Format with Recovery console

Daniel · External Since: Apr 15, 2010 Posts: 1

Hi

when using recovery console what do I type to format the C drive to the NTFS
file system?

thanks

Daniel

DL · External Since: Apr 02, 2010 Posts: 13

Assuming you are accessing the console via a winxp cd, why not delete &
format using the tools provided?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058

"Daniel" wrote in message

> Hi
>
> when using recovery console what do I type to format the C drive to the
> NTFS file system?
>
> thanks
>
> Daniel

Pegasus [MVP] · External Since: Mar 16, 2009 Posts: 172

"Daniel" wrote in message

> Hi
>
> when using recovery console what do I type to format the C drive to the
> NTFS file system?
>
> thanks
>
> Daniel

Just boot the machine with your WinXP installation CD, then follow the
prompts.

Ken Blake MVP · External Since: Feb 19, 2004 Posts: 7387

On Thu, 15 Apr 2010 16:00:34 +1000, "Daniel"
wrote:

> when using recovery console what do I type to format the C drive to the NTFS
> file system?

Why do you want to format the C: drive? Is your intent to reinstall
Windows?

If that's your intent, don't try to do it that way. Simply boot from
the XP CD and follow the prompts for a clean installation. It will do
the format for you as the first step of the installation.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
Please Reply to the Newsgroup

db · External Since: May 03, 2009 Posts: 62

if the disk already has
windows installed

you can simply convert
it to ntfs without formatting
and reinstalling the o.s.

