Windows Vista Forums

Reinstalled Windows on Disk1 need help in Refomatting Disk0
  1. #1


    Boblink Guest

    Reinstalled Windows on Disk1 need help in Refomatting Disk0

    Hi, I have a Lenovo IdeaCentre K210 Desktop Vista HP system that came with a
    500G HD that I Partitioned to “C” (Windows), “D” (Data files) and “E”
    (Photos) drive.
    I recently purchased another 500G HD which was designated as Disk1 (the
    original HD was Disk0) and installed Vista HP on Disk1 and Partitioned the
    2nd HD (Disk1) to “F” (Vista HP), “G” (data files) and “H” (Photos) and
    thought that I could format/delete the “C”, “D” and “E” Partitions on Disk0
    and use that HD for future storage but it appears what I want to do is not
    something that I am able to do.
    I was able to delete Partitions “D” and “E” and Formatted “C” but not all
    of “C”, apparently there are some files on “C” (i.e. the original HD that
    contained Vista HP before I purchased the 2nd HD), that I am unable to erase
    / delete / format.
    As best as I can tell, “C” is 125.5MB with 107.8MB Used and 17.7MB Free and
    contains the following folders: $RECYCLE.BIN, BOOT, System Volume Information.

    My objective / what I would like to do is, delete or format EVERYTHING on
    “C” so that I will have 500G HD, Disk0 that I can use for additional storage.
    I also would like to change and/or re-label Disk0 to be Disk1 and Disk1 to
    be Disk0, since this is the disk that contains Vista HP and all my programs,
    apps, data files, photos,….



    I should alos add that the Lenovo system comes with an OEM copy of Windows
    so Repair is not an option

    Any help / advice / suggestions /… that you can offer would be greatly
    appreciated.
    Thank you,
    Bob



      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  2. #2


    DL Guest

    Re: Reinstalled Windows on Disk1 need help in Refomatting Disk0

    You did it wrong to start with, your origonal C is the boot drive, allthough
    you have installed Win on your other drive.
    No option but to either live with your configeration or start over by
    disconnect the origonal C, re install win on the new drive,by deleting all
    partitions & formatting, which will become C, play around with C & update
    win untill alls well, then reconnect the origonal drive and format it
    I suppose you must have had some reason for wanting to use the new drive as
    your C, boot drive & use the origonal as a slave
    PS It doesnt really make much sense to create partitions to store data, as
    if the drive fails so does your data

    "Boblink" <Boblink@xxxxxx> wrote in message
    news:82F820B6-E088-4965-B11A-0A0D736D9207@xxxxxx

    > Hi, I have a Lenovo IdeaCentre K210 Desktop Vista HP system that came with
    > a
    > 500G HD that I Partitioned to "C" (Windows), "D" (Data files) and "E"
    > (Photos) drive.
    > I recently purchased another 500G HD which was designated as Disk1 (the
    > original HD was Disk0) and installed Vista HP on Disk1 and Partitioned the
    > 2nd HD (Disk1) to "F" (Vista HP), "G" (data files) and "H" (Photos) and
    > thought that I could format/delete the "C", "D" and "E" Partitions on
    > Disk0
    > and use that HD for future storage but it appears what I want to do is not
    > something that I am able to do.
    > I was able to delete Partitions "D" and "E" and Formatted "C" but not all
    > of "C", apparently there are some files on "C" (i.e. the original HD that
    > contained Vista HP before I purchased the 2nd HD), that I am unable to
    > erase
    > / delete / format.
    > As best as I can tell, "C" is 125.5MB with 107.8MB Used and 17.7MB Free
    > and
    > contains the following folders: $RECYCLE.BIN, BOOT, System Volume
    > Information.
    >
    > My objective / what I would like to do is, delete or format EVERYTHING on
    > "C" so that I will have 500G HD, Disk0 that I can use for additional
    > storage.
    > I also would like to change and/or re-label Disk0 to be Disk1 and Disk1 to
    > be Disk0, since this is the disk that contains Vista HP and all my
    > programs,
    > apps, data files, photos,..
    >
    > I should alos add that the Lenovo system comes with an OEM copy of Windows
    > so Repair is not an option
    >
    > Any help / advice / suggestions /. that you can offer would be greatly
    > appreciated.
    > Thank you,
    > Bob
    >
    >


      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  3. #3


    Boblink Guest

    Reinstalled Windows on Disk1 need help in Refomatting Disk0

    Thanks for your reply DL, I would like to use the extra drive for Backup,
    that is another place to store my data files and photos in case the 1st HD
    fails. I also will store the Norton Ghost images on this drive with the
    assumption that the chances of both HD failing at the same time is remote.

