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11 Replies Last post: Jul 12, 2007 8:33 PM by littleims10

littleims10

43 posts since
Jun 26, 2007

Jul 11, 2007 9:44 PM

Trouble Reinstalling Windows Vista

how do i format my hard drives without a windows disk???
Either that or how do i clear my hard drives completely?

mphenterprises

8,757 posts since
Feb 19, 2007

1. Jul 12, 2007 1:25 AM

in response to: littleims10

Hi Little. There are a couple of ways:

There are programs out there that can reformat a drive on the fly. I cannot think of any of the top of my head but I know they exist

You could open Windows Explorer and Right Click on the drive you want to clear and click "Format..."

***If the drive you want to reformat is the Boot partition, you will be given a prompt that you will have to restart the computer for the changes to take effect and when you do restart, you will no longer have an Operation System.

The safest and most effective way to reformat a drive is by using the Windows CDs. You shouldn't have any problems since you just bought Vista, right? :wink:

This is my personal Dream PC: http://forums.pcworld.com/blogs/mphenterprises/2007/12/21/my-gift-to-myself

littleims10

43 posts since
Jun 26, 2007

2. Jul 12, 2007 12:43 PM

in response to: littleims10

well i only ask because i am having a major problem with windows. I have a LEGAL copy of both windows vista upgrade, and windows xp pro. I have ran into a couple problems with my windows installation and decided to reinstall windows. Now when i reinstall vista (using the method of a clean install with just the upgrade disk) the clean install works great but the uprgade part always fails. I just want to clear out my hard drives and start fresh but nothing seems to work. Also when i try to do an install with the xp disk, it goes through the beginning of the installation but then it will not recognize the xp disk. They ARE legal copies and i can prove that if you'd like. I just cant seem to get windows working with my computer. Should i try deleting my RAID array?

rgreen4

3,442 posts since
Oct 22, 2006

3. Jul 12, 2007 1:04 PM

in response to: littleims10

Reformat

Littleims - you said that you did a clean install and then an upgrade. Are talking about the process covered in Paul Thurot's website for a clean installation of Vista?

When you say the upgrade part fails, at what point? What are the messages the machine is putting on the screen?

Raid could be the culprit. I would try one more time with installing exacty the way it is covered in the article, and format the drive when you do it. It does work, and I see no reason for it not to on single drive.

mphenterprises

8,757 posts since
Feb 19, 2007

4. Jul 12, 2007 1:10 PM

in response to: littleims10

LOL...you do not have preface anything anymore lil LOL :lol:

I am not that strong with Vista installs as of yet. I am still using XP; however, RGreen is an expert in Vista in my opinion. I will change the title of this thread to get his, and any one else that may be able to help, attention.

This is my personal Dream PC: http://forums.pcworld.com/blogs/mphenterprises/2007/12/21/my-gift-to-myself

littleims10

43 posts since
Jun 26, 2007

5. Jul 12, 2007 1:24 PM

in response to: littleims10

the upgrade portion of the clean vista install fails right at the point when it's completeing the install. I have also tried upgrading to vista from xp and it does the same thing.

littleims10

43 posts since
Jun 26, 2007

6. Jul 12, 2007 1:46 PM

in response to: littleims10

ok now i just tried installing xp and it told me to restart. Upon restart the screen says "NTLDR is missing Press any key to restart" :'(

AuroraDizon

3,686 posts since
Jul 30, 2006

7. Jul 12, 2007 3:29 PM

in response to: littleims10

When I had that problem my drives were not properly connected to my computer. Also try a different windows disc if available.

mphenterprises

8,757 posts since
Feb 19, 2007

8. Jul 12, 2007 4:47 PM

in response to: littleims10

Hi Little. Is the CD scratched or damaged in any way?

This is my personal Dream PC: http://forums.pcworld.com/blogs/mphenterprises/2007/12/21/my-gift-to-myself

littleims10

43 posts since
Jun 26, 2007

9. Jul 12, 2007 7:04 PM

in response to: littleims10

ok. i think i got it working good. What i tried was first deleting my RAID array, then i unplugged all the hard drives that i wasnt using for the vista install. Then i installed with paul thurrott's method, then I plugged in my other hard drives. Windows seems to be working good now (FINALLY). Thanks everybody for all your help and support. Just think, if it werent for all of you here in these forums, i would still be home with a broken power supply thinking i have a completely broken pc. Thanks to all, hopefully this is my last post for help with my pc. :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D

rgreen4

3,442 posts since
Oct 22, 2006

10. Jul 12, 2007 7:28 PM

in response to: littleims10

Forums

Ah, but now that you have had experience is trying different things and getting the machine to work, hang around a while, you may be able to help others. Besides, its always interesting to trade stories with other interested computer fans.

littleims10

43 posts since
Jun 26, 2007

11. Jul 12, 2007 8:33 PM

in response to: littleims10

true that! i guess i'll stick around and help others:P

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Jul 11, 2007 9:44 PM

Trouble Reinstalling Windows Vista

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