formatting hard drive

A

attilathehun1

I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase), instead of a
complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard drive
and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system disk,
replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this message
comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot from
CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the operating
system it got to the point where it says something to this nature: make sure
to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your computer.
That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does a
quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase the
whole disk and have it completely clean.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, attilathehun1
 
D

Don Phillipson

"attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:60085236-045B-460D-BBB4-81572A775FB3@microsoft.com...

> I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase), instead of
a
> complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard
drive
> and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system disk,
> replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this
message
> comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot from
> CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the operating
> system it got to the point where it says something to this nature: make
sure
> to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your computer.
> That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does a
> quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase the
> whole disk and have it completely clean.

Better repost with fulll details. It looks as if you want to instal
a second operating system: if so you need a boot manager
(as found in most Linux distros and WinXP but not in Win98:
I do not know about WinME.)
1. What hard drives are installed, with what OS, and what
do you want to instal?
2. BIOS menus are usually reached by interrupting reboot
process with the DEL key. How did you attempt (and fail) to reach
BIOS menus?

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)
 
P

philo

"attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:60085236-045B-460D-BBB4-81572A775FB3@microsoft.com...
> I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase), instead of
a
> complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard
drive
> and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system disk,
> replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this
message
> comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot from
> CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the operating
> system it got to the point where it says something to this nature: make
sure
> to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your computer.
> That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does a
> quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase the
> whole disk and have it completely clean.
> Any help would be greatly appreciated.
> Thanks,
attilathehun1


Your problem is not due to the quick format...
the real question is: How, exactly is your *main* drive setup?

Though Windows can be installed on your slave drive,
the files needed to boot Windows will not be installed there...
they can only be installed to an active primary partition...
and that partition must be formatted as fat32 (or fat16).

Once you post back with the information concerning your main drive...
it should be fairly straight-forward to fully ascertain the situation.


As to the question of full format vs quick format:

The full format tests the drive as it is performing the operation
of assigning your drive as "free space". If the drive has any bad sectors on
it,
they will be mapped out. Other than that, the quick format "erases" your
drive
just as completely as the full format.
 
A

attilathehun1

Ok, I took the drive. Western Digital 20 GB, out that had Window ME OS
running on it and stuck it into the PC as a slave that had Windows 98 SE
operating system on it. The Windows 98 SE PC has a 10 GB Seagate hard drive.
This is usually how I format my drives. Stick them into a PC as a slave and
then format. I presume that's is how it's done. If there is an easier way to
format a drive that is a master or single drive, then please tell me. A drive
that has the primary operating system or only operating system on it can't be
formatted, right?
Ok, so now I did the quick format (erase) and stuck the Western Digital
back into the PC that has 320 MB of RAM and a Pentium III. When I tried to
reinstall the Windows ME OS into the Western Digital it gets to the point
where it says:
Please wait while Setup initializes.
Scanning system registry...
Copying files needed for Windows Setup...
Please remove any floppy disks from your drives and press any key to
restart your system.
Then it just keeps blinking. I mean the symbol hyphen keeps on quickly
blinking. That's as far as I get.
I'm using a burnt Window ME OS disk. It's not from the Manufacturer. I've
used this copy about 25 times. I don't think that's the problem.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Attilathehun1


--
attilathehun1


"Don Phillipson" wrote:

> "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:60085236-045B-460D-BBB4-81572A775FB3@microsoft.com...
>
> > I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase), instead of
> a
> > complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard
> drive
> > and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system disk,
> > replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this
> message
> > comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot from
> > CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the operating
> > system it got to the point where it says something to this nature: make
> sure
> > to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your computer.
> > That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does a
> > quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase the
> > whole disk and have it completely clean.
>
> Better repost with fulll details. It looks as if you want to instal
> a second operating system: if so you need a boot manager
> (as found in most Linux distros and WinXP but not in Win98:
> I do not know about WinME.)
> 1. What hard drives are installed, with what OS, and what
> do you want to instal?
> 2. BIOS menus are usually reached by interrupting reboot
> process with the DEL key. How did you attempt (and fail) to reach
> BIOS menus?
>
> --
> Don Phillipson
> Carlsbad Springs
> (Ottawa, Canada)
>
>
>
 
A

attilathehun1

--
attilathehun1


"Don Phillipson" wrote:

> "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:60085236-045B-460D-BBB4-81572A775FB3@microsoft.com...
>
> > I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase), instead of
> a
> > complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard
> drive
> > and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system disk,
> > replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this
> message
> > comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot from
> > CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the operating
> > system it got to the point where it says something to this nature: make
> sure
> > to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your computer.
> > That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does a
> > quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase the
> > whole disk and have it completely clean.
>
> Better repost with fulll details. It looks as if you want to instal
> a second operating system: if so you need a boot manager
> (as found in most Linux distros and WinXP but not in Win98:
> I do not know about WinME.)
> 1. What hard drives are installed, with what OS, and what
> do you want to instal?
> 2. BIOS menus are usually reached by interrupting reboot
> process with the DEL key. How did you attempt (and fail) to reach
> BIOS menus?
>
> --
> Don Phillipson
> Carlsbad Springs
> (Ottawa, Canada)
>
>
>
 
A

attilathehun1

Oh, that's probably the problem. I didn't partition the drive, I just
formatted it. Ok, I'll give that a shot.
I think I partition the drive during the Setup process, right?
I not even getting to that point. Let me check again, hold on. Nope, it's
still where it says to remove any floppy disks..etc
I know a new drive is partitioned while your loading up the OS.
If I'm wrong about the partition process, please tell me.
Thanks, attilathehun1
--
attilathehun1


"philo" wrote:

>
> "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:60085236-045B-460D-BBB4-81572A775FB3@microsoft.com...
> > I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase), instead of
> a
> > complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard
> drive
> > and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system disk,
> > replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this
> message
> > comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot from
> > CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the operating
> > system it got to the point where it says something to this nature: make
> sure
> > to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your computer.
> > That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does a
> > quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase the
> > whole disk and have it completely clean.
> > Any help would be greatly appreciated.
> > Thanks,
> attilathehun1
>
>
> Your problem is not due to the quick format...
> the real question is: How, exactly is your *main* drive setup?
>
> Though Windows can be installed on your slave drive,
> the files needed to boot Windows will not be installed there...
> they can only be installed to an active primary partition...
> and that partition must be formatted as fat32 (or fat16).
>
> Once you post back with the information concerning your main drive...
> it should be fairly straight-forward to fully ascertain the situation.
>
>
> As to the question of full format vs quick format:
>
> The full format tests the drive as it is performing the operation
> of assigning your drive as "free space". If the drive has any bad sectors on
> it,
> they will be mapped out. Other than that, the quick format "erases" your
> drive
> just as completely as the full format.
>
>
>
>
 
P

philo

"attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:EAB6FB7A-D6F3-43CB-9B80-2CE4D4558FCD@microsoft.com...
> Oh, that's probably the problem. I didn't partition the drive, I just
> formatted it. Ok, I'll give that a shot.
> I think I partition the drive during the Setup process, right?
> I not even getting to that point. Let me check again, hold on. Nope, it's
> still where it says to remove any floppy disks..etc
> I know a new drive is partitioned while your loading up the OS.
> If I'm wrong about the partition process, please tell me.
> Thanks,
attilathehun1
>


No!

It is *impossible* to format a drive unless it has been partitioned first.
Since you have not answered the question that I asked you, there is no way I
can help you
nor is it likely anyone can guess how you have setup your primary harddrive.
 
G

Gary S. Terhune

"attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:A2356B85-3706-493E-8403-15D260C82FEA@microsoft.com...
> Ok, I took the drive. Western Digital 20 GB, out that had Window ME OS
> running on it and stuck it into the PC as a slave that had Windows 98 SE
> operating system on it. The Windows 98 SE PC has a 10 GB Seagate hard
> drive.
> This is usually how I format my drives. Stick them into a PC as a slave
> and
> then format. I presume that's is how it's done. If there is an easier way
> to
> format a drive that is a master or single drive, then please tell me. A
> drive
> that has the primary operating system or only operating system on it can't
> be
> formatted, right?
> Ok, so now I did the quick format (erase) and stuck the Western Digital
> back into the PC that has 320 MB of RAM and a Pentium III. When I tried to
> reinstall the Windows ME OS into the Western Digital it gets to the point
> where it says:
> Please wait while Setup initializes.
> Scanning system registry...
> Copying files needed for Windows Setup...
> Please remove any floppy disks from your drives and press any key to
> restart your system.

And did you press any key? And if that doesn't do anything, did you try
restarting manually after removing all discs, CD and floppy (and bootable
USB stick, whatever...)? And if that didn't work, did you try running SETUP
again?

Maybe you should start over: Actually, the easy way to format a drive is to
use a floppy Windows boot disk. If you don't have one, go to bootdisk.com,
download the WINME version http://vcic.com/vault/bootme.exe and make sure
you have a handful of floppies to try, since floppies are getting older and
older and less trustworthy.

You should make such a disk, boot to it on the machine that has the
"problem" drive in it. I presume you have re-jumpered the drive and it is
now Primary Master. RIGHT? When you get to the question, choose "without
CDROM support." When it gets to the A:\> prompt, run the following command:
FORMAT C:

Since there was a problem, do a full format. (Otherwise you'd use the
following command for "quick" format:
FORMAT C: /q

Yes, you can format a drive with an OS on it. Formatting wipes EVERYTHING
and leaves you with a blank, usable disk.

