Windows 7: Trouble formatting

I recently got given a hdd by a friend. It has xp on it. I run Windows 7 ultimate. So I figured I'd format the newly acquired hdd and keep it for some extra storage space. Only problem is I get an error saying "windows can not complete the format". Any ideas on how I can fix this and format the drive?

Go to 'disk management' and try to format it using that