2 things:
1. i am trying to format my hard drive (by formatting it through my computer) and install Win XP Pro x64.
but i can't seem to format it, i keep getting the following message listed below:
2. earlier this week (Wednesday) my computer was attacked security tool, i just thought i would mention that if it helps.
Windows cannot format this drive. Quit any disk utilities or other programs that are using this drive, and make sure that no window is displaying the contents of the drive, then try formatting again
i'm confused ???... i was certain that there was'nt any other programs or utilities running, and i'm not exactly sure what to do.
thanks,
zlain
Are you doing it from Windows or from the XP installation disc? The installer gives you 3 options when installing windows. Wipe the hard drive quickly (make windows think it's blank and just write your data over the top), completely purge all data from the hard drive, or install windows over the top of the existing copy (if you want to keep your documents, wouldn't recommend it to be honest).
If you're doing it from windows I don't think it would work as formatting requires that the hard drive is completely free from any access. So just whack the XP disc in from boot, then choose quick format. I think it's the top option.
thank you for your reply.
from windows.
I'm not trying to keep my documents, I'm trying to go from win xp 32bit to win xp pro 64bit
The best way to install Windows is to do a fresh install. Boot from the DVD/CD rom drive. The install program should ask how you wish to proceed. Tell it to do a clean install. The installer should ask if you want to format your drive. Tell it yes, it will take more time, but will be worth it. When the format is finished, the installation should begin automatically.
I'm back now.
formatted & installed. :)
i did'nt realise it worked that way...
Enjoy. 8)
Nice work, enjoy the 64 bit goodness
now i have another problem.
it appears my DVD/CD-Rom Drive isn't appearing on my computer, but it wasn't like this from the beginning.
windows cant seem to load the load the driver, it thinks it's either corrupted or missing..
i tried installing a new driver for but it did not work.
any ideas??
Go into device manager, right click the DVD drive and goto uninstall. If it gives you an option to delete the driver don't check it. Then when it's done refreshing (a lot) press the scan for hardware button on the toolbar. If that doesn't solve it then try again but delete the driver (if it gives the option) and use a driver from the web. Device manager should tell you what it's called. If it doesn't or is generic and you have a prebuilt machine, look on the manufacturers website. If you built it yourself, well I'd imagine you'd know what DVD drive you have then. :D
thank you, I'll try that.
it's a pre-built machine, but I chose all the parts. :)
A friend of mine had this problem back in the XP days. I used the device manager just like PG. The difference is I did not do anything except scan for a new driver. This worked. Download.com has a program called TechTracker. It is a freeware program they wrote/had written to check for new versions of all sorts of stuff. It may help.
The "XP days"? People STILL use XP. A lot of people. A lot of people even downgraded from Vista because they thought it sucked. And you think that the Age of XP is over?! I have three computers, one is the one I have Terragen on, one is the one I usually post from, and the third is just sitting there, under my bed. If one of my other computers dies and my laptop is broken, I just use the one under my bed.
Computer 1: desktop, XP, TG0.9, TG2
Computer 2: laptop, XP, IE, FireFox
Computer 3: desktop, 98, found at garage sale for $3, previous owner didn't wipe hard drive, I got a lot of freebies...
Just getting a new machine at work to replace the currently leased one. OS: Windows XP 32 bit. Gonna be at least 2012 till we see Windows 7 around here...
I use Vista. I like Vista. He's using Windows 7 RC. He loves it. He had many problems using XP. My friend is not very computer savvy, and his kids don't listen and mess up his computers. 'Windows 7', he says, 'makes it easy to correct things my kids do.'
Also, XP is around nine years old. In computer 'ages' this is quite old. Good luck.
Really? My friend tried Windows 7 Beta, and he said it crashed all the time and it sucked becuse of it. He switched back to XP after that.
Quote from: TheBlackHole on October 14, 2009, 06:13:56 PM
Really? My friend tried Windows 7 Beta, and he said it crashed all the time and it sucked becuse of it. He switched back to XP after that.
That could be true in certain cases but the overall majority of new users have an overall smoother experience over Vista and the reviews have been more in favor. One can not base Windows 7 as bad based on select smaller cases.
Windows 7 RC is quite stable. Most of the Vista drivers work with it. Many of the major hardware companies have drivers now specifically for Windows 7. Also, there's a small buzz about DirectX 11 in the game forums. I have only seen a couple of these, so this is mostly hearsay. What I have heard/read is that even more realistic shaders are available. I play Tiger Woods 2006 often. It's a nice looking game. The new shaders may really blur the line between filmed real golf and CG golf. There may even be gnats. ;D
Anyway, October 22 is not far away. By November 1 there should be a consensus of how good Windows 7 is.
My boss hated Vista, but he's stubborn.
I'll upgrade to windows 7 64 bit later on....
I still have windows XP pro (32bit) at my job, in one of those dell mini-towers, I'm hoping sooner or later they'll replace the one I have now with a better machine, hopefully with a i7 system, with windows 7. 8)
The only thing I do not like in Vista is all the 'are you sure' stuff. But it's such a minor thing. There's a way to create rules so this does not happen for programs you often use. I'm just too lazy to create the rules.