    And as far as where I am, I rather not reinstall Windows again since I have
    a LOT of software programs and it is a pain in the &^%$ so I would rather
    avoid it.

    Unfortunately I should have asked for advice before I began but I didn't and
    I believe that you are telling me that their is nothing that I can do to
    correct this configuration and have to live with a "blank" Disk0 except for
    the Windows boot files.

    But if I understand you correctly, I might be open to a oroblem if EITHER HD
    fails since Vista is installed on Disk1 and the accompanying Windows boot
    files are on Disk0 so the drives are not independent but are dependent on
    each other (so if one fails, the system will not start up)?

    Is this correct, if so I may have to bite the bullet and reinstall Vista and
    reformat the drives (per your suggestions).

    Thank you,
    Bob
    P.S.- if I do this, I think I'll wait for W7 to be released so that I will
    only have to update one set of drivers

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  4. #4


    Richard Urban Guest

    Re: Reinstalled Windows on Disk1 need help in Refomatting Disk0

    The operating system fails, or is infected to the point where it must be
    reinstalled, a lot more frequently than a hard drive fails. That is the
    reason for keeping your data on another partition - even if it is on the
    same drive.

    About every 2 weeks I have to go back to a previous image of the operating
    system because some program I am testing does things to the O/S that can not
    be recovered from. My data has been intact since 1992 doing it this way. Of
    course I also back up my data to an external drive for safe keeping, in case
    the drive actually does go bad.

    --

    Richard Urban
    Microsoft MVP
    Windows Desktop Experience


    "DL" <notvalid@xxxxxx> wrote in message
    news:uJu2nynGKHA.4732@xxxxxx

    > You did it wrong to start with, your origonal C is the boot drive,
    > allthough you have installed Win on your other drive.
    > No option but to either live with your configeration or start over by
    > disconnect the origonal C, re install win on the new drive,by deleting all
    > partitions & formatting, which will become C, play around with C & update
    > win untill alls well, then reconnect the origonal drive and format it
    > I suppose you must have had some reason for wanting to use the new drive
    > as your C, boot drive & use the origonal as a slave
    > PS It doesnt really make much sense to create partitions to store data, as
    > if the drive fails so does your data
    >
    > "Boblink" <Boblink@xxxxxx> wrote in message
    > news:82F820B6-E088-4965-B11A-0A0D736D9207@xxxxxx

    >> Hi, I have a Lenovo IdeaCentre K210 Desktop Vista HP system that came
    >> with a
    >> 500G HD that I Partitioned to "C" (Windows), "D" (Data files) and "E"
    >> (Photos) drive.
    >> I recently purchased another 500G HD which was designated as Disk1 (the
    >> original HD was Disk0) and installed Vista HP on Disk1 and Partitioned
    >> the
    >> 2nd HD (Disk1) to "F" (Vista HP), "G" (data files) and "H" (Photos) and
    >> thought that I could format/delete the "C", "D" and "E" Partitions on
    >> Disk0
    >> and use that HD for future storage but it appears what I want to do is
    >> not
    >> something that I am able to do.
    >> I was able to delete Partitions "D" and "E" and Formatted "C" but not
    >> all
    >> of "C", apparently there are some files on "C" (i.e. the original HD that
    >> contained Vista HP before I purchased the 2nd HD), that I am unable to
    >> erase
    >> / delete / format.
    >> As best as I can tell, "C" is 125.5MB with 107.8MB Used and 17.7MB Free
    >> and
    >> contains the following folders: $RECYCLE.BIN, BOOT, System Volume
    >> Information.
    >>
    >> My objective / what I would like to do is, delete or format EVERYTHING
    >> on
    >> "C" so that I will have 500G HD, Disk0 that I can use for additional
    >> storage.
    >> I also would like to change and/or re-label Disk0 to be Disk1 and Disk1
    >> to
    >> be Disk0, since this is the disk that contains Vista HP and all my
    >> programs,
    >> apps, data files, photos,..
    >>
    >> I should alos add that the Lenovo system comes with an OEM copy of
    >> Windows
    >> so Repair is not an option
    >>
    >> Any help / advice / suggestions /. that you can offer would be greatly
    >> appreciated.
    >> Thank you,
    >> Bob
    >>
    >>
    >
    >