--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- Microsoft Partner
-
~~~~~~~~~~"share the nirvana" - dbZen

>
>

"Daniel" wrote in message
> Hi
>
> when using recovery console what do I type to format the C drive to the NTFS file system?
>
> thanks
>
> Daniel

Daniel · External Since: Jul 13, 2007 Posts: 18

To all

the hard drive has lost it's file allocation and the CD does not recognise
it as valid
and will not install to it.

But recovery consol does see it and will format it but I do not know what
FAT it will format to.

Thanks

Daniel
"db" <databaseben at hotmail dot com> wrote in message

> if the disk already has
> windows installed
>
> you can simply convert
> it to ntfs without formatting
> and reinstalling the o.s.
>
> --
>
> db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
> DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
> - Systems Analyst
> - Database Developer
> - Accountancy
> - Veteran of the Armed Forces
> - Microsoft Partner
> -
> ~~~~~~~~~~"share the nirvana" - dbZen
>
>>
>>
>
> "Daniel" wrote in message
>
>> Hi
>>
>> when using recovery console what do I type to format the C drive to the
>> NTFS file system?
>>
>> thanks
>>
>> Daniel
>
>

Pegasus [MVP] · External Since: Mar 16, 2009 Posts: 172

If the WinXP installation CD does not recognise your hard disk then it
either requires a proprietary driver or else it is defective. You should
download and run the diagnostic program that its manufacturer has on his web
site.

"Daniel" wrote in message

> To all
>
> the hard drive has lost it's file allocation and the CD does not recognise
> it as valid
> and will not install to it.
>
> But recovery consol does see it and will format it but I do not know what
> FAT it will format to.
>
> Thanks
>
> Daniel
> "db" <databaseben at hotmail dot com> wrote in message
>
>> if the disk already has
>> windows installed
>>
>> you can simply convert
>> it to ntfs without formatting
>> and reinstalling the o.s.
>>
>> --
>>
>> db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
>> DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
>> - Systems Analyst
>> - Database Developer
>> - Accountancy
>> - Veteran of the Armed Forces
>> - Microsoft Partner
>> -
>> ~~~~~~~~~~"share the nirvana" - dbZen
>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>> "Daniel" wrote in message
>>
>>> Hi
>>>
>>> when using recovery console what do I type to format the C drive to the
>>> NTFS file system?
>>>
>>> thanks
>>>
>>> Daniel
>>
>>

Daniel · External Since: Jul 13, 2007 Posts: 18

Sometimes the file allocation or system is corrupted and windows cannot see
it, the fact that
recovery consol sees it indicates that it is not necessarily a defective
disk.

I have had this happen before on my PC and all I had to do was format the
disk in dos
and reinstall windows, that Hard Drive is still working 5 years later.

cheers

Daniel

"Pegasus [MVP]" wrote in message

> If the WinXP installation CD does not recognise your hard disk then it
> either requires a proprietary driver or else it is defective. You should
> download and run the diagnostic program that its manufacturer has on his
> web site.
>
> "Daniel" wrote in message
>
>> To all
>>
>> the hard drive has lost it's file allocation and the CD does not
>> recognise it as valid
>> and will not install to it.
>>
>> But recovery consol does see it and will format it but I do not know what
>> FAT it will format to.
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Daniel
>> "db" <databaseben at hotmail dot com> wrote in message
>>
>>> if the disk already has
>>> windows installed
>>>
>>> you can simply convert
>>> it to ntfs without formatting
>>> and reinstalling the o.s.
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>> db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
>>> DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
>>> - Systems Analyst
>>> - Database Developer
>>> - Accountancy
>>> - Veteran of the Armed Forces
>>> - Microsoft Partner
>>> -
>>> ~~~~~~~~~~"share the nirvana" - dbZen
>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> "Daniel" wrote in message
>>>
>>>> Hi
>>>>
>>>> when using recovery console what do I type to format the C drive to the
>>>> NTFS file system?
>>>>
>>>> thanks
>>>>
>>>> Daniel
>>>
>>>
>

Daave · External Since: May 06, 2009 Posts: 185

Listen to Pegasus; he knows what he is talking about.

The fact of the matter is hard drives can and do go bad. The only way to
know for sure is run a diagnostic. You can download what you need to
make a bootable diagnostic CD or floppy from the drive manufacturer's
Web site. You may even use HDAT2 to determine and repair bad sectors (if
that's the only issue):

http://www.hdat2.com/

What is the make and model of your hard drive?

Furtermore, you're not using Windows 98, so there is no need to use a
floppy with MS-DOS to fdisk the hard drive. The XP installation CD is
bootable (make sure you configure the PC to boot off the CD!) and
contains everything needed to format the hard drive.

