Trying to Reformat...

Jase82 · 03-08-2009

Hi, I am trying to reformat my Compaq Presario r400 Laptop. I know the first step is to erase the existing hard drive. I start up my computer and right click "My Computer" and then get to where I should be able to delete a partition. When I right click to do so, the option to delete partition is blanked out. Therefore, I tried to set my BIOS to run discs upon start up. But when I do this, I get the same result as when it does not start on discs. When I try to setup Windows XP (via the disc) and when I try to delete my hardrive from there, it will not let me. It says something like this "Cannot delete this partition, this partition contains temporary setup files required by windows xp".

Am I in fact not starting up with my disc? How can I wipe my hard drive? Thanks

Sir Trews · 03-08-2009

Hey there Jase.

You are trying to do this within WIndows. It will not allow you to. Reset your BIOS settings to the norm for your system. The changes you made are not helping you.

The 'cannot delete" error you get is because Windows is still using those to run the system.

Do you have the XP disks available to be able to return the system to operating order? This will require a valid keycode to re-install.

Thanks for your patience

lair360 · 03-08-2009

Sir Trews correct. You'll need to boot with a windows XP CD and reformat your drive in there. But, doing it in Windows is not a good idea...

Jase82 · 03-08-2009

Originally Posted by Sir Trews

Hey there Jase.

You are trying to do this within WIndows. It will not allow you to. Reset your BIOS settings to the norm for your system. The changes you made are not helping you.

The 'cannot delete" error you get is because Windows is still using those to run the system.

Do you have the XP disks available to be able to return the system to operating order? This will require a valid keycode to re-install.

Thanks for your patience

Thanks for the post. Yes, I do have the XP and drivers disks. I do remember enter a code (I think I started up my computer, waited for it to go to my desktop, and put the xp disk in) After finishing everything it asked me to do, It restarted and I "Pressed any key to load from disk" but then it said I couldnt delete my existing hardrive, and I dont have space to install a new one. So, what can I do? How can I get it to not run windows so i can delete my current hardrive?

Thanks again

Jelly Bean · 03-08-2009

Hello Jase we could keep this simple.

Are you able to remove the internal hard drive and fit it as a slave in another computer.Then logon to that computer go to disk management and format the drive there as a storage slave drive.

Then power off the computer and refit the hard drive back into the origional computer set first boot device to CD rom put in XP CD save and exit.

When you are prompted the first time to press any key to boot from CD/DVD then you press any key.Any other time you are prompted to press any key to boot from CD/DVD you do NOT do it.You only press any key the first time you are prompted.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313348

It appears you have made possibly several sets of temp setup files.

Jase82 · 03-08-2009

Originally Posted by Jelly Bean

Hello Jase we could keep this simple.

Are you able to remove the internal hard drive and fit it as a slave in another computer.Then logon to that computer go to disk management and format the drive there as a storage slave drive.

Then power off the computer and refit the hard drive back into the origional computer set first boot device to CD rom put in XP CD save and exit.

When you are prompted the first time to press any key to boot from CD/DVD then you press any key.Any other time you are prompted to press any key to boot from CD/DVD you do NOT do it.You only press any key the first time you are prompted.

How to partition and format a hard disk by using Windows XP Setup program

It appears you have made possibly several sets of temp setup files.

No, I cant really take the hardrive out. The screws are on too tight.

Jelly Bean · 03-08-2009

Jase the screws should only be hand tight not over tightened.

Did you check out the link I posted?

03-08-2009	#1
Jase82 Bronze Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 31 PC Experience: Some Experience	Trying to Reformat... Hi, I am trying to reformat my Compaq Presario r400 Laptop. I know the first step is to erase the existing hard drive. I start up my computer and right click "My Computer" and then get to where I should be able to delete a partition. When I right click to do so, the option to delete partition is blanked out. Therefore, I tried to set my BIOS to run discs upon start up. But when I do this, I get the same result as when it does not start on discs. When I try to setup Windows XP (via the disc) and when I try to delete my hardrive from there, it will not let me. It says something like this "Cannot delete this partition, this partition contains temporary setup files required by windows xp". Am I in fact not starting up with my disc? How can I wipe my hard drive? Thanks

03-08-2009	#2
Sir Trews Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: West Coast.. you pick... Posts: 2,618 PC Experience: Back on the West side	Re: Trying to Reformat... Hey there Jase. You are trying to do this within WIndows. It will not allow you to. Reset your BIOS settings to the norm for your system. The changes you made are not helping you. The 'cannot delete" error you get is because Windows is still using those to run the system. Do you have the XP disks available to be able to return the system to operating order? This will require a valid keycode to re-install. Thanks for your patience __________________ Saesa omentien lle (Pleasure meeting you) ◊*Prework* ◊ *PC Specs ◊* *Da Rulez◊Donation!* ≈Toshiba≈GRC≈CCleaner≈WCG≈Memtest≈Speedfan≈**

03-08-2009	#3
lair360 Bronze Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 4 PC Experience: Professional Mechanic	Re: Trying to Reformat... Sir Trews correct. You'll need to boot with a windows XP CD and reformat your drive in there. But, doing it in Windows is not a good idea...

03-08-2009	#4
Jase82 Bronze Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 31 PC Experience: Some Experience	Re: Trying to Reformat... Originally Posted by Sir Trews Hey there Jase. You are trying to do this within WIndows. It will not allow you to. Reset your BIOS settings to the norm for your system. The changes you made are not helping you. The 'cannot delete" error you get is because Windows is still using those to run the system. Do you have the XP disks available to be able to return the system to operating order? This will require a valid keycode to re-install. Thanks for your patience Thanks for the post. Yes, I do have the XP and drivers disks. I do remember enter a code (I think I started up my computer, waited for it to go to my desktop, and put the xp disk in) After finishing everything it asked me to do, It restarted and I "Pressed any key to load from disk" but then it said I couldnt delete my existing hardrive, and I dont have space to install a new one. So, what can I do? How can I get it to not run windows so i can delete my current hardrive? Thanks again

03-08-2009	#5
Jelly Bean Stoooooopid Girl. Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Swansea Posts: 12,804 PC Experience: None.	Re: Trying to Reformat... Hello Jase we could keep this simple. Are you able to remove the internal hard drive and fit it as a slave in another computer.Then logon to that computer go to disk management and format the drive there as a storage slave drive. Then power off the computer and refit the hard drive back into the origional computer set first boot device to CD rom put in XP CD save and exit. When you are prompted the first time to press any key to boot from CD/DVD then you press any key.Any other time you are prompted to press any key to boot from CD/DVD you do NOT do it.You only press any key the first time you are prompted. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/313348 It appears you have made possibly several sets of temp setup files. __________________ Rwy'n ceisio fy ngorau.

03-08-2009	#7
Jelly Bean Stoooooopid Girl. Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Swansea Posts: 12,804 PC Experience: None.	Re: Trying to Reformat... Jase the screws should only be hand tight not over tightened. Did you check out the link I posted? __________________ Rwy'n ceisio fy ngorau.

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