How to format a partition in Vista. - Overclock.net

Nubcake · 05-18-08

Hi Overclock.net,

I'm new here and I've been checking out around the site, pretty neat thing y'all got going on.

I have a 160gb hard drive on one of my computers and it has two partitions "C:" and "D:". Partition C: has Vista on it and Partition D: has XP on it, and I've decided to get rid of "D:" with XP. The problem is, I can't figure out how to format it! I've tried through partition magic, but that doesn't work on Vista, I've tried Disc Management in Vista but I get some error that doesn't allow me to do it. I've also tried to format it via my OEM Vista disc, but that doesn't allow me to do it either.

I don't mind if I have to do a full reformat, as long as I am pretty much gauranted that it'll work.

Thanks in advance.

Edit* Something I noticed is on the XP partition, there is a bootsector.bak file, that I think might interfere with something.

3XPeriment · 05-18-08

Hey, welcome to OCN! Hope you enjoy it here. I was in that exact situation a while ago. Had XP/Vista dual boot, but decided to get rid of XP. I downloaded the Gparted partition manager to CD, booted from it, and did everything in there. Should work. Worked for me. Plus, it's free.

3XPeriment · 05-18-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nubcake

Hi Overclock.net,

I'm new here and I've been checking out around the site, pretty neat thing y'all got going on.

I have a 160gb hard drive on one of my computers and it has two partitions "C:" and "D:". Partition C: has Vista on it and Partition D: has XP on it, and I've decided to get rid of "D:" with XP. The problem is, I can't figure out how to format it! I've tried through partition magic, but that doesn't work on Vista, I've tried Disc Management in Vista but I get some error that doesn't allow me to do it. I've also tried to format it via my OEM Vista disc, but that doesn't allow me to do it either.

I don't mind if I have to do a full reformat, as long as I am pretty much gauranted that it'll work.

Thanks in advance.

Edit* Something I noticed is on the XP partition, there is a bootsector.bak file, that I think might interfere with something.

A quick Google search on bootsector.bak doesn't really return any major results. Did you mean bootsect.bak?

Nubcake · 05-18-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3XPeriment

A quick Google search on bootsector.bak doesn't really return any major results. Did you mean bootsect.bak?

Oops yeah, was a bit too lazy to go back and really.

Ill try the Gplus thing, its the one offa sourceforge right? Is there anything i should be weary of while using Gplus?
lol, looks like im still lazy/sleepy :P

+rep

3XPeriment · 05-18-08

Ya, here's the download link for GParted. Really, all I can say is make sure you delete the right partition. GParted is an opensource project, and it's relatively mature by now. It really should fix your problem. Oh, and it's always a good idea to back up your data when you mess with partitions. Good luck!

Nubcake · 05-18-08

Edit* this D: partition might actually be vista, not really sure, but still needs to be gone.

As for BOOTSECT.DAK is there anything I should watch for with that?

3XPeriment · 05-18-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nubcake

Edit* this D: partition might actually be vista, not really sure, but still needs to be gone.

As for BOOTSECT.DAK is there anything I should watch for with that?

Did some preliminary research, and it seems that that bootsect.bak file shouldn't be a problem. Are you planning to do a clean install or just delete your partition? I'm assuming you plan to just delete the partition and keep the OS intact, right?

Nubcake · 05-18-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3XPeriment

Did some preliminary research, and it seems that that bootsect.bak file shouldn't be a problem. Are you planning to do a clean install or just delete your partition? I'm assuming you plan to just delete the partition and keep the OS intact, right?

I'm keeping C: in fact and formatting D: to use as storage.

Lemondrips · 05-18-08

This has nothing to do with what you asked, but i most go OT your name and picture are hillarious.

Nubcake · 05-18-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lemondrips

This has nothing to do with what you asked, but i most go OT your name and picture are hillarious.

Thanks, I do put in alot of effort when choosing a name/avatar for a new site :P

Also, I'm taking a dive, if it doesn't work, guesse I gotta run down to the local office depot and get an overly priced sata drive lol.

05-18-08	#1 (permalink)
Nubcake News Fiend Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 499 Rep: 60 Unique Rep: 53 Folding Team Rank: 540 Trader Rating: 5	How to format a partition in Vista. Hi Overclock.net, I'm new here and I've been checking out around the site, pretty neat thing y'all got going on. I have a 160gb hard drive on one of my computers and it has two partitions "C:" and "D:". Partition C: has Vista on it and Partition D: has XP on it, and I've decided to get rid of "D:" with XP. The problem is, I can't figure out how to format it! I've tried through partition magic, but that doesn't work on Vista, I've tried Disc Management in Vista but I get some error that doesn't allow me to do it. I've also tried to format it via my OEM Vista disc, but that doesn't allow me to do it either. I don't mind if I have to do a full reformat, as long as I am pretty much gauranted that it'll work. Thanks in advance. Edit* Something I noticed is on the XP partition, there is a bootsector.bak file, that I think might interfere with something.

		Overclock.net - Overclocking.net > Components > Hard Drives & Storage
How to format a partition in Vista.

05-18-08	#6 (permalink)
Nubcake News Fiend Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 499 Rep: 60 Unique Rep: 53 Folding Team Rank: 540 Trader Rating: 5	Edit* this D: partition might actually be vista, not really sure, but still needs to be gone. As for BOOTSECT.DAK is there anything I should watch for with that?

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