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  5. #5


    DL Guest

    Re: Reinstalled Windows on Disk1 need help in Refomatting Disk0

    If your OEM copy of vista doesnt allow you to repair a vista installation,
    then the only real option is to start from scratch

    "Boblink" <Boblink@xxxxxx> wrote in message
    news:0222D481-2F01-487D-B308-C5F06A014EAB@xxxxxx

    > Thanks for your reply DL, I would like to use the extra drive for Backup,
    > that is another place to store my data files and photos in case the 1st HD
    > fails. I also will store the Norton Ghost images on this drive with the
    > assumption that the chances of both HD failing at the same time is remote.
    >
    > And as far as where I am, I rather not reinstall Windows again since I
    > have
    > a LOT of software programs and it is a pain in the &^%$ so I would rather
    > avoid it.
    >
    > Unfortunately I should have asked for advice before I began but I didn't
    > and
    > I believe that you are telling me that their is nothing that I can do to
    > correct this configuration and have to live with a "blank" Disk0 except
    > for
    > the Windows boot files.
    >
    > But if I understand you correctly, I might be open to a oroblem if EITHER
    > HD
    > fails since Vista is installed on Disk1 and the accompanying Windows boot
    > files are on Disk0 so the drives are not independent but are dependent on
    > each other (so if one fails, the system will not start up)?
    >
    > Is this correct, if so I may have to bite the bullet and reinstall Vista
    > and
    > reformat the drives (per your suggestions).
    >
    > Thank you,
    > Bob
    > P.S.- if I do this, I think I'll wait for W7 to be released so that I will
    > only have to update one set of drivers


      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  6. #6


    DL Guest

    Re: Reinstalled Windows on Disk1 need help in Refomatting Disk0

    If you have an oem copy that doesn't have any repair facility..........., or
    only a recovery disk.........
    Using a sys for testing, as you do is a different scenario.
    In 15+ years use of win2k, winxp and some Vista on PC's that run 24/7 I've
    never experienced an infected sys or corrupt sys file, despite going places
    I should'nt, I have however experienced a number of disk and mobo failures.
    And no I've never - touch wood - lost any data as I have multiple backups in
    seperate places

    "Richard Urban" <richardurbanREMOVETHIS@xxxxxx> wrote in message
    news:O3f5EFoGKHA.3888@xxxxxx

    > The operating system fails, or is infected to the point where it must be
    > reinstalled, a lot more frequently than a hard drive fails. That is the
    > reason for keeping your data on another partition - even if it is on the
    > same drive.
    >
    > About every 2 weeks I have to go back to a previous image of the operating
    > system because some program I am testing does things to the O/S that can
    > not be recovered from. My data has been intact since 1992 doing it this
    > way. Of course I also back up my data to an external drive for safe
    > keeping, in case the drive actually does go bad.
    >
    > --
    >
    > Richard Urban
    > Microsoft MVP
    > Windows Desktop Experience
    >
    >
    > "DL" <notvalid@xxxxxx> wrote in message
    > news:uJu2nynGKHA.4732@xxxxxx

    >> You did it wrong to start with, your origonal C is the boot drive,
    >> allthough you have installed Win on your other drive.
    >> No option but to either live with your configeration or start over by
    >> disconnect the origonal C, re install win on the new drive,by deleting
    >> all partitions & formatting, which will become C, play around with C &
    >> update win untill alls well, then reconnect the origonal drive and format
    >> it
    >> I suppose you must have had some reason for wanting to use the new drive
    >> as your C, boot drive & use the origonal as a slave
    >> PS It doesnt really make much sense to create partitions to store data,
    >> as if the drive fails so does your data
    >>
    >> "Boblink" <Boblink@xxxxxx> wrote in message
    >> news:82F820B6-E088-4965-B11A-0A0D736D9207@xxxxxx

