fdisk partitions

[Paola]

I'm trying to reformat my HD and I can't not get rid of the Extended dos
partition. I have a Primary dos and an extended dos. I can delete the primary
but not the extended and when I try to do a setup in the primary I get an
error "setup can not create files on your startup drive" then it says "If
you have HPFS ormNTFS, you most create a MS-DOS boot partition" which I can't
since is already two I assueme cause I try to do it but I can't. When I try
to delete the extended dos partition I get and error saying "Cannot delete
Extended dod partition while logical drives exist" the if I try num3 delete
logical drive I get an error saying "no logical drive defined"
and if I try to create a logical drive I get "All available space in the
extended dos partition is assigned to logical drives" "no logical drives
defined"
What can I do? can not start my pc . Please Help me! thanks
--
Pao Pao

 

[Malke]

Paola wrote:
> I'm trying to reformat my HD and I can't not get rid of the Extended dos
> partition. I have a Primary dos and an extended dos. I can delete the primary
> but not the extended and when I try to do a setup in the primary I get an
> error "setup can not create files on your startup drive" then it says "If
> you have HPFS ormNTFS, you most create a MS-DOS boot partition" which I can't
> since is already two I assueme cause I try to do it but I can't. When I try
> to delete the extended dos partition I get and error saying "Cannot delete
> Extended dod partition while logical drives exist" the if I try num3 delete
> logical drive I get an error saying "no logical drive defined"
> and if I try to create a logical drive I get "All available space in the
> extended dos partition is assigned to logical drives" "no logical drives
> defined"
> What can I do? can not start my pc . Please Help me! thanks

You don't want to use fdisk to work with partitions on an XP system. I
assume that what you are trying to do is reinstall Windows. Just boot
with the XP install cd and follow directions here:

http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html - Clean Install How-To
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Reinstalling_Windows -
What you will need on-hand

You will be able to delete/create partitions during the installation
process.


Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

"Paola" <Paola@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:AA652E71-71E9-4FFD-A486-664DB1AEBD21@microsoft.com...
> I'm trying to reformat my HD and I can't not get rid of the Extended dos
> partition. I have a Primary dos and an extended dos. I can delete the
> primary
> but not the extended and when I try to do a setup in the primary I get an
> error "setup can not create files on your startup drive" then it says "If
> you have HPFS ormNTFS, you most create a MS-DOS boot partition" which I
> can't
> since is already two I assueme cause I try to do it but I can't. When I
> try
> to delete the extended dos partition I get and error saying "Cannot delete
> Extended dod partition while logical drives exist" the if I try num3
> delete
> logical drive I get an error saying "no logical drive defined"
> and if I try to create a logical drive I get "All available space in the
> extended dos partition is assigned to logical drives" "no logical drives
> defined"
> What can I do? can not start my pc . Please Help me! thanks
> --
> Pao Pao

It is a well-known limitation of fdisk.exe that it cannot remove
NTFS drives in the extended partition. This is because you are
trying to use DOS tools for a disk partitioned under Windows.
Stop using DOS boot disks and follow Malke's recommendation
instead.

 

[Brian A.]

"Paola" <Paola@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:AA652E71-71E9-4FFD-A486-664DB1AEBD21@microsoft.com...
> I'm trying to reformat my HD and I can't not get rid of the Extended dos
> partition. I have a Primary dos and an extended dos. I can delete the primary
> but not the extended and when I try to do a setup in the primary I get an
> error "setup can not create files on your startup drive" then it says "If
> you have HPFS ormNTFS, you most create a MS-DOS boot partition" which I can't
> since is already two I assueme cause I try to do it but I can't. When I try
> to delete the extended dos partition I get and error saying "Cannot delete
> Extended dod partition while logical drives exist" the if I try num3 delete
> logical drive I get an error saying "no logical drive defined"
> and if I try to create a logical drive I get "All available space in the
> extended dos partition is assigned to logical drives" "no logical drives
> defined"
> What can I do? can not start my pc . Please Help me! thanks
> --
> Pao Pao

Logical partitions must be removed before the Extended partition can be removed
before the Primary partition can be removed if on the same disk.

