvd in press Enter. It will ask you to press any key to boot from cdrom - press Enter again.

If you don't get that option , see this

How to Set BIOS to Boot from CDROM - www.hiren.info


Hope it helps

SIW2
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Vista
    CPU
    Intel E8400
    Motherboard
    ASRock1333-GLAN R2.0
    Memory
    4gb DDR2 800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nvidia 9500GT 1gb
  • Operating System
    win7/vista
    CPU
    intel i5-8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    ballistix 2x8gb 3200
Hi thanks for the reply, very helpful indeed.

Having been looking through various wesbites and stuff I think I have the upgrade/repair disk you were talking about. It has "Includes Upgrade Anytime included" written on it. Does that mean it's an upgrade copy rather than a hard copy of Home Premium. I can't remember the exact origins of the CD unfortunatly.

The clean install is exactly what I was trying to, all goes to plan to plan up until the "Windows is loading files..." screen disapears, and the nothing happens. I left it for 2 hours yesterday and nothing happens. I even disabled my network card and sound cards but still nothing happened.

When I go Computer>Installation disk, and click autorun it comes up with "Check compatibility" and "Install", but when I click "Install" it says the system should have at least 9.5gb to store the temp files on needed to do the upgrade.

Is there anyway round all of this?
 

My Computer

System One

Hi Paul,

Yes there is.

To run the Upgrade install , you need to delete 9.5gb from your hd. Probably, turning off system restore will do that

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/66971-system-restore.html

To do a clean install from dvd, you may need to run checkdisk first.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67612-check-disk-chkdsk.html?ltr=C

Then, disconnect from the internet.

If you have an Upgrade dvd, install twice, the first time by booting from the dvd.

Do not enter the product key the during this first install.

When it asks for the key, click Next, It asks again, click No, then highlight your version by clicking on it, and tick the box which says I have selected the Edition I purchased, click Next.

Select Custom install >Drive Options (advanced) do your partitioning and click on the partition you want to install on.

Second install is the regular upgrade where you insert the dvd after you have booted into Windows.

This time put the product key in when asked. That's it.

It's all here in pictures

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/68767-clean-install-upgrade-vista.html

If you have the regular dvd (you may-mine also says it includes Windows Anytime Upgrade )

Then use this

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/117366-clean-install-full-version-vista.html

Reconnect to the net when you have installed your antivirus app.


EDIT: Unless it says Upgrade dvd on it, you probably have the regular one - try turning off system restore and running checkdisk for good measure beforehand.

Hope it helps

SIW2
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Vista
    CPU
    Intel E8400
    Motherboard
    ASRock1333-GLAN R2.0
    Memory
    4gb DDR2 800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nvidia 9500GT 1gb
  • Operating System
    win7/vista
    CPU
    intel i5-8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    ballistix 2x8gb 3200
Hi thanks again for the reply, it's nice to talk to someone about this who actually attempts to explain things.

I've managed to find the instructions and it says I can use the CD to upgrade and to do a clean install.

Unfortunatly I can't do the upgrade install you as I only have 7gb of free space, and I've freed everything I can up (including System Restore and Shadow Copy).

But I now have one major problem and that is the fact that once the I get past the "Windows is loading files..." page, the screen goes blank, the HDD indicator stops flashing and the CD drive goes quiet. I'm then left with a blank screen.

Do you know what the problem could be? I looked it up on thw Windows site and done everything they recommended but still nothing.

[edit] Oh, and I spent from 10am-9pm running chkdsk, couldn't believe how long it took. Tried running the CD from boot again but still nothing.
 