    >>> Hi, I have a Lenovo IdeaCentre K210 Desktop Vista HP system that came
    >>> with a
    >>> 500G HD that I Partitioned to "C" (Windows), "D" (Data files) and "E"
    >>> (Photos) drive.
    >>> I recently purchased another 500G HD which was designated as Disk1 (the
    >>> original HD was Disk0) and installed Vista HP on Disk1 and Partitioned
    >>> the
    >>> 2nd HD (Disk1) to "F" (Vista HP), "G" (data files) and "H" (Photos) and
    >>> thought that I could format/delete the "C", "D" and "E" Partitions on
    >>> Disk0
    >>> and use that HD for future storage but it appears what I want to do is
    >>> not
    >>> something that I am able to do.
    >>> I was able to delete Partitions "D" and "E" and Formatted "C" but not
    >>> all
    >>> of "C", apparently there are some files on "C" (i.e. the original HD
    >>> that
    >>> contained Vista HP before I purchased the 2nd HD), that I am unable to
    >>> erase
    >>> / delete / format.
    >>> As best as I can tell, "C" is 125.5MB with 107.8MB Used and 17.7MB Free
    >>> and
    >>> contains the following folders: $RECYCLE.BIN, BOOT, System Volume
    >>> Information.
    >>>
    >>> My objective / what I would like to do is, delete or format EVERYTHING
    >>> on
    >>> "C" so that I will have 500G HD, Disk0 that I can use for additional
    >>> storage.
    >>> I also would like to change and/or re-label Disk0 to be Disk1 and Disk1
    >>> to
    >>> be Disk0, since this is the disk that contains Vista HP and all my
    >>> programs,
    >>> apps, data files, photos,..
    >>>
    >>> I should alos add that the Lenovo system comes with an OEM copy of
    >>> Windows
    >>> so Repair is not an option
    >>>
    >>> Any help / advice / suggestions /. that you can offer would be greatly
    >>> appreciated.
    >>> Thank you,
    >>> Bob
    >>>
    >>>
    >>
    >>
    >


      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  7. #7


    Boblink Guest

    Reinstalled Windows on Disk1 need help in Refomatting Disk0

    Thanks DL, if this the case and no one comes up with a better option, I'll
    wait for my copy of W7 (that I already ordered) to arrive .
    Since this will be an upgrade OS, I should be able to access the W7 Repair
    menu, if not I'll probably remove Disk0 (the one that I want to reformat)
    and install W7 on top of Vista in Disk1 and then place Disk0 back in the
    system and reformat it using W7. But I am hoping for someone to come up with
    another option so that I don't have to wait another 2 months.
    Thanks, Bob

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  8. #8


    DL Guest

    Re: Reinstalled Windows on Disk1 need help in Refomatting Disk0

    If you upgrade to Win7 in your current configeration I would expect it to
    remain as it is, ie Win7 will be installed on a drive other than C

    "Boblink" <Boblink@xxxxxx> wrote in message
    news:B1C2D2D6-4955-4995-B98B-CC47393BAE27@xxxxxx

    > Thanks DL, if this the case and no one comes up with a better option, I'll
    > wait for my copy of W7 (that I already ordered) to arrive .
    > Since this will be an upgrade OS, I should be able to access the W7
    > Repair
    > menu, if not I'll probably remove Disk0 (the one that I want to reformat)
    > and install W7 on top of Vista in Disk1 and then place Disk0 back in the
    > system and reformat it using W7. But I am hoping for someone to come up
    > with
    > another option so that I don't have to wait another 2 months.
    > Thanks, Bob


      My System SpecsSystem Spec

  9. #9


    Boblink Guest

    Reinstalled Windows on Disk1 need help in Refomatting Disk0

    Hi DL, after "playing around" with the configurations a little more, I now
    have a "C" with Vista, a "D" (which is the "old "C" and has the assorted
    Windows boot files), "G" (data files), "H" (Photos), "I" (Ghost BackUp
    images) and "P" and "Q" (the "additional" HD that are both FREE with
    slightly,less than 500G).

    So in the current configuration, I would like to Delete or Reformat "D" that
    is 125MB in size and re-label Disk0 to Disk1 and Disk1 to Disk0.

    Thanks,
    Bob

      My System SpecsSystem Spec

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