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[Paola]

My problem with my cd is that it not work in dos. first it does not boot up,
second if I run it with the setup command it say that it not work on dos what
should i do?
--
Pao Pao


"Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:

>
> "Paola" <Paola@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:AA652E71-71E9-4FFD-A486-664DB1AEBD21@microsoft.com...
> > I'm trying to reformat my HD and I can't not get rid of the Extended dos
> > partition. I have a Primary dos and an extended dos. I can delete the
> > primary
> > but not the extended and when I try to do a setup in the primary I get an
> > error "setup can not create files on your startup drive" then it says "If
> > you have HPFS ormNTFS, you most create a MS-DOS boot partition" which I
> > can't
> > since is already two I assueme cause I try to do it but I can't. When I
> > try
> > to delete the extended dos partition I get and error saying "Cannot delete
> > Extended dod partition while logical drives exist" the if I try num3
> > delete
> > logical drive I get an error saying "no logical drive defined"
> > and if I try to create a logical drive I get "All available space in the
> > extended dos partition is assigned to logical drives" "no logical drives
> > defined"
> > What can I do? can not start my pc . Please Help me! thanks
> > --
> > Pao Pao
>
> It is a well-known limitation of fdisk.exe that it cannot remove
> NTFS drives in the extended partition. This is because you are
> trying to use DOS tools for a disk partitioned under Windows.
> Stop using DOS boot disks and follow Malke's recommendation
> instead.
>
>
>

 

[Paola]

Ok the xp was initially installed from a 98SE but i make a quick ntfs so make
a small drive when I try to install the sp2 it was not enough room so I try
to reinstall the xp to the full ntfs but I get stuck with this, cause I
delete the primary partition first so the 98 get lost computer not start I
know I messed up...
--
Pao Pao


"Paola" wrote:

> I'm trying to reformat my HD and I can't not get rid of the Extended dos
> partition. I have a Primary dos and an extended dos. I can delete the primary
> but not the extended and when I try to do a setup in the primary I get an
> error "setup can not create files on your startup drive" then it says "If
> you have HPFS ormNTFS, you most create a MS-DOS boot partition" which I can't
> since is already two I assueme cause I try to do it but I can't. When I try
> to delete the extended dos partition I get and error saying "Cannot delete
> Extended dod partition while logical drives exist" the if I try num3 delete
> logical drive I get an error saying "no logical drive defined"
> and if I try to create a logical drive I get "All available space in the
> extended dos partition is assigned to logical drives" "no logical drives
> defined"
> What can I do? can not start my pc . Please Help me! thanks
> --
> Pao Pao

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

>
> Logical partitions must be removed before the Extended partition can be
> removed before the Primary partition can be removed if on the same disk.
>
> --
>
> Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
> Conflicts start where information lacks.
> http://basconotw.mvps.org/

The OP's problem is not the order in which he tried to remove
partitions but the tool he used. Fdisk.exe (a DOS tool) cannot
remove NTFS drives located inside the extended partition.

 

[Joe At Work]

Check here:
http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/

"Paola" <Paola@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:F8C68BB5-6371-44E7-8DE6-BD3DB14AF9B1@microsoft.com...
> Ok the xp was initially installed from a 98SE but i make a quick ntfs so
> make
> a small drive when I try to install the sp2 it was not enough room so I
> try
> to reinstall the xp to the full ntfs but I get stuck with this, cause I
> delete the primary partition first so the 98 get lost computer not start I
> know I messed up...

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Your reply is unclear. Can you or can you not boot the machine
with your WinXP CD?

Is this an original WinXP CD or is it a copy?


"Paola" <Paola@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:E231BD57-5CBD-44CA-A797-E3A52003CB71@microsoft.com...
> My problem with my cd is that it not work in dos. first it does not boot
> up,
> second if I run it with the setup command it say that it not work on dos
> what
> should i do?
> --
> Pao Pao
>
>
> "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
>
>>
>> "Paola" <Paola@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:AA652E71-71E9-4FFD-A486-664DB1AEBD21@microsoft.com...
>> > I'm trying to reformat my HD and I can't not get rid of the Extended
>> > dos
>> > partition. I have a Primary dos and an extended dos. I can delete the
>> > primary
>> > but not the extended and when I try to do a setup in the primary I get
>> > an
>> > error "setup can not create files on your startup drive" then it says
>> > "If
>> > you have HPFS ormNTFS, you most create a MS-DOS boot partition" which I
>> > can't
>> > since is already two I assueme cause I try to do it but I can't. When I
>> > try
>> > to delete the extended dos partition I get and error saying "Cannot
>> > delete
>> > Extended dod partition while logical drives exist" the if I try num3
>> > delete
>> > logical drive I get an error saying "no logical drive defined"
>> > and if I try to create a logical drive I get "All available space in
>> > the
>> > extended dos partition is assigned to logical drives" "no logical
>> > drives
>> > defined"
>> > What can I do? can not start my pc . Please Help me! thanks
>> > --
>> > Pao Pao
>>
>> It is a well-known limitation of fdisk.exe that it cannot remove
>> NTFS drives in the extended partition. This is because you are
>> trying to use DOS tools for a disk partitioned under Windows.
>> Stop using DOS boot disks and follow Malke's recommendation
>> instead.
>>
>>
>>

 

[John John]

Sorry, but I have to ask, why on earth put a user who is clearly a
novice through the complications of building a PE disk at this stage?
And secondly, what will the PE disk do that can't be done using much
easier to use tools or methods?

