Remove Drive Partitions

[taber1205]

I have a second computer where the hard drive was apparently partitioned into (don't laugh) three 2 GB hard drives. I would like to remove the partition and then reinstall the operating system (WIN98) so I have clean system to work with. I am not sure where to start with removing the partitions. Each drive is a FAT drive.

Thanks for any help.

 

[prunejuice]

Partition Magic 7 is an excellent utility and well worth the money.
Easy to use too.

 

[pyritechips]

<img src="http://forums.techguy.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=692325">

Hello taber! If i may so bold, I have written a simple partitioning guide based on the Win98 boot floppy and standard fdisk function. It is focused upon allowing for 2 partitions, but can be easily altered to allow for only one. If you are interested you can see it here:

http://members.shaw.ca/pyritechips/JimsGuide.htm

Good luck and post back with any queries.

 

[taber1205]

Using FDISK, I cannot delete primary DOS partition on drive 1 when a Extended DOS Partition exists. What do you think?

 

[rugrat]

First delete any logical drives in the extended DOS partition, next, delete the extended DOS partition then delete the primary DOS partition. Once that is done, create the primary DOS partition then make it active. Reboot and at the A prompt type format C:
Note the space between format and C:
You should then be able to reboot, start the computer with cd rom support and load windows. Switch to the E: prompt and type setup.

Let us know

 

[taber1205]

Everything was hunky dory until the C: finished reformating. Last time I looked at the screen it was 82% complete and now it says "Trying to recover allocation unit 1,550,431." The computer has been sitting at this point for some 20 to 30 minutes now. I'm starting to get a little concerned.

 

[taber1205]

After 2 to 3 hours of the screen reading "Trying to recover allocation unit" if finally changed to:

Not Ready
Format terminated.
A:\>

I am unsure how to proceed.

Thanks for any help.

 

[rugrat]

Not sure but, I would try to format again and see if the problem persists.

Let us know

 

[pyritechips]

Hello again taber:

Please read this:

http://www.experts-exchange.com/Hardware/Q_10177609.html

 

[taber1205]

From what I can tell from the link, it appears that the hard drive is damaged and/or has a bad sector on it. I did try to format a second time and seem to have the same problem. I watched the screen closely this time and the formatting got to 98% before the "trying to recover allocation unit 1,541,319" message came up. So, my options are thus:

1. Chuck the system out the window. (It is an old Packard Bell).

2. The link suggested get Norton Disk Doctor. I'm assuming this is NOT an option for me at this juncture since I'm in the middle of reformatting the hard drives. Does anyone know a way around this?

3. Find a hard drive either used or new and replace it. Maybe I'll check at a local used computer part store or on eBay if I decide to go this route.

Anyone have any advice on these options?

 

[pyritechips]

Did you try scandisk?

 

[JohnWill]

Your disk is almost certainly on it's way out. Being a 6gig disk, I'd have to say it's a few years old, and probably doesn't owe you anything. If you really want to revive that system, I suggest you get a new disk. Even if you get that one formatted, it won't last long, why put all that work into a failing drive?

 

[taber1205]

I didn't try scandisk because I didn't know there was a problem until I went to try to reformat the drive. Unless there is a scandisk that can be run from DOS, I don't think that's an option now.

I think this system is going to be used for parts.

Thank you to each of you for your help. I feel like I came to a successful conclusion without pulling my hair out in distress.