When the formatting is done, remove the floppy, insert the WinME CD, and use
Ctrl-Alt-Del to restart the system. The WinME disc should crank up and you
can go from there.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com



> Then it just keeps blinking. I mean the symbol hyphen keeps on quickly
> blinking. That's as far as I get.
> I'm using a burnt Window ME OS disk. It's not from the Manufacturer. I've
> used this copy about 25 times. I don't think that's the problem.
> Any help would be greatly appreciated.
> Thanks, Attilathehun1
>
>
> --
> attilathehun1
>
>
> "Don Phillipson" wrote:
>
>> "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> message
>> news:60085236-045B-460D-BBB4-81572A775FB3@microsoft.com...
>>
>> > I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase), instead
>> > of
>> a
>> > complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard
>> drive
>> > and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system
>> > disk,
>> > replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this
>> message
>> > comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot from
>> > CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the
>> > operating
>> > system it got to the point where it says something to this nature: make
>> sure
>> > to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your
>> > computer.
>> > That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does
>> > a
>> > quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase
>> > the
>> > whole disk and have it completely clean.
>>
>> Better repost with fulll details. It looks as if you want to instal
>> a second operating system: if so you need a boot manager
>> (as found in most Linux distros and WinXP but not in Win98:
>> I do not know about WinME.)
>> 1. What hard drives are installed, with what OS, and what
>> do you want to instal?
>> 2. BIOS menus are usually reached by interrupting reboot
>> process with the DEL key. How did you attempt (and fail) to reach
>> BIOS menus?
>>
>> --
>> Don Phillipson
>> Carlsbad Springs
>> (Ottawa, Canada)
>>
>>
>>
 
G

Gary S. Terhune

I see what you were getting at -- no, an OS can't format its own partition.
But using a floppy-based OS like that on a Windows Startup floppy (or a CD
version) is MUCH easier than moving the drive to another machine and back.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com

"Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message
news:eYYVophrIHA.1316@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>
> "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:A2356B85-3706-493E-8403-15D260C82FEA@microsoft.com...
>> Ok, I took the drive. Western Digital 20 GB, out that had Window ME OS
>> running on it and stuck it into the PC as a slave that had Windows 98 SE
>> operating system on it. The Windows 98 SE PC has a 10 GB Seagate hard
>> drive.
>> This is usually how I format my drives. Stick them into a PC as a slave
>> and
>> then format. I presume that's is how it's done. If there is an easier way
>> to
>> format a drive that is a master or single drive, then please tell me. A
>> drive
>> that has the primary operating system or only operating system on it
>> can't be
>> formatted, right?
>> Ok, so now I did the quick format (erase) and stuck the Western Digital
>> back into the PC that has 320 MB of RAM and a Pentium III. When I tried
>> to
>> reinstall the Windows ME OS into the Western Digital it gets to the point
>> where it says:
>> Please wait while Setup initializes.
>> Scanning system registry...
>> Copying files needed for Windows Setup...
>> Please remove any floppy disks from your drives and press any key to
>> restart your system.
>
> And did you press any key? And if that doesn't do anything, did you try
> restarting manually after removing all discs, CD and floppy (and bootable
> USB stick, whatever...)? And if that didn't work, did you try running
> SETUP again?
>
> Maybe you should start over: Actually, the easy way to format a drive is
> to use a floppy Windows boot disk. If you don't have one, go to
> bootdisk.com, download the WINME version http://vcic.com/vault/bootme.exe
> and make sure you have a handful of floppies to try, since floppies are
> getting older and older and less trustworthy.
>
> You should make such a disk, boot to it on the machine that has the
> "problem" drive in it. I presume you have re-jumpered the drive and it is
> now Primary Master. RIGHT? When you get to the question, choose "without
> CDROM support." When it gets to the A:\> prompt, run the following
> command:
> FORMAT C:
>
> Since there was a problem, do a full format. (Otherwise you'd use the
> following command for "quick" format:
> FORMAT C: /q
>
> Yes, you can format a drive with an OS on it. Formatting wipes EVERYTHING
> and leaves you with a blank, usable disk.
>
> When the formatting is done, remove the floppy, insert the WinME CD, and
> use
> Ctrl-Alt-Del to restart the system. The WinME disc should crank up and you
> can go from there.
>
> --
> Gary S. Terhune
> MS-MVP Shell/User
> www.grystmill.com
>
>
>
>> Then it just keeps blinking. I mean the symbol hyphen keeps on quickly
>> blinking. That's as far as I get.
>> I'm using a burnt Window ME OS disk. It's not from the Manufacturer. I've
>> used this copy about 25 times. I don't think that's the problem.
>> Any help would be greatly appreciated.
>> Thanks, Attilathehun1
>>
>>
>> --
>> attilathehun1
>>
>>
>> "Don Phillipson" wrote:
>>
>>> "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>>> message
>>> news:60085236-045B-460D-BBB4-81572A775FB3@microsoft.com...
>>>
>>> > I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase),
>>> > instead of
>>> a
>>> > complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard
>>> drive
>>> > and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system
>>> > disk,
>>> > replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this
>>> message
>>> > comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot
>>> > from
>>> > CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the
>>> > operating
>>> > system it got to the point where it says something to this nature:
>>> > make
>>> sure
>>> > to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your
>>> > computer.
>>> > That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does
>>> > a
>>> > quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase
>>> > the
>>> > whole disk and have it completely clean.
>>>
>>> Better repost with fulll details. It looks as if you want to instal
>>> a second operating system: if so you need a boot manager
>>> (as found in most Linux distros and WinXP but not in Win98:
>>> I do not know about WinME.)
>>> 1. What hard drives are installed, with what OS, and what
>>> do you want to instal?
>>> 2. BIOS menus are usually reached by interrupting reboot
>>> process with the DEL key. How did you attempt (and fail) to reach
>>> BIOS menus?
>>>
>>> --
>>> Don Phillipson
>>> Carlsbad Springs
>>> (Ottawa, Canada)
>>>
>>>
>>>
>
 