For detailed directions for a Clean Install, see:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

Good luck!

Daniel wrote:
> Sometimes the file allocation or system is corrupted and windows
> cannot see it, the fact that
> recovery consol sees it indicates that it is not necessarily a
> defective disk.
>
> I have had this happen before on my PC and all I had to do was format
> the disk in dos
> and reinstall windows, that Hard Drive is still working 5 years later.
>
> cheers
>
> Daniel
>
> "Pegasus [MVP]" wrote in message
>
>> If the WinXP installation CD does not recognise your hard disk then
>> it either requires a proprietary driver or else it is defective. You
>> should download and run the diagnostic program that its manufacturer
>> has on his web site.
>>
>> "Daniel" wrote in message
>>
>>> To all
>>>
>>> the hard drive has lost it's file allocation and the CD does not
>>> recognise it as valid
>>> and will not install to it.
>>>
>>> But recovery consol does see it and will format it but I do not
>>> know what FAT it will format to.
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>>
>>> Daniel
>>> "db" <databaseben at hotmail dot com> wrote in message
>>>
>>>> if the disk already has
>>>> windows installed
>>>>
>>>> you can simply convert
>>>> it to ntfs without formatting
>>>> and reinstalling the o.s.
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>>
>>>> db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
>>>> DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
>>>> - Systems Analyst
>>>> - Database Developer
>>>> - Accountancy
>>>> - Veteran of the Armed Forces
>>>> - Microsoft Partner
>>>> -
>>>> ~~~~~~~~~~"share the nirvana" - dbZen
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Daniel" wrote in message
>>>>
>>>>> Hi
>>>>>
>>>>> when using recovery console what do I type to format the C drive
>>>>> to the NTFS file system?
>>>>>
>>>>> thanks
>>>>>
>>>>> Daniel

John John - MVP · External Since: Mar 06, 2009 Posts: 56

If the Recovery Console can see the disk then the Windows setup program
(the XP CD) will also see it and it will be able to format the drive.
As a matter of fact if the Setup program cannot see the disk then the
Recovery Console will also not be able to see it. There is absolutely
no need whatsoever to resort to DOS to format drives for Windows XP
installations!

John

Daniel wrote:
> Sometimes the file allocation or system is corrupted and windows cannot
> see it, the fact that
> recovery consol sees it indicates that it is not necessarily a defective
> disk.
>
> I have had this happen before on my PC and all I had to do was format
> the disk in dos
> and reinstall windows, that Hard Drive is still working 5 years later.
>
> cheers
>
> Daniel
>
> "Pegasus [MVP]" wrote in message
>
>> If the WinXP installation CD does not recognise your hard disk then it
>> either requires a proprietary driver or else it is defective. You
>> should download and run the diagnostic program that its manufacturer
>> has on his web site.
>>
>> "Daniel" wrote in message
>>
>>> To all
>>>
>>> the hard drive has lost it's file allocation and the CD does not
>>> recognise it as valid
>>> and will not install to it.
>>>
>>> But recovery consol does see it and will format it but I do not know
>>> what FAT it will format to.
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>>
>>> Daniel
>>> "db" <databaseben at hotmail dot com> wrote in message
>>>
>>>> if the disk already has
>>>> windows installed
>>>>
>>>> you can simply convert
>>>> it to ntfs without formatting
>>>> and reinstalling the o.s.
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>>
>>>> db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
>>>> DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
>>>> - Systems Analyst
>>>> - Database Developer
>>>> - Accountancy
>>>> - Veteran of the Armed Forces
>>>> - Microsoft Partner
>>>> -
>>>> ~~~~~~~~~~"share the nirvana" - dbZen
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Daniel" wrote in message
>>>>
>>>>> Hi
>>>>>
>>>>> when using recovery console what do I type to format the C drive to
>>>>> the NTFS file system?
>>>>>
>>>>> thanks
>>>>>
>>>>> Daniel
>>>>
>>>>
>>

db · External Since: May 03, 2009 Posts: 62

there are a number of
reasons as to why the
disk becomes dysfunctional.

perhaps, there is a change
in the bios

perhaps, the drive connectors
have wobble loose

perhaps, the file system crashed

perhaps, the drive is no longer
reliable

so the question is if you can
actually get to a disk prompt
via recovery console.

however, if you have nothing
to loose then I would simply
follow the recommendations
by others and

simply stick the xp into
the drive and commence
an install of the o.s.

btw: don't forget to change
the bios settings so that the
machine will boot from the
cd drive and boot with the
xp cd.
--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces
- Microsoft Partner
-
~~~~~~~~~~"share the nirvana" - dbZen