Last edited:

My Computer

System One

Not to cofuse things but do you have a partiton on your Drive. Namely C: D: ?:huh:
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 St
    Motherboard
    Asus STRIKER EXTREME 680I SLI
    Memory
    Corsair 4GB Kit (4x1GB) DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400 XMS2 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    Point Of View 8800GT 512MB GDD
    Sound Card
    Soundmax 5.1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 46"
    Screen Resolution
    1080P
    Hard Drives
    1x WD Raptor WD360ADFD 36GB SATA 10KRPM 16MB Cache
    1x WD Raptor WD740DFD 74GB SATA 10KRPM 16MB Cache
    PSU
    Coolermaster 600W
    Case
    Coolermaster nVidia
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooling Extreme
    Keyboard
    MS Wireless Entertainment Keyboard 7000
    Mouse
    MS Wireless Laser mouse 8000
    Internet Speed
    1.2mb & 10mb
I only have one partition which is C:, it tells me that's why it can't format the hard drive, and considering I can't boot the CD from startup it seemed like my only option at the time
 

My Computer

System One

How many Gbs on C:
Have you tried to delete Hibernate files so as to get the extra 2.5 Gbs required...
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 St
    Motherboard
    Asus STRIKER EXTREME 680I SLI
    Memory
    Corsair 4GB Kit (4x1GB) DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400 XMS2 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    Point Of View 8800GT 512MB GDD
    Sound Card
    Soundmax 5.1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 46"
    Screen Resolution
    1080P
    Hard Drives
    1x WD Raptor WD360ADFD 36GB SATA 10KRPM 16MB Cache
    1x WD Raptor WD740DFD 74GB SATA 10KRPM 16MB Cache
    PSU
    Coolermaster 600W
    Case
    Coolermaster nVidia
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooling Extreme
    Keyboard
    MS Wireless Entertainment Keyboard 7000
    Mouse
    MS Wireless Laser mouse 8000
    Internet Speed
    1.2mb & 10mb
I had nothing on C: until the other day when I cleared out my WER file, freed up 7gb, and I currently have 7gb free on my hard drive.

And yes, I've deleted Hibernation as well.
 

My Computer

System One

So the hard drive is cluttered up with other information. There's not much else one can do! It sounds to me your saying that you only have vista OS and 7Gb free on C: That would mean a drive of around 25Gb is this correct?
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 St
    Motherboard
    Asus STRIKER EXTREME 680I SLI
    Memory
    Corsair 4GB Kit (4x1GB) DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400 XMS2 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    Point Of View 8800GT 512MB GDD
    Sound Card
    Soundmax 5.1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 46"
    Screen Resolution
    1080P
    Hard Drives
    1x WD Raptor WD360ADFD 36GB SATA 10KRPM 16MB Cache
    1x WD Raptor WD740DFD 74GB SATA 10KRPM 16MB Cache
    PSU
    Coolermaster 600W
    Case
    Coolermaster nVidia
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooling Extreme
    Keyboard
    MS Wireless Entertainment Keyboard 7000
    Mouse
    MS Wireless Laser mouse 8000
    Internet Speed
    1.2mb & 10mb
What do you mean exactly. My whole HDD size is meant to be 103gb, but since about april last year I've gradually been losing about 1gb every month or so. I asked around loads of Vista sites and stuff but no one could pinpoints any problems. It's not malware and I'm sure it's not a virus.

So my last resort was to just cut my losses and reinstall Vista, something I have come to realise is nothing more than a further problem.
 

My Computer

System One

Hi Paul

Checkdisk should take minutes, not hours.

I would try deleting stuff from the HD , just right click and delete data you don't need - there must be lots of it, the o/s and installed apps. can't be more than 15gb at most.

Alternatively, if there's anything you desperately want to keep, copy to an external hd before deleting.

If you don't have an external hd, copy anything really essential to recordable dvd, before deleting.

Odd it is so full - you might right click each folder on your drive and select properties like this:

Properties2009-02-27_232912.jpg

Hope it helps

SIW2
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Vista
    CPU
    Intel E8400
    Motherboard
    ASRock1333-GLAN R2.0
    Memory
    4gb DDR2 800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nvidia 9500GT 1gb
  • Operating System
    win7/vista
    CPU
    intel i5-8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    ballistix 2x8gb 3200
Seriously I've been through it all and deleted everything I could have deleted. Ive also maually checked every folder and it certainly doesn't add up to 102GB, not even 5gb I don't think. There's something taking up my hd but I just don't know what it is.

Back on topic anyway, anyone know why my CD fails to get passed the loading stage?

[edit] Windows file= just over 8gb
 

My Computer

System One

PaulElmes said:
Back on topic anyway, anyone know why my CD fails to get passed the loading stage?
Click to expand...