John

Joe At Work wrote:

> Check here:
> http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/
>
> "Paola" <Paola@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:F8C68BB5-6371-44E7-8DE6-BD3DB14AF9B1@microsoft.com...
>
>>Ok the xp was initially installed from a 98SE but i make a quick ntfs so
>>make
>>a small drive when I try to install the sp2 it was not enough room so I
>>try
>>to reinstall the xp to the full ntfs but I get stuck with this, cause I
>>delete the primary partition first so the 98 get lost computer not start I
>>know I messed up...
>
>
>

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

"John John" <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message
news:%239WiG0JwHHA.3684@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Sorry, but I have to ask, why on earth put a user who is clearly a novice
> through the complications of building a PE disk at this stage? And
> secondly, what will the PE disk do that can't be done using much easier to
> use tools or methods?
>
> John
>

Indeed. It takes several hours to build a PE boot CD. If the
OP for some reason cannot delete his partitions while
installing WinXP then delpart.exe (http://www.russelltexas.com/delpart.htm)
will do it for him in no time at all under DOS.

 

[Paola]

thank you guys for the suggestions which I learn some things I did not knew.
I trying to fix my mess the novice way, I set and format the primary
partition and I install windows 98 in that I run the xp setup and I delete
the ntfs partition and I install windows in the primary partition and I did
not set that to NTFS I leave it as FAT32 I hope I do not have any more
problems thanks for everything guys you are nice bye
--
Pao Pao


"John John" wrote:

> Sorry, but I have to ask, why on earth put a user who is clearly a
> novice through the complications of building a PE disk at this stage?
> And secondly, what will the PE disk do that can't be done using much
> easier to use tools or methods?
>
> John
>
> Joe At Work wrote:
>
> > Check here:
> > http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/
> >
> > "Paola" <Paola@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:F8C68BB5-6371-44E7-8DE6-BD3DB14AF9B1@microsoft.com...
> >
> >>Ok the xp was initially installed from a 98SE but i make a quick ntfs so
> >>make
> >>a small drive when I try to install the sp2 it was not enough room so I
> >>try
> >>to reinstall the xp to the full ntfs but I get stuck with this, cause I
> >>delete the primary partition first so the 98 get lost computer not start I
> >>know I messed up...
> >
> >
> >
>

 

[Lil' Dave]

"Paola" <Paola@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:AA652E71-71E9-4FFD-A486-664DB1AEBD21@microsoft.com...
> I'm trying to reformat my HD and I can't not get rid of the Extended dos
> partition. I have a Primary dos and an extended dos. I can delete the
> primary
> but not the extended and when I try to do a setup in the primary I get an
> error "setup can not create files on your startup drive" then it says "If
> you have HPFS ormNTFS, you most create a MS-DOS boot partition" which I
> can't
> since is already two I assueme cause I try to do it but I can't. When I
> try
> to delete the extended dos partition I get and error saying "Cannot delete
> Extended dod partition while logical drives exist" the if I try num3
> delete
> logical drive I get an error saying "no logical drive defined"
> and if I try to create a logical drive I get "All available space in the
> extended dos partition is assigned to logical drives" "no logical drives
> defined"
> What can I do? can not start my pc . Please Help me! thanks
> --
> Pao Pao

Deleting an NTFS logical drive with fdisk is not possible. Deleting an
extended partition with an NTFS logical drive on it is not possible with
fdisk. Deleting an NTFS primary partition with fdisk is possible. These
are old questions from windows NT times.

