Comments on How to Format a Hard Drive With Windows XP

I'm trying to format a used 160GB drive to use as a secondary storage drive. It has a 30GB partition, so I deleted the partition per these instructions in step 4 (very helpful article by the way). When I go to make a new partition to begin the formatting, it only allows me a maximum of 130GB for the new partition. Is there any way to recover the "lost" space to have my full 160GB of space?

I'm trying to format a used 160GB drive to use as a secondary storage drive. It has a 30GB partition, so I deleted the partition per these instructions in step 4 (very helpful article by the way). When I go to make a new partition to begin the formatting, it only allows me a maximum of 130GB for the new partition. Is there any way to recover the "lost" space to have my full 160GB of space?

I just went through the instructions after struggling for hours on MS's website(now 2am ), but to no avail, your advise was realy more than helpful, and at last I have XP re-installed. Thanks for the help.

I just went through the instructions after struggling for hours on MS's website(now 2am ), but to no avail, your advise was realy more than helpful, and at last I have XP re-installed. Thanks for the help.

I got to step 10 and it took ages, but now i'm getting a message a disk read error occurred press ctrl alt del to restart, i do that and it does nothing. at times i get the message no emulation? it'a a brand new hard drive. it picks it up in the bios.

I got to step 10 and it took ages, but now i'm getting a message a disk read error occurred press ctrl alt del to restart, i do that and it does nothing. at times i get the message no emulation? it'a a brand new hard drive. it picks it up in the bios.

I am trying to format my hard drive (unfortunately I came accross this article AFTER I attempted to format). It has been over 24 hours and the format is about halfway. I realise that this is WAY too long.. should I restart my computer and try again? Will this ruin my hard drive? Does anyone know why it might take so long? Thanks for your help. Cheers, Bec.

I am trying to format my hard drive (unfortunately I came accross this article AFTER I attempted to format). It has been over 24 hours and the format is about halfway. I realise that this is WAY too long.. should I restart my computer and try again? Will this ruin my hard drive? Does anyone know why it might take so long? Thanks for your help. Cheers, Bec.

Hi, I'm very very happy 4 this important writeup, i used it and it works quite fine. Thank u very much. SHEHU ABDULLAHI KANO NIGERIA

been trying to reformat my hdd, at the point of selecting delete partition, that is not an option where is available for me to do so. can i reformat my own hdd when i am using the hdd at the same time?

been trying to reformat my hdd, at the point of selecting delete partition, that is not an option where is available for me to do so. can i reformat my own hdd when i am using the hdd at the same time?

wonder how to format own hard drive after follow the procedures. tried right click but delete partition was not an option available for me

wonder how to format own hard drive after follow the procedures. tried right click but delete partition was not an option available for me

I want to partition my 80Gg Hard Drive to 40Gg, so i delete the old partition and then divided into two and i choose this C: Partition [NEW (RAW)]xxxxMB the question is where the hell the other 40Gg go????

What a great place. My father in-law's computer refused to go past the Windows loading screen. It is a Dell but when I called them they said that since it had been a gift to him his name wasn't listed and terminated the session.I reformatting using your instructions and he has his computer back. Thanks I know I will be using your site with my 3 Dell computers.

What a great place. My father in-law's computer refused to go past the Windows loading screen. It is a Dell but when I called them they said that since it had been a gift to him his name wasn't listed and terminated the session.I reformatting using your instructions and he has his computer back. Thanks I know I will be using your site with my 3 Dell computers.

Open> My computer> Right click your drive> choose format. End of story.

Open> My computer> Right click your drive> choose format. End of story.

My delete partition option is greyed out. Any suggestions on what to try next? Thanks

My delete partition option is greyed out. Any suggestions on what to try next? Thanks

Just a question.. Im wanting to reformat my computer to get rid off viruses - when u say u need to back up everything, is that including all the program files and windows files?? Im just a bit scared i dont save something im supposed to. Good article though

Just a question.. Im wanting to reformat my computer to get rid off viruses - when u say u need to back up everything, is that including all the program files and windows files?? Im just a bit scared i dont save something im supposed to. Good article though

I now have Unallocated 61.90 gb Backup D 4.41 GB NTFS System C 10 GB NTFS My problem is that I dont' have enough space for the system. I would like to merge it with the rest , i.e. 61.90 GB and just keep 4.41 gb as a partition. I can't seem to merge or delte the partitions except the one I created, 4.41 gb. Any suggestions?

This was a very helpful article, however, I experienced one additional step that was not covered, and that was the End License User Agreement. This screes came up and there were no easily identifiable directions on how to get past that screen. I was fortunate to hit the correct F key by chance, which the remaining directions were correct. Rich

This was a very helpful article, however, I experienced one additional step that was not covered, and that was the End License User Agreement. This screes came up and there were no easily identifiable directions on how to get past that screen. I was fortunate to hit the correct F key by chance, which the remaining directions were correct. Rich