>
>

"Daniel" wrote in message
> To all
>
> the hard drive has lost it's file allocation and the CD does not recognise it as valid
> and will not install to it.
>
> But recovery consol does see it and will format it but I do not know what FAT it will format to.
>
> Thanks
>
> Daniel
> "db" <databaseben at hotmail dot com> wrote in message
>> if the disk already has
>> windows installed
>>
>> you can simply convert
>> it to ntfs without formatting
>> and reinstalling the o.s.
>>
>> --
>>
>> db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
>> DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
>> - Systems Analyst
>> - Database Developer
>> - Accountancy
>> - Veteran of the Armed Forces
>> - Microsoft Partner
>> -
>> ~~~~~~~~~~"share the nirvana" - dbZen
>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>> "Daniel" wrote in message
>>> Hi
>>>
>>> when using recovery console what do I type to format the C drive to the NTFS file system?
>>>
>>> thanks
>>>
>>> Daniel
>>
>>

choro · External Since: Oct 09, 2009 Posts: 11

db wrote:
> there are a number of
> reasons as to why the
> dick becomes dysfunctional.

And what might those be,
if I might be bold enough
to ask? Wink

Daniel · External Since: Jul 13, 2007 Posts: 18

Thanks

"John John - MVP" wrote in message

> If the Recovery Console can see the disk then the Windows setup program
> (the XP CD) will also see it and it will be able to format the drive. As a
> matter of fact if the Setup program cannot see the disk then the Recovery
> Console will also not be able to see it. There is absolutely no need
> whatsoever to resort to DOS to format drives for Windows XP installations!
>
> John
>
> Daniel wrote:
>> Sometimes the file allocation or system is corrupted and windows cannot
>> see it, the fact that
>> recovery consol sees it indicates that it is not necessarily a defective
>> disk.
>>
>> I have had this happen before on my PC and all I had to do was format the
>> disk in dos
>> and reinstall windows, that Hard Drive is still working 5 years later.
>>
>> cheers
>>
>> Daniel
>>
>> "Pegasus [MVP]" wrote in message
>>
>>> If the WinXP installation CD does not recognise your hard disk then it
>>> either requires a proprietary driver or else it is defective. You should
>>> download and run the diagnostic program that its manufacturer has on his
>>> web site.
>>>
>>> "Daniel" wrote in message
>>>
>>>> To all
>>>>
>>>> the hard drive has lost it's file allocation and the CD does not
>>>> recognise it as valid
>>>> and will not install to it.
>>>>
>>>> But recovery consol does see it and will format it but I do not know
>>>> what FAT it will format to.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks
>>>>
>>>> Daniel
>>>> "db" <databaseben at hotmail dot com> wrote in message
>>>>
>>>>> if the disk already has
>>>>> windows installed
>>>>>
>>>>> you can simply convert
>>>>> it to ntfs without formatting
>>>>> and reinstalling the o.s.
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>>
>>>>> db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
>>>>> DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
>>>>> - Systems Analyst
>>>>> - Database Developer
>>>>> - Accountancy
>>>>> - Veteran of the Armed Forces
>>>>> - Microsoft Partner
>>>>> -
>>>>> ~~~~~~~~~~"share the nirvana" - dbZen
>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> "Daniel" wrote in message
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi
>>>>>>
>>>>>> when using recovery console what do I type to format the C drive to
>>>>>> the NTFS file system?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> thanks
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Daniel
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>
>

Daniel · External Since: Jul 13, 2007 Posts: 18

But in the end the question was....
"when using recovery console what do I type to format the C drive to the
NTFS file system"

I have now resolved the issue in another way and the disk is 100% okay.

cheers

Daniel

"db" <databaseben at hotmail dot com> wrote in message

> there are a number of
> reasons as to why the
> disk becomes dysfunctional.
>
> perhaps, there is a change
> in the bios
>
> perhaps, the drive connectors
> have wobble loose
>
> perhaps, the file system crashed
>
> perhaps, the drive is no longer
> reliable
>
> so the question is if you can
> actually get to a disk prompt
> via recovery console.
>
> however, if you have nothing
> to loose then I would simply
> follow the recommendations
> by others and
>
> simply stick the xp into
> the drive and commence
> an install of the o.s.
>
> btw: don't forget to change
> the bios settings so that the
> machine will boot from the
> cd drive and boot with the
> xp cd.
> --
>
> db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
> DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
> - Systems Analyst
> - Database Developer
> - Accountancy
> - Veteran of the Armed Forces
> - Microsoft Partner
> -
> ~~~~~~~~~~"share the nirvana" - dbZen
>
>>
>>
>
> "Daniel" wrote in message
>
>> To all
>>
>> the hard drive has lost it's file allocation and the CD does not
>> recognise it as valid
>> and will not install to it.
>>
>> But recovery consol does see it and will format it but I do not know what
>> FAT it will format to.
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> Daniel
>> "db" <databaseben at hotmail dot com> wrote in message
>>
>>> if the disk already has
>>> windows installed
>>>
>>> you can simply convert
>>> it to ntfs without formatting
>>> and reinstalling the o.s.
>>>
>>> --
>>>
>>> db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
>>> DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
>>> - Systems Analyst
>>> - Database Developer
>>> - Accountancy
>>> - Veteran of the Armed Forces
>>> - Microsoft Partner
>>> -
>>> ~~~~~~~~~~"share the nirvana" - dbZen
>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> "Daniel" wrote in message
>>>
>>>> Hi
>>>>
>>>> when using recovery console what do I type to format the C drive to the
>>>> NTFS file system?
>>>>
>>>> thanks
>>>>
>>>> Daniel
>>>
>>>
>

John John - MVP · External Since: May 02, 2009 Posts: 116

You type the following, where x: is the drive letter:

format x: /fs:ntfs

The help screens would have given you this information.
For help in the recovery console type HELP.
For help on any command type help Command-Name or Command-Name /?, for
example:

help format
format /?