A

attilathehun1

I tried doing maybe 5 times over. I removed any floppies or CDs from the PC.
I think your right with having to partition the drive ahead of time. I
presume I can partition the drive after formatting as a slave? Anotherwords,
after I format the drive as a slave, I can then start the partition process?
Any response will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, attilathehun1
--
attilathehun1


"Gary S. Terhune" wrote:

> I see what you were getting at -- no, an OS can't format its own partition.
> But using a floppy-based OS like that on a Windows Startup floppy (or a CD
> version) is MUCH easier than moving the drive to another machine and back.
>
> --
> Gary S. Terhune
> MS-MVP Shell/User
> www.grystmill.com
>
> "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message
> news:eYYVophrIHA.1316@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> >
> > "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:A2356B85-3706-493E-8403-15D260C82FEA@microsoft.com...
> >> Ok, I took the drive. Western Digital 20 GB, out that had Window ME OS
> >> running on it and stuck it into the PC as a slave that had Windows 98 SE
> >> operating system on it. The Windows 98 SE PC has a 10 GB Seagate hard
> >> drive.
> >> This is usually how I format my drives. Stick them into a PC as a slave
> >> and
> >> then format. I presume that's is how it's done. If there is an easier way
> >> to
> >> format a drive that is a master or single drive, then please tell me. A
> >> drive
> >> that has the primary operating system or only operating system on it
> >> can't be
> >> formatted, right?
> >> Ok, so now I did the quick format (erase) and stuck the Western Digital
> >> back into the PC that has 320 MB of RAM and a Pentium III. When I tried
> >> to
> >> reinstall the Windows ME OS into the Western Digital it gets to the point
> >> where it says:
> >> Please wait while Setup initializes.
> >> Scanning system registry...
> >> Copying files needed for Windows Setup...
> >> Please remove any floppy disks from your drives and press any key to
> >> restart your system.
> >
> > And did you press any key? And if that doesn't do anything, did you try
> > restarting manually after removing all discs, CD and floppy (and bootable
> > USB stick, whatever...)? And if that didn't work, did you try running
> > SETUP again?
> >
> > Maybe you should start over: Actually, the easy way to format a drive is
> > to use a floppy Windows boot disk. If you don't have one, go to
> > bootdisk.com, download the WINME version http://vcic.com/vault/bootme.exe
> > and make sure you have a handful of floppies to try, since floppies are
> > getting older and older and less trustworthy.
> >
> > You should make such a disk, boot to it on the machine that has the
> > "problem" drive in it. I presume you have re-jumpered the drive and it is
> > now Primary Master. RIGHT? When you get to the question, choose "without
> > CDROM support." When it gets to the A:\> prompt, run the following
> > command:
> > FORMAT C:
> >
> > Since there was a problem, do a full format. (Otherwise you'd use the
> > following command for "quick" format:
> > FORMAT C: /q
> >
> > Yes, you can format a drive with an OS on it. Formatting wipes EVERYTHING
> > and leaves you with a blank, usable disk.
> >
> > When the formatting is done, remove the floppy, insert the WinME CD, and
> > use
> > Ctrl-Alt-Del to restart the system. The WinME disc should crank up and you
> > can go from there.
> >
> > --
> > Gary S. Terhune
> > MS-MVP Shell/User
> > www.grystmill.com
> >
> >
> >
> >> Then it just keeps blinking. I mean the symbol hyphen keeps on quickly
> >> blinking. That's as far as I get.
> >> I'm using a burnt Window ME OS disk. It's not from the Manufacturer. I've
> >> used this copy about 25 times. I don't think that's the problem.
> >> Any help would be greatly appreciated.
> >> Thanks, Attilathehun1
> >>
> >>
> >> --
> >> attilathehun1
> >>
> >>
> >> "Don Phillipson" wrote:
> >>
> >>> "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> >>> message
> >>> news:60085236-045B-460D-BBB4-81572A775FB3@microsoft.com...
> >>>
> >>> > I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase),
> >>> > instead of
> >>> a
> >>> > complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard
> >>> drive
> >>> > and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system
> >>> > disk,
> >>> > replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this
> >>> message
> >>> > comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot
> >>> > from
> >>> > CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the
> >>> > operating
> >>> > system it got to the point where it says something to this nature:
> >>> > make
> >>> sure
> >>> > to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your
> >>> > computer.
> >>> > That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does
> >>> > a
> >>> > quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase
> >>> > the
> >>> > whole disk and have it completely clean.
> >>>
> >>> Better repost with fulll details. It looks as if you want to instal
> >>> a second operating system: if so you need a boot manager
> >>> (as found in most Linux distros and WinXP but not in Win98:
> >>> I do not know about WinME.)
> >>> 1. What hard drives are installed, with what OS, and what
> >>> do you want to instal?
> >>> 2. BIOS menus are usually reached by interrupting reboot
> >>> process with the DEL key. How did you attempt (and fail) to reach
> >>> BIOS menus?
> >>>
> >>> --
> >>> Don Phillipson
> >>> Carlsbad Springs
> >>> (Ottawa, Canada)
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >
>
>
 
