How can I format my drive that has XP on it? Whenever I try to from the
command prompt, I get a message that says that the volume cannot be
dismounted.

In news:FD306CAE-ED5B-4883-AA00-C9E8FB1009F2@microsoft.com,
Cfox4 <Cfox4@discussions.microsoft.com> had this to say:

My reply is at the bottom of your sent message:

> How can I format my drive that has XP on it? Whenever I try to from
> the command prompt, I get a message that says that the volume cannot
> be dismounted.

Are you trying this within the OS itself? If so reboot with the CD in the
tray and when prompted boot to CD and follow the on-screen prompts.

--
Galen - MS MVP - Windows (Shell/User & IE)
http://dts-l.org/
http://kgiii.info/

"We approached the case, you remember, with an absolutely blank mind,
which is always an advantage. We had formed no theories. We were simply
there to observe and to draw inferences from our observations." -
Sherlock Holmes

Cfox4,

You cannot format the drive because your OS resides on it. If you really
want to format the drive you'll need to boot from your XP cd and follow
the prompts. Be aware that you'll loose ALL of yoor files if you choose to
procede.

JFD

"Cfox4" wrote:

> How can I format my drive that has XP on it? Whenever I try to from the
> command prompt, I get a message that says that the volume cannot be
> dismounted.

You are trying to boot from within Windows. Your Windows XP CD is bootable.
Visit my website http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org Click the Win XP Faq
button and take a look at questions 7, 41 and 85

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org

The information in this post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any kind,
either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this post. The Author shall not be liable for any
direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use
of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this post..



"Cfox4" <Cfox4@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:FD306CAE-ED5B-4883-AA00-C9E8FB1009F2@microsoft.com...
> How can I format my drive that has XP on it? Whenever I try to from the
> command prompt, I get a message that says that the volume cannot be
> dismounted.

Can I boot from a 98 cd? Bottom line is I need to get rid of XP and install
98 on this machine

"Cfox4" wrote:

> How can I format my drive that has XP on it? Whenever I try to from the
> command prompt, I get a message that says that the volume cannot be
> dismounted.

This might deserve a look:
http://www.theeldergeek.com/create_m...artup_disk.htm


"Cfox4" wrote:

> Can I boot from a 98 cd? Bottom line is I need to get rid of XP and install
> 98 on this machine
>
> "Cfox4" wrote:
>
> > How can I format my drive that has XP on it? Whenever I try to from the
> > command prompt, I get a message that says that the volume cannot be
> > dismounted.

As the windows 98 CD is not bootable you should have a windows 98 startup
floppy disk. Inser this into your floppy drive and reboot your machine. When
the menu appears select the option to boot with CD-ROM drivers. When you get
to the 'A' prompt type: 'format C:' (without the quotes) A message will
appear telling you that all your data will be destroyed. Answer yes to this
and your hard drive will be formatted. After formatting the drive you can
then re-install Windows 98.

--
John Barnett MVP
Associate Expert
http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org

The information in this post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any kind,
either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this post. The Author shall not be liable for any
direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the use
of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this post..



"Cfox4" <Cfox4@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news0BAA1A4-8155-4908-B4A6-0AA58709DCFF@microsoft.com...
> Can I boot from a 98 cd? Bottom line is I need to get rid of XP and
> install
> 98 on this machine
>
> "Cfox4" wrote:
>
>> How can I format my drive that has XP on it? Whenever I try to from the
>> command prompt, I get a message that says that the volume cannot be
>> dismounted.