Partition Problem

[Compnewbie01]

Okay I just hooked up my new computer and everything was going alright until I got to the partition screen. Now it seems like making a special partition (10GB) for windows in the FAT(?) format and then the rest of the HD in NFTS. Well I got confused and botched my windows installation. Now the computer just goes in a series of reboots and cannot continue the windows installation. I need to know how I can reach the partition screen again such as what key to press (similar to delete key for BIOS). I need to delete the partition and retry. Thanks in advance!

 

[Nocturnal]

You can't have half NTFS/Fat.

 

[Compnewbie01]

So I should have two partitions that are both NTFS? I still need to know how to wipe the HD clean or something because I cannot get a successful boot. It just keeps rebooting becuase I get some error saying the action cannot be performed.

 

[jameswhite1979]

Try using Partion Magic to sort these partions out can do all sorts with it.

 

[Compnewbie01]

I don't know what that is and if it is software, I don't think it would work because I cannot get the computer to load/setup windows. I somehow need to get back to the screen where I can create/delete partitions almost as if the HD was completely blank.

 

[DrZoidberg]

I have 3 partitions for my 200 gig Seagate hd.

Anyway if u cant get to windows and botched installation then u might as well format.
First go to BIOS and set your cd or dvd rom drive to boot before your hard disc. It will be under boot order options.
E.g. Boot Order: floppy, CDROM, hard disc.
Now stick your windows xp cd in your cdrom and restart. It should boot from cd instead and u will be in windows installation screen.

- I cant exactly remember the installation screen, but if it detects u have existing windows installation u can try and repair it. Press ESC to bypass repair and reinstall.
- Press D on each partition to delete all your existing partitions.
- Press C to create partition, choose ntfs cause its better. set it to 10,000 MB if u want 10 gig for C: windows partition.
- Create another partition for remaining hard drive space, press ENTER to create the partition with the maximum size.
- Format partition

U can click following link for more info.
Microsoft Info on creating partitions

 

[DrZoidberg]

almost forgot, after u created partitions and followed on screen instructions to install windows

when you finished installing windows u need to change boot order in bios back to normal
boot order: floppy, hard disc, cdrom.

 

[mdubrow]

Originally posted by: DrZoidberg
almost forgot, after u created partitions and followed on screen instructions to install windows

when you finished installing windows u need to change boot order in bios back to normal
boot order: floppy, hard disc, cdrom.

Says who? I keep CD-ROM ahead of hard drive in the boot priority, so that I can run things like Memtest, etc., without having to change boot priority in BIOS.

 

[DrZoidberg]

well true u can keep cdrom boot priority higher than hard disc, however i remember some older bios will say invalid system disc if u got game cd in cdrom like me all the time. Also maybe windows might boot a fraction faster if u have a game cd in cdrom and bios has to spin up cdrom and then find its a music or game cd, while if u have hard disc priority before cdrom bios doesnt need to check cdrom.

But do whatever floats your boat.

 

[amplemind]

I have 3 partitions, 2 in NTFS and 1 in FAT32, works fine...

FAT32 for the 4GB Page File Partition.