A

attilathehun1

Ok, I thought it was the other way around, that you had to first format it
and then partition it. Well I glad that question has been answered.
I using only 1 drive per PC. The only reason I put a slave in is to format
it and erase the drive when it's in the slave position. I see there is
another easier way to format the drive using a boot disk floppy or CD? I
thought any drive with the existing master operating system that the computer
is using right now cannot be messed with. Anotherwords, no formatting while
it's being used as the primary OS. If I'm wrong there, then tell me please.
Thanks, attilathehun1
--
attilathehun1


"philo" wrote:

>
> "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:EAB6FB7A-D6F3-43CB-9B80-2CE4D4558FCD@microsoft.com...
> > Oh, that's probably the problem. I didn't partition the drive, I just
> > formatted it. Ok, I'll give that a shot.
> > I think I partition the drive during the Setup process, right?
> > I not even getting to that point. Let me check again, hold on. Nope, it's
> > still where it says to remove any floppy disks..etc
> > I know a new drive is partitioned while your loading up the OS.
> > If I'm wrong about the partition process, please tell me.
> > Thanks,
> attilathehun1
> >
>
>
> No!
>
> It is *impossible* to format a drive unless it has been partitioned first.
> Since you have not answered the question that I asked you, there is no way I
> can help you
> nor is it likely anyone can guess how you have setup your primary harddrive.
>
>
>
 
P

philo

"attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:BA55A430-2A3F-4FD4-AE6C-16AE87680053@microsoft.com...
> Ok, I thought it was the other way around, that you had to first format it
> and then partition it. Well I glad that question has been answered.
> I using only 1 drive per PC. The only reason I put a slave in is to
format
> it and erase the drive when it's in the slave position. I see there is
> another easier way to format the drive using a boot disk floppy or CD? I
> thought any drive with the existing master operating system that the
computer
> is using right now cannot be messed with. Anotherwords, no formatting
while
> it's being used as the primary OS. If I'm wrong there, then tell me
please.
> Thanks,
attilathehun1
>


Thank you for clarifying. I think I was about to take a guess and ask if
maybe you removed the
primary drive...or had put the slave in another machine.

If you plan to just have *one* drive per machine...
take that particular drive and put it in the machine in which you intend to
use it.
I guess it does not really matter, but you really should jumper it as
master.

Since it was a slave drive I don't know if it was set active...
so with your boot floppy run fdisk and if it is not set active...be sure to
do so...
but make no more changes.

Now your installation of Windows should work.

I am still not 100% sure of what you have done...
but you are correct that when you have a main drive in your machine
and you want to put in a second drive...just to format it (for example)
you are smart to remove the main drive so there is no chance of accidentally
destroying your data
 
G

Gary S. Terhune

No, no, no.... You partition the disk first, then format the partition. And,
as I said, you don't normally move a hard drive to another machine to format
it (or partition it, for that matter.) You use a Windows Startup disk,
usually a bootable floppy, but you can also get a bootable CD version.