There are many solutions, fdisk is not one of them.
Dave

 

[Patti MacLeod]

Hi Paola,

Prior to attempting to boot from the XP install CD, did you ensure that the
CDROM was set as first boot device in your computer's BIOS? If so and you
still cannot boot from the CDROM for some unknown reason, you still have a
couple of choices to run XP setup by first booting from floppy(ies):

1) Download the file to create the XP Setup Disks (ensure that you select
the file appropriate to the install CD that you have.....Home or Pro,
integrated Service Pack or original release). Once the file is downloaded,
have six formatted floppies ready to create the set of setup disks.
How to obtain Windows XP Setup boot disks
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310994

2) Add the file called Smartdrv.exe to your WIN98 startup floppy
disk.....this file is contained on the WIN98 install CD within, if I remember
correctly, the tools\oldmsdos directory
When you've booted from the floppy disk and are at the A: prompt, put your
XP install CD in the drive and then key in smartdrv.exe and hit ENTER
When smartdrv has loaded and you're back at the A: prompt, change to the
drive letter for the CD drive. Navigate to the i386 folder on the XP install
CD and then key in WINNT and hit ENTER. Follow any further prompts.

During the XP Setup routine, you can delete the existing partitions and
create new ones.

Just for future reference, to delete an NTFS formatted logical drive using a
WIN98 startup floppy disk, you could add delpart.exe to the startup floppy
disk
http://www.juliatexas.com/delpart/delpart.htm
After booting from the floppy disk and at the A: prompt, key in delpart.exe
and hit ENTER
Use the Delpart utility to delete the partition.



Regards,

--
Patti MacLeod
Microsoft MVP - Windows Shell/User


"Paola" wrote:

> My problem with my cd is that it not work in dos. first it does not boot up,
> second if I run it with the setup command it say that it not work on dos what
> should i do?
> --
> Pao Pao
>
>
> "Pegasus (MVP)" wrote:
>
> >
> > "Paola" <Paola@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > news:AA652E71-71E9-4FFD-A486-664DB1AEBD21@microsoft.com...
> > > I'm trying to reformat my HD and I can't not get rid of the Extended dos
> > > partition. I have a Primary dos and an extended dos. I can delete the
> > > primary
> > > but not the extended and when I try to do a setup in the primary I get an
> > > error "setup can not create files on your startup drive" then it says "If
> > > you have HPFS ormNTFS, you most create a MS-DOS boot partition" which I
> > > can't
> > > since is already two I assueme cause I try to do it but I can't. When I
> > > try
> > > to delete the extended dos partition I get and error saying "Cannot delete
> > > Extended dod partition while logical drives exist" the if I try num3
> > > delete
> > > logical drive I get an error saying "no logical drive defined"
> > > and if I try to create a logical drive I get "All available space in the
> > > extended dos partition is assigned to logical drives" "no logical drives
> > > defined"
> > > What can I do? can not start my pc . Please Help me! thanks
> > > --
> > > Pao Pao
> >
> > It is a well-known limitation of fdisk.exe that it cannot remove
> > NTFS drives in the extended partition. This is because you are
> > trying to use DOS tools for a disk partitioned under Windows.
> > Stop using DOS boot disks and follow Malke's recommendation
> > instead.
> >
> >
> >

 

[Brian A.]

"Pegasus (MVP)" <I.can@fly.com> wrote in message
news:u0aggvJwHHA.4592@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> >
>> Logical partitions must be removed before the Extended partition can be removed
>> before the Primary partition can be removed if on the same disk.
>>
>> --
>>
>> Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
>> Conflicts start where information lacks.
>> http://basconotw.mvps.org/
>
> The OP's problem is not the order in which he tried to remove
> partitions but the tool he used. Fdisk.exe (a DOS tool) cannot
> remove NTFS drives located inside the extended partition.
>

It would be if it were to be FAT, but then the OP shouldn't be able to remove the
Primary if the Extended is still present. I won't dispute that the Extended was in
all probability NTFS due to the circumstances. The OP in another response mentioned
what appears to be XP was installed as an upgrade to 98SE, yet not everything is
clear and there's no mention of any re/format during the upgrade.


--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[Frank\(FL\)]

Paola wrote:
> I'm trying to reformat my HD and I can't not get rid of the Extended
> dos partition. I have a Primary dos and an extended dos. I can delete
> the primary but not the extended and when I try to do a setup in the
> primary I get an error "setup can not create files on your startup
> drive" then it says "If you have HPFS ormNTFS, you most create a
> MS-DOS boot partition" which I can't since is already two I assueme
> cause I try to do it but I can't. When I try to delete the extended
> dos partition I get and error saying "Cannot delete Extended dod
> partition while logical drives exist" the if I try num3 delete
> logical drive I get an error saying "no logical drive defined"
> and if I try to create a logical drive I get "All available space in
> the extended dos partition is assigned to logical drives" "no logical
> drives defined"
> What can I do? can not start my pc . Please Help me! thanks

There are a dozen posts in this thread, do this, do that, one can't
do something else. Just go to the HDD manufacturer and download
their diognostic tool and then write zeros to the disk. Then proceed
as one wishes.

