disk formating

napchop · 17 Apr 2011

I'm trying to install 7 on a new laptop (HP Probook) which was supplied with Linux Enterprise and first I got to choose disk for installation and was refused because the disk was not NFTS.
I used a program to clean and format the disks and create new NFTS partitions but Win 7 still doesn't want to install on any of those partitions.
Can someone help me? What application do I need to create correct formatting for a Win 7 instalation and where do I get it? maybe also I need to know how to use it .... :-/
thanks to anyone who can help...

ignatzatsonic · 17 Apr 2011

Are you booting from the Windows install disc?

If so, how far can you get and what type of error message do you get when you can't go any farther?

Diskpart is a command that can wipe and recreate all partitions if need be, but you may not need it depending on exactly what is happening.

napchop · 17 Apr 2011

I get as far as choose partition to install windows, it refuses to use any of the partitions.

napchop · 17 Apr 2011

yes, sorry, I'm using the Windows install disk

ignatzatsonic · 17 Apr 2011

Did you come to a screen where you could choose "advanced drive options"??? Look closely--I think it is lower on the screen.

deanolfc · 17 Apr 2011

do you have an xp disk

napchop · 17 Apr 2011

yes, I tried that but it only offered option to 'load drivers' and I wasn't sure which drivers

Bare Foot Kid · 17 Apr 2011

Hello napchop, welcome to Sevem Forums!

Since there was Linux on the PC previously, it would be best to do a complete wipe of the entire Hard Disk Drive using the Windows 7 installation media, there's a lot of information presented below, use the "Optimization" tutorial at the link below then create a Partition(s) to do the installation to and be sure to post back with any further questions you may have and to keep us informed.

After you have copied out or made back-ups of the data you need to save to external media, then boot the Windows 7 installation media to use Step One of this tutorial at the first link below to do a wipe (secure erase) to the entire Hard Disk Drive / Solid State Drive.

If you use diskpart to run either the clean all command to completely wipe a HDD / SSD or just the clean command to remove the format configuration data and don't use diskpart to create at least a single partition to do the installation to, letting the Windows installer do the format you will end up with the new Windows 7 System Reserved partition, if you want to make your own decision whether this partition is added, study these two (2) options below.

Then if you do not want to create the new Windows 7 "System Reserved" partition use the outline in Step Two #2 to create, format and mark Active a single 100GB partition to do the installation to.
If you do want to create the "System Reserved" partition use the outline in Step Two #3 to create, format and mark Active the System Reserved partition and then create and format the 100GB partition to do the installation to.

Either way, running the "clean all" then creating and formatting the partition(s) using diskpart will get you the best possible space to do a clean install of Windows 7 to; you can always extend the Windows partition to include the remaining unallocated space on the HDD / SSD or create additional Primary partitions or an Extended partition after the installation completes if you choose.

SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation

DISKPART : At PC Startup

Do a Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version

ignatzatsonic · 17 Apr 2011

Here are the diskpart commands:

1. Once Windows 7 Setup is loaded, press Shift + F10 keys at the first setup screen (which allows selection of language, keyboard and locale). A Command Prompt window will be opened.

2. Run Diskpart, the built-in disk partitioning tool of Windows 7 with the following command:

diskpart

3. Type in the following commands one by one, followed by the Enter key to create a partition (text in brackets are comments only):

list disk (to show the ID number of the hard disk to partition, normally Disk 0)

select disk 0 (change 0 to another number if applicable)

clean (this does not write zeroes to drive; use clean all to write zeroes)

create partition primary (use a similar command to create more partitions if needed or create in Windows 7 after installation)

select partition 1

active

format fs=ntfs quick

exit

4. Type exit at command prompt to close Command Prompt window.

5. Continue Windows 7 installation as usual. Remember to just highlight and select the partition just created when you come to the partition screen.

napchop · 17 Apr 2011

thanks, I'll give that a try now, do I run diskpart from the command prompt option in the installation process?
I get X: sources>