Boot to the floppy startup disk and start without CDROM support. When you
get to the A:\> prompt, run FDISK. When asked about large drive support, say
yes. At the menu, choose 4. to display partition info. It should say
"Current fixed disk drive: 1" and then a list of partitions that should only
include one:

C: should be Partition 1, its Status should be Active, its Type should be
PRI DOS. Is all that true?

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com

"attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:B67D8C22-7666-4453-8CD0-744B98829739@microsoft.com...
>I tried doing maybe 5 times over. I removed any floppies or CDs from the
>PC.
> I think your right with having to partition the drive ahead of time. I
> presume I can partition the drive after formatting as a slave?
> Anotherwords,
> after I format the drive as a slave, I can then start the partition
> process?
> Any response will be greatly appreciated.
> Thanks, attilathehun1
> --
> attilathehun1
>
>
> "Gary S. Terhune" wrote:
>
>> I see what you were getting at -- no, an OS can't format its own
>> partition.
>> But using a floppy-based OS like that on a Windows Startup floppy (or a
>> CD
>> version) is MUCH easier than moving the drive to another machine and
>> back.
>>
>> --
>> Gary S. Terhune
>> MS-MVP Shell/User
>> www.grystmill.com
>>
>> "Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message
>> news:eYYVophrIHA.1316@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> >
>> > "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> > message
>> > news:A2356B85-3706-493E-8403-15D260C82FEA@microsoft.com...
>> >> Ok, I took the drive. Western Digital 20 GB, out that had Window ME OS
>> >> running on it and stuck it into the PC as a slave that had Windows 98
>> >> SE
>> >> operating system on it. The Windows 98 SE PC has a 10 GB Seagate hard
>> >> drive.
>> >> This is usually how I format my drives. Stick them into a PC as a
>> >> slave
>> >> and
>> >> then format. I presume that's is how it's done. If there is an easier
>> >> way
>> >> to
>> >> format a drive that is a master or single drive, then please tell me.
>> >> A
>> >> drive
>> >> that has the primary operating system or only operating system on it
>> >> can't be
>> >> formatted, right?
>> >> Ok, so now I did the quick format (erase) and stuck the Western
>> >> Digital
>> >> back into the PC that has 320 MB of RAM and a Pentium III. When I
>> >> tried
>> >> to
>> >> reinstall the Windows ME OS into the Western Digital it gets to the
>> >> point
>> >> where it says:
>> >> Please wait while Setup initializes.
>> >> Scanning system registry...
>> >> Copying files needed for Windows Setup...
>> >> Please remove any floppy disks from your drives and press any key to
>> >> restart your system.
>> >
>> > And did you press any key? And if that doesn't do anything, did you try
>> > restarting manually after removing all discs, CD and floppy (and
>> > bootable
>> > USB stick, whatever...)? And if that didn't work, did you try running
>> > SETUP again?
>> >
>> > Maybe you should start over: Actually, the easy way to format a drive
>> > is
>> > to use a floppy Windows boot disk. If you don't have one, go to
>> > bootdisk.com, download the WINME version
>> > http://vcic.com/vault/bootme.exe
>> > and make sure you have a handful of floppies to try, since floppies are
>> > getting older and older and less trustworthy.
>> >
>> > You should make such a disk, boot to it on the machine that has the
>> > "problem" drive in it. I presume you have re-jumpered the drive and it
>> > is
>> > now Primary Master. RIGHT? When you get to the question, choose
>> > "without
>> > CDROM support." When it gets to the A:\> prompt, run the following
>> > command:
>> > FORMAT C:
>> >
>> > Since there was a problem, do a full format. (Otherwise you'd use the
>> > following command for "quick" format:
>> > FORMAT C: /q
>> >
>> > Yes, you can format a drive with an OS on it. Formatting wipes
>> > EVERYTHING
>> > and leaves you with a blank, usable disk.
>> >
>> > When the formatting is done, remove the floppy, insert the WinME CD,
>> > and
>> > use
>> > Ctrl-Alt-Del to restart the system. The WinME disc should crank up and
>> > you
>> > can go from there.
>> >
>> > --
>> > Gary S. Terhune
>> > MS-MVP Shell/User
>> > www.grystmill.com
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >> Then it just keeps blinking. I mean the symbol hyphen keeps on quickly
>> >> blinking. That's as far as I get.
>> >> I'm using a burnt Window ME OS disk. It's not from the Manufacturer.
>> >> I've
>> >> used this copy about 25 times. I don't think that's the problem.
>> >> Any help would be greatly appreciated.
>> >> Thanks, Attilathehun1
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> --
>> >> attilathehun1
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> "Don Phillipson" wrote:
>> >>
>> >>> "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> >>> message
>> >>> news:60085236-045B-460D-BBB4-81572A775FB3@microsoft.com...
>> >>>
>> >>> > I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase),
>> >>> > instead of
>> >>> a
>> >>> > complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the
>> >>> > hard
>> >>> drive
>> >>> > and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system
>> >>> > disk,
>> >>> > replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but
>> >>> > this
>> >>> message
>> >>> > comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot
>> >>> > from
>> >>> > CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the
>> >>> > operating
>> >>> > system it got to the point where it says something to this nature:
>> >>> > make
>> >>> sure
>> >>> > to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your
>> >>> > computer.
>> >>> > That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format?
>> >>> > Does
>> >>> > a
>> >>> > quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to
>> >>> > erase
>> >>> > the
>> >>> > whole disk and have it completely clean.
>> >>>
>> >>> Better repost with fulll details. It looks as if you want to instal
>> >>> a second operating system: if so you need a boot manager
>> >>> (as found in most Linux distros and WinXP but not in Win98:
>> >>> I do not know about WinME.)
>> >>> 1. What hard drives are installed, with what OS, and what
>> >>> do you want to instal?
>> >>> 2. BIOS menus are usually reached by interrupting reboot
>> >>> process with the DEL key. How did you attempt (and fail) to reach
>> >>> BIOS menus?
>> >>>
>> >>> --
>> >>> Don Phillipson
>> >>> Carlsbad Springs
>> >>> (Ottawa, Canada)
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >
>>
>>
 