There is 80Gbs of data that is no use on your hard drive..:geek:

Check where all that data might be!
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 St
    Motherboard
    Asus STRIKER EXTREME 680I SLI
    Memory
    Corsair 4GB Kit (4x1GB) DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400 XMS2 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    Point Of View 8800GT 512MB GDD
    Sound Card
    Soundmax 5.1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 46"
    Screen Resolution
    1080P
    Hard Drives
    1x WD Raptor WD360ADFD 36GB SATA 10KRPM 16MB Cache
    1x WD Raptor WD740DFD 74GB SATA 10KRPM 16MB Cache
    PSU
    Coolermaster 600W
    Case
    Coolermaster nVidia
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooling Extreme
    Keyboard
    MS Wireless Entertainment Keyboard 7000
    Mouse
    MS Wireless Laser mouse 8000
    Internet Speed
    1.2mb & 10mb
Yeah I did wonder if that was the problem, I was just wondering if someone else thought similarly.

I've done WinDirStat and found nothing abnormal, shall I do another one and post it in here?
 

My Computer

System One

No!
Hover over C: Files and it will tell you how many Gbs used Then go into the file with the largest amount of data and follow that process till you get to the point of no return. When there let us know what it is...
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 St
    Motherboard
    Asus STRIKER EXTREME 680I SLI
    Memory
    Corsair 4GB Kit (4x1GB) DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400 XMS2 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    Point Of View 8800GT 512MB GDD
    Sound Card
    Soundmax 5.1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 46"
    Screen Resolution
    1080P
    Hard Drives
    1x WD Raptor WD360ADFD 36GB SATA 10KRPM 16MB Cache
    1x WD Raptor WD740DFD 74GB SATA 10KRPM 16MB Cache
    PSU
    Coolermaster 600W
    Case
    Coolermaster nVidia
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooling Extreme
    Keyboard
    MS Wireless Entertainment Keyboard 7000
    Mouse
    MS Wireless Laser mouse 8000
    Internet Speed
    1.2mb & 10mb
Oh my days! I just done it, and the folder with the most memory consumption is a folder called $Recycle.Bin. The little graphic that comes with it shows that I've got 71gb of text files in this folder (abit like the WER folder)

What the hell? :S
 

My Computer

System One

Are you able to empty it?

If not, on your C drive, find "$Recycle.bin" folder and delete it with rt click Shift + Delete. Vista will make a fresh one on reboot.

Hope it helps

SIW2
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Operating System
    Vista
    CPU
    Intel E8400
    Motherboard
    ASRock1333-GLAN R2.0
    Memory
    4gb DDR2 800
    Graphics Card(s)
    nvidia 9500GT 1gb
  • Operating System
    win7/vista
    CPU
    intel i5-8400
    Motherboard
    gigabyte b365m ds3h
    Memory
    ballistix 2x8gb 3200
Top left hand corner on the Desktop screen is a waste paper Basket. Right click on it then chose explore. Everything you have ever deleted is in there. At the top of the page it says Empty recyle bin! Click on that if your sure that you need nothing in that bin. If you need to keep something right click on it and click on restore you will then find it where it originally was.

After you have emptied Recycle bin you will definitly have enough space to re-install or restore windows. Good luck and click on my scales next to my name at the top thanks...
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Built
    CPU
    Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 G0 St
    Motherboard
    Asus STRIKER EXTREME 680I SLI
    Memory
    Corsair 4GB Kit (4x1GB) DDR2 800MHz/PC2-6400 XMS2 Memory
    Graphics Card(s)
    Point Of View 8800GT 512MB GDD
    Sound Card
    Soundmax 5.1
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung 46"
    Screen Resolution
    1080P
    Hard Drives
    1x WD Raptor WD360ADFD 36GB SATA 10KRPM 16MB Cache
    1x WD Raptor WD740DFD 74GB SATA 10KRPM 16MB Cache
    PSU
    Coolermaster 600W
    Case
    Coolermaster nVidia
    Cooling
    Arctic Cooling Extreme
    Keyboard
    MS Wireless Entertainment Keyboard 7000
    Mouse
    MS Wireless Laser mouse 8000
    Internet Speed
    1.2mb & 10mb
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