John

Daniel wrote:
> But in the end the question was....
> "when using recovery console what do I type to format the C drive to the
> NTFS file system"
>
> I have now resolved the issue in another way and the disk is 100% okay.
>
> cheers
>
> Daniel
>
> "db" <databaseben at hotmail dot com> wrote in message
>
>> there are a number of
>> reasons as to why the
>> disk becomes dysfunctional.
>>
>> perhaps, there is a change
>> in the bios
>>
>> perhaps, the drive connectors
>> have wobble loose
>>
>> perhaps, the file system crashed
>>
>> perhaps, the drive is no longer
>> reliable
>>
>> so the question is if you can
>> actually get to a disk prompt
>> via recovery console.
>>
>> however, if you have nothing
>> to loose then I would simply
>> follow the recommendations
>> by others and
>>
>> simply stick the xp into
>> the drive and commence
>> an install of the o.s.
>>
>> btw: don't forget to change
>> the bios settings so that the
>> machine will boot from the
>> cd drive and boot with the
>> xp cd.
>> --
>>
>> db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
>> DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
>> - Systems Analyst
>> - Database Developer
>> - Accountancy
>> - Veteran of the Armed Forces
>> - Microsoft Partner
>> -
>> ~~~~~~~~~~"share the nirvana" - dbZen
>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>> "Daniel" wrote in message
>>
>>> To all
>>>
>>> the hard drive has lost it's file allocation and the CD does not
>>> recognise it as valid
>>> and will not install to it.
>>>
>>> But recovery consol does see it and will format it but I do not know
>>> what FAT it will format to.
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>>
>>> Daniel
>>> "db" <databaseben at hotmail dot com> wrote in message
>>>
>>>> if the disk already has
>>>> windows installed
>>>>
>>>> you can simply convert
>>>> it to ntfs without formatting
>>>> and reinstalling the o.s.
>>>>
>>>> --
>>>>
>>>> db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
>>>> DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
>>>> - Systems Analyst
>>>> - Database Developer
>>>> - Accountancy
>>>> - Veteran of the Armed Forces
>>>> - Microsoft Partner
>>>> -
>>>> ~~~~~~~~~~"share the nirvana" - dbZen
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Daniel" wrote in message
>>>>
>>>>> Hi
>>>>>
>>>>> when using recovery console what do I type to format the C drive to
>>>>> the NTFS file system?
>>>>>
>>>>> thanks
>>>>>
>>>>> Daniel
>>>>
>>>>
>>

Daniel · External Since: Jul 13, 2007 Posts: 18

John

good info, thanks for that.

cheers

Daniel

"John John - MVP" wrote in message

> You type the following, where x: is the drive letter:
>
> format x: /fs:ntfs
>
> The help screens would have given you this information.
> For help in the recovery console type HELP.
> For help on any command type help Command-Name or Command-Name /?, for
> example:
>
> help format
> format /?
>
> John
>
> Daniel wrote:
>> But in the end the question was....
>> "when using recovery console what do I type to format the C drive to the
>> NTFS file system"
>>
>> I have now resolved the issue in another way and the disk is 100% okay.
>>
>> cheers
>>
>> Daniel
>>
>> "db" <databaseben at hotmail dot com> wrote in message
>>
>>> there are a number of
>>> reasons as to why the
>>> disk becomes dysfunctional.
>>>
>>> perhaps, there is a change
>>> in the bios
>>>
>>> perhaps, the drive connectors
>>> have wobble loose
>>>
>>> perhaps, the file system crashed
>>>
>>> perhaps, the drive is no longer
>>> reliable
>>>
>>> so the question is if you can
>>> actually get to a disk prompt
>>> via recovery console.
>>>
>>> however, if you have nothing
>>> to loose then I would simply
>>> follow the recommendations
>>> by others and
>>>
>>> simply stick the xp into
>>> the drive and commence
>>> an install of the o.s.
>>>
>>> btw: don't forget to change
>>> the bios settings so that the
>>> machine will boot from the
>>> cd drive and boot with the
>>> xp cd.
>>> --
>>>
>>> db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
>>> DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
>>> - Systems Analyst
>>> - Database Developer
>>> - Accountancy
>>> - Veteran of the Armed Forces
>>> - Microsoft Partner
>>> -
>>> ~~~~~~~~~~"share the nirvana" - dbZen
>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> "Daniel" wrote in message
>>>
>>>> To all
>>>>
>>>> the hard drive has lost it's file allocation and the CD does not
>>>> recognise it as valid
>>>> and will not install to it.
>>>>
>>>> But recovery consol does see it and will format it but I do not know
>>>> what FAT it will format to.
>>>>
>>>> Thanks
>>>>
>>>> Daniel
>>>> "db" <databaseben at hotmail dot com> wrote in message
>>>>
>>>>> if the disk already has
>>>>> windows installed
>>>>>
>>>>> you can simply convert
>>>>> it to ntfs without formatting
>>>>> and reinstalling the o.s.
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>>
>>>>> db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
>>>>> DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
>>>>> - Systems Analyst
>>>>> - Database Developer
>>>>> - Accountancy
>>>>> - Veteran of the Armed Forces
>>>>> - Microsoft Partner
>>>>> -
>>>>> ~~~~~~~~~~"share the nirvana" - dbZen
>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> "Daniel" wrote in message
>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi
>>>>>>
>>>>>> when using recovery console what do I type to format the C drive to
>>>>>> the NTFS file system?
>>>>>>
>>>>>> thanks
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Daniel
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>
>

