Reformatting

[Fish]

After installing Mandrake7, I've decided I don't like it and would like to reformat and return to Win98. However, I try using a win98 boot disk and at the C: prompt I type- FORMAT C:/S -and it says "Format not supported on C, Format terminating."
What am I doing wrong and what's the best way to reformat?


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You can get more with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone.

[sleddog]

Well, I don't know how you installed Mandrake, but I image it created a Linux ext2 filesystem. You need to remove that filesystem and create a FAT32 for DOS/Windows.

Try running DOS fdisk and see if it can delete the partition. There was also a link posted here a few times for a utility that can remove any filesystem -- I'm sure Pete or someone will be along with it.

Linux has its own fdisk for partioning drives. At a command prompt as root you type:

fdisk /dev/hda

That's assuming that you're dealing with the primary disk (master on first channel). Now I'm not saying you should proceed here.... I don't know what will happen if you try to delete the partition of a running system... something ugly I'm sure. If DOS fdisk can't do it, get that utility.....



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sleddog
[sleddog.f2s.com] (http://www.sleddog.f2s.com)

[Rick]

To Remove Linux and install Win98 you do need to reformat.
But First you must remove the EXT2 file system.
Using Win98 boot disk.
Boot without cd-rom support from the boot menu.
Then run FDISK.
In Fdisk use the Remove drive/partition .
Remove all the NON DOS partitions.
Use the Change drive to inspect your other drives as needed and remove NON dos partitions from them as well.

After all the EXT2 partition are removed .
You can then partition the drives to the win98/dos partitions to your liking.

After using Fdisk and creating the partitions.
All you will need to do is Reboot and format the drives as needed.


ONE Note.
IF you have an older Compaq.
Do NOT remove the 12 meg non-dos partition.
Normally listed as partition #1
This is the bios setup partition.
If removed you will not be able to access setup using F10

[Fish]

Remove all the NON DOS partitions.
Use the Change drive to inspect your other drives as needed and remove NON dos partitions from them as well.

I'm very new to this. How do I know what's DOS/NonDOS?

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You can get more with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone.

[Rick]

When you run Fdisk.
One of the options is to View partition information for the drive.
In that screen Fdisk will list the drive partitions and what format they are.

Just make note of them .(dos, primary, non-dos, and extended)
The press ESC to return to the main menu.
Then use the change drive (If you have more than one Hard drive installed to view its settings also.)
Again return to the main menu and go into the section Remove drive partitions.
Remove ALL none dos partitions. ( Unless you have a compaq see note above)

[rmac]

Go here and print it out before you start
FDISK AND FORMAT http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q255/8/67.ASP

[Fish]

Please help. I thought I deleted EXT2,but, obviously not. I went in and fdisk and deleted the only 2 partitions I seen. Then I reformatted succesfully. Now when I put in my 98 System Restore CD, this comes up:

Grub version 0.5.95 (639k lower/64384k upper memory)
(minimal Bash-like line editing is supported. For the first word,TAB lists possible command completions. Anywhere else TAB lists the possible completions of a device/filename)
grub>

This sure looks like I didn't get rid of Linux to me. Can someone please tell me what to do? jic you need to know anything about the other PC: It's a Gateway 366, 64MB, only 1HD, no sound/video card. Just the basic 1st PC. What do I do after I reformat and it comes to the A: prompt? And what option do I do as far as Creating partition or logical drive or set active partition etc?

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You can get more with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone.




[This message has been edited by Fish (edited 04-05-2001).]

[Fish]

After going to fdisk and looking at what I have now, it says:
1 Partition...Status A...Type: Primary DOS, System: FAT32, mgbytes: 4110
Usage: 100% if this helps any.

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You can get more with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone.

[Fish]

NM, I just did a fdisk and reformat a couple more times and don't know what I did different, but, it's all done now. Thanks for the help all.

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You can get more with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone.

[Rick]

Fish.
For future Reference.
The message you were getting is the same you would have gotten had you done Fdisk and format after LILO had been installed. ( LI_ on the screen)
And until you install the O/S (ie:msdos.sys IO.sys ) you would have gotten the same thing.
It has something to do with the way the O/S effects the MBR ( Master Boot record) on the primary drive

[Fish]

Thanks Rick, that explains a lot. I wasn't used to Fdisk/Reformatting and seeing anything like that. (Linux) Appreciate your help so much, as I wouldn't have been able to complete it w/o you. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

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You can get more with a kind word and a gun than you can with a kind word alone.