[RESOLVED] Partition won't format

[judge john]

Hi,
I've been trying to format one of my partitions and it just won't let me. The hard drive in question is split into 2. One partition has Windows 7 RC which is my primary OS and the other had Vista. As I don't need Vista anymore I tried to format the partition but it just says 'unable to format'.
I have tried to do it by right clicking on the partition in my computer, using devise manager, and using a partition manager program with no luck. I have also tried to manually delete the files but about half of them won't let me as I don't have 'permission'. And it won't let me take ownership of them.
any ideas?

Thanks, John

[photolady]

Are you using Disk Management in Windows 7?

Right click "My Computer" chose Manage, when the window opens, click on Disk Management in the list. There you should be able to format and/or delete the partition that Vista is on.

[SuperSparks]

It'll be because the boot files are on the partition that you are trying to format. There isn't much that you can do short of zapping the whole drive and reinstalling Win 7. Alternatively, leave the boot files and just delete the following folders:

Program Files
Program Files (x86) - you only have this if you are running the 64-bit edition
Users
Windows
Perf Logs
Program Data

[judge john]

potolady i have tried that with no luck.

So i guess your right about the boot files SuperSparks. I have gone to some length to try and delete as much as possible, but things such as IE and other windows componets (calender etc) just won't go. and even with so little left 136GB is still used somehow. So i need to get rid of that.
I am open to re-installing Win7 but i'm not sure how i would go about it. Would i just boot up the installation CD and format it when it gives me the option, or would i have to install Win7 on a different HD and then format my old vista and Win7 installation from in that?

Thanks, John

[photolady]

When you install 7 all you do is the same as when you installed it to start with. Set your boot order to boot from the cd/dvd rom drive, with the disk in the drive, save and exit the bios. When you see the words "press any key to boot from the cd/dvd" press any key. Eventually you should be given an option as to where to install windows 7, you should delete the Vista partition first, then create a new one, it will continue and format the drive. Then it will install windows 7.

[Midknyte]

You could use a third party partitioner like GParted. It's part of UBCD. Click on the link in my sig to download the iso.

[judge john]

Well taking what you said i thought i would try and format the vista partition using my Win7 CD, just before you have to install. That worked, no doubt as it was outside of windows, but rather predictably it also removed the boot drivers for Win7. So i then ran the Win7 CD once more and used repair which fixed the drivers.

So thanks very much, all is fixed.

John

[photolady]

Glad to hear it is working now. Sorry, too, I should have mentioned you would probably lose your boot options and have to repair windows7 to fix that.