John John - MVP · External Since: May 02, 2009 Posts: 116

You're welcome.

John

Daniel wrote:
> John
>
> good info, thanks for that.
>
> cheers
>
> Daniel
>
> "John John - MVP" wrote in message
>
>> You type the following, where x: is the drive letter:
>>
>> format x: /fs:ntfs
>>
>> The help screens would have given you this information.
>> For help in the recovery console type HELP.
>> For help on any command type help Command-Name or Command-Name /?, for
>> example:
>>
>> help format
>> format /?
>>
>> John
>>
>> Daniel wrote:
>>> But in the end the question was....
>>> "when using recovery console what do I type to format the C drive to
>>> the NTFS file system"
>>>
>>> I have now resolved the issue in another way and the disk is 100% okay.
>>>
>>> cheers
>>>
>>> Daniel
>>>
>>> "db" <databaseben at hotmail dot com> wrote in message
>>>
>>>> there are a number of
>>>> reasons as to why the
>>>> disk becomes dysfunctional.
>>>>
>>>> perhaps, there is a change
>>>> in the bios
>>>>
>>>> perhaps, the drive connectors
>>>> have wobble loose
>>>>
>>>> perhaps, the file system crashed
>>>>
>>>> perhaps, the drive is no longer
>>>> reliable
>>>>
>>>> so the question is if you can
>>>> actually get to a disk prompt
>>>> via recovery console.
>>>>
>>>> however, if you have nothing
>>>> to loose then I would simply
>>>> follow the recommendations
>>>> by others and
>>>>
>>>> simply stick the xp into
>>>> the drive and commence
>>>> an install of the o.s.
>>>>
>>>> btw: don't forget to change
>>>> the bios settings so that the
>>>> machine will boot from the
>>>> cd drive and boot with the
>>>> xp cd.
>>>> --
>>>>
>>>> db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
>>>> DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
>>>> - Systems Analyst
>>>> - Database Developer
>>>> - Accountancy
>>>> - Veteran of the Armed Forces
>>>> - Microsoft Partner
>>>> -
>>>> ~~~~~~~~~~"share the nirvana" - dbZen
>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> "Daniel" wrote in message
>>>>
>>>>> To all
>>>>>
>>>>> the hard drive has lost it's file allocation and the CD does not
>>>>> recognise it as valid
>>>>> and will not install to it.
>>>>>
>>>>> But recovery consol does see it and will format it but I do not
>>>>> know what FAT it will format to.
>>>>>
>>>>> Thanks
>>>>>
>>>>> Daniel
>>>>> "db" <databaseben at hotmail dot com> wrote in message
>>>>>
>>>>>> if the disk already has
>>>>>> windows installed
>>>>>>
>>>>>> you can simply convert
>>>>>> it to ntfs without formatting
>>>>>> and reinstalling the o.s.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> --
>>>>>>
>>>>>> db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
>>>>>> DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
>>>>>> - Systems Analyst
>>>>>> - Database Developer
>>>>>> - Accountancy
>>>>>> - Veteran of the Armed Forces
>>>>>> - Microsoft Partner
>>>>>> -
>>>>>> ~~~~~~~~~~"share the nirvana" - dbZen
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> "Daniel" wrote in message
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Hi
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> when using recovery console what do I type to format the C drive
>>>>>>> to the NTFS file system?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> thanks
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> Daniel
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>
>>

longxiaodie · Joined: May 12, 2010 Posts: 6

First select a partition you would like to format. There are three ways to format a chosen partition:
a. Select Format in the menu Partition.
b. Click Format button in the Tool Bar.
c. Select the button Format Partition under the group Partition Operations in the Action Panel.