 

[Lil' Dave]

"Frank(FL)" <bbunny@bqik.net> wrote in message
news:OR$IhLSwHHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> Paola wrote:
>> I'm trying to reformat my HD and I can't not get rid of the Extended
>> dos partition. I have a Primary dos and an extended dos. I can delete
>> the primary but not the extended and when I try to do a setup in the
>> primary I get an error "setup can not create files on your startup
>> drive" then it says "If you have HPFS ormNTFS, you most create a
>> MS-DOS boot partition" which I can't since is already two I assueme
>> cause I try to do it but I can't. When I try to delete the extended
>> dos partition I get and error saying "Cannot delete Extended dod
>> partition while logical drives exist" the if I try num3 delete
>> logical drive I get an error saying "no logical drive defined"
>> and if I try to create a logical drive I get "All available space in
>> the extended dos partition is assigned to logical drives" "no logical
>> drives defined"
>> What can I do? can not start my pc . Please Help me! thanks
>
> There are a dozen posts in this thread, do this, do that, one can't
> do something else. Just go to the HDD manufacturer and download
> their diognostic tool and then write zeros to the disk. Then proceed
> as one wishes.
>

That's one fix. Allows use of fdisk afterwards on a clean hard drive.
Manufacturer's diagnostic tools for their hard drive should always be
available on bootable media. Those that work inside windows aren't
applicable here as one example.
Dave

 

[John John]

Frank(FL) wrote:

> Paola wrote:
>
>>I'm trying to reformat my HD and I can't not get rid of the Extended
>>dos partition. I have a Primary dos and an extended dos. I can delete
>>the primary but not the extended and when I try to do a setup in the
>>primary I get an error "setup can not create files on your startup
>>drive" then it says "If you have HPFS ormNTFS, you most create a
>>MS-DOS boot partition" which I can't since is already two I assueme
>>cause I try to do it but I can't. When I try to delete the extended
>>dos partition I get and error saying "Cannot delete Extended dod
>>partition while logical drives exist" the if I try num3 delete
>>logical drive I get an error saying "no logical drive defined"
>>and if I try to create a logical drive I get "All available space in
>>the extended dos partition is assigned to logical drives" "no logical
>>drives defined"
>>What can I do? can not start my pc . Please Help me! thanks
>
>
> There are a dozen posts in this thread, do this, do that, one can't
> do something else. Just go to the HDD manufacturer and download
> their diognostic tool and then write zeros to the disk. Then proceed
> as one wishes.

That one would fall under the category of "How to turn a 10 second task
into one that will take hours and hours to complete"!

John

 

[Plato]

=?Utf-8?B?UGFvbGE=?= wrote:
>
> I'm trying to reformat my HD and I can't not get rid of the Extended dos
> partition. I have a Primary dos and an extended dos. I can delete the primary

Use delpart:
http://www.bootdisk.com/plan10/delpart.zip

--
http://www.bootdisk.com/

 

[Lil' Dave]

"John John" <audetweld@nbnet.nb.ca> wrote in message
news:e6bhTMYwHHA.1212@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> Frank(FL) wrote:
>
>> Paola wrote:
>>
>>>I'm trying to reformat my HD and I can't not get rid of the Extended
>>>dos partition. I have a Primary dos and an extended dos. I can delete
>>>the primary but not the extended and when I try to do a setup in the
>>>primary I get an error "setup can not create files on your startup
>>>drive" then it says "If you have HPFS ormNTFS, you most create a
>>>MS-DOS boot partition" which I can't since is already two I assueme
>>>cause I try to do it but I can't. When I try to delete the extended
>>>dos partition I get and error saying "Cannot delete Extended dod
>>>partition while logical drives exist" the if I try num3 delete
>>>logical drive I get an error saying "no logical drive defined"
>>>and if I try to create a logical drive I get "All available space in
>>>the extended dos partition is assigned to logical drives" "no logical
>>>drives defined"
>>>What can I do? can not start my pc . Please Help me! thanks
>>
>>
>> There are a dozen posts in this thread, do this, do that, one can't
>> do something else. Just go to the HDD manufacturer and download
>> their diognostic tool and then write zeros to the disk. Then proceed
>> as one wishes.
>
> That one would fall under the category of "How to turn a 10 second task
> into one that will take hours and hours to complete"!
>
> John

Yep, one of many solutions. Probably the smartest one in terms of long term
usage after the fact (my experiences). I wouldn't use fdisk to partition
though, even if the end desired result was a FAT32 partition(s).
Dave