B

Ben Myers

"attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:60085236-045B-460D-BBB4-81572A775FB3@microsoft.com...
> I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase), instead of a
> complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard drive
> and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system disk,
> replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this message
> comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot from
> CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the operating
> system it got to the point where it says something to this nature: make sure
> to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your computer.
> That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does a
> quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase the
> whole disk and have it completely clean.
> Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Go to http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm and create a Windows ME
boot floppy. Use it to start the computer in question, type "sys c:" and press
"Enter". Then remove the floppy, insert the Windows ME CD, restart the
computer and rerun Windows setup. Also, make sure the drive is jumpered
correctly, probably "Master, slave not present".

Ben
 
L

letterman@invalid.com

On Sun, 4 May 2008 05:22:00 -0700, attilathehun1
<attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote:

> I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase), instead of a
>complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard drive
>and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system disk,
>replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this message
>comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot from
>CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the operating
>system it got to the point where it says something to this nature: make sure
>to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your computer.
>That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does a
>quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase the
>whole disk and have it completely clean.
> Any help would be greatly appreciated.
> Thanks, attilathehun1

You pressed the wrong "ANY KEY". :)

Run Fdisk, remove the partitions completely. Create new partitions,
format them. You can do all of this from a bootable dos floppy with
FDISK and FORMAT on the disk. Be sure the drive jumpers are set to
SLAVE.

Or, get your hands on Partition Magic. You can do most anything with
that program, including removing all traces of data.

If all else fails, I once created a dos batch file that fill an entire
harddrive with one sentence. I actually created it as a joke, to
drive my friends crazy, but it also served to remove all traces of
data. I'm not sure if I can find that file anymore. but it just kept
multiplying (cloning itself), until the whole drive was full. (It did
a great job of pissing people off).
 
A

attilathehun1

--
attilathehun1


"philo" wrote:

>
> "attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:BA55A430-2A3F-4FD4-AE6C-16AE87680053@microsoft.com...
> > Ok, I thought it was the other way around, that you had to first format it
> > and then partition it. Well I glad that question has been answered.
> > I using only 1 drive per PC. The only reason I put a slave in is to
> format
> > it and erase the drive when it's in the slave position. I see there is
> > another easier way to format the drive using a boot disk floppy or CD? I
> > thought any drive with the existing master operating system that the
> computer
> > is using right now cannot be messed with. Anotherwords, no formatting
> while
> > it's being used as the primary OS. If I'm wrong there, then tell me
> please.
> > Thanks,
> attilathehun1
> >
>
>
> Thank you for clarifying. I think I was about to take a guess and ask if
> maybe you removed the
> primary drive...or had put the slave in another machine.
>
> If you plan to just have *one* drive per machine...
> take that particular drive and put it in the machine in which you intend to
> use it.
> I guess it does not really matter, but you really should jumper it as
> master.
>
> Since it was a slave drive I don't know if it was set active...
> so with your boot floppy run fdisk and if it is not set active...be sure to
> do so...
> but make no more changes.
>
> Now your installation of Windows should work.
>
> I am still not 100% sure of what you have done...
> but you are correct that when you have a main drive in your machine
> and you want to put in a second drive...just to format it (for example)
> you are smart to remove the main drive so there is no chance of accidentally
> destroying your data
>
>
>
 
G

Gary S. Terhune

You mean to tell me that Windows ME setup doesn't start by doing it's own
SYS operation? If true, that would be really, really dumb.

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com

"Ben Myers" <benjmyers@mindR-e-m-o-v-Espring.com> wrote in message
news:O9VwYtkrIHA.1200@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
"attilathehun1" <attilathehun1@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:60085236-045B-460D-BBB4-81572A775FB3@microsoft.com...
> I formatted my slave hard drive and did a quick format (erase), instead of
> a
> complete format. I wanted to put another operating system on the hard
> drive
> and now I'm having problems loading it up. It says: Invalid system disk,
> replace the disk and press any key. I tried to get into BIOS but this
> message
> comes up. When I put Windows ME OS disk into it then it says: Boot from
> CD-ROM or boot from hard drive. When I chose CD-ROM and ran the operating
> system it got to the point where it says something to this nature: make
> sure
> to remove any floppy diskette and press any key to restart your computer.
> That's as far as I get. Maybe I should've done a complete format? Does a
> quick format leave the operating system on the disk? I want to erase the
> whole disk and have it completely clean.
> Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Go to http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm and create a Windows ME
boot floppy. Use it to start the computer in question, type "sys c:" and
press
"Enter". Then remove the floppy, insert the Windows ME CD, restart the
computer and rerun Windows setup. Also, make sure the drive is jumpered
correctly, probably "Master, slave not present".

Ben
 
P

philo

"Gary S. Terhune" <none> wrote in message
news:OmM%23%23MyrIHA.4912@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> You mean to tell me that Windows ME setup doesn't start by doing it's own
> SYS operation? If true, that would be really, really dumb.
>
>


I have fooled around with Windows ME briedly
and I hate it.

If one installs WinME it's no different from any other version of Win9x...
it will of course "sys" the drive and the machine should boot just fine
after an installation.

But the one thing that's different about WinME is that you cannot
necessarily SYS the drive
by simply using a WinME bootdisk. IIRC , if the system files are already in
place...it will not allow one to re "sys" the drive

http://mirror.href.com/thestarman/asm/mbr/SYSCOM.htm
 
F

Franc Zabkar

On Mon, 5 May 2008 19:43:31 -0700, "Gary S. Terhune" <none> put finger
to keyboard and composed:

>You mean to tell me that Windows ME setup doesn't start by doing it's own
>SYS operation? If true, that would be really, really dumb.

Is it possible that the SYS command also refreshes the boot sector
whereas the setup procedure may not? I recently got stung when I
trashed the boot sector on an XP system (using Fixboot). The XP OS had
been installed on a FAT32 partition that originally contained Win98SE.
Normally I would have been able to restore the damaged XP boot sector
from a backup at logical sector 6, but the XP setup procedure had not
refreshed this location. Instead it left the old Win98SE backup boot
sector intact.

- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.
 
G

Gary S. Terhune

Well, I would expect the SYS command to be run, plain and simple, first
thing during setup. SYS the drive, copy over the installation files, leave a
startup command to restart setup once it reboots... (Presumes drive is
properly partitioned and formatted, which Setup should ALSO check.) Does
anything else make sense to you?

Anyway, the drive at issue DID have ME running on it just fine. All he did
was use Win98 to format the repartition, which AFAIK doesn't touch the boot
sector. No, I think it's as simple as the drive not being set Active, which
I can see happening when the formatting was done the way it was. When the
system reboots, it can't find the Active partition and that's that. OP is
looking at an OEM splash screen, not the underlying BIOS screen, which I
would bet says it can't find any bootable media.

Which, if true, is another huge black mark against ME. How hard can it be
for Setup to make sure the drive/partition, whatever, are suitable and in
the proper state to support the OS?

--
Gary S. Terhune
MS-MVP Shell/User
www.grystmill.com

"Franc Zabkar" <fzabkar@iinternode.on.net> wrote in message
news:e84024ldb8r4jll2tiimtjag5ggpi3bfd3@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 5 May 2008 19:43:31 -0700, "Gary S. Terhune" <none> put finger
> to keyboard and composed:
>
>>You mean to tell me that Windows ME setup doesn't start by doing it's own
>>SYS operation? If true, that would be really, really dumb.
>
> Is it possible that the SYS command also refreshes the boot sector
> whereas the setup procedure may not? I recently got stung when I
> trashed the boot sector on an XP system (using Fixboot). The XP OS had
> been installed on a FAT32 partition that originally contained Win98SE.
> Normally I would have been able to restore the damaged XP boot sector
> from a backup at logical sector 6, but the XP setup procedure had not
> refreshed this location. Instead it left the old Win98SE backup boot
> sector intact.
>
> - Franc Zabkar
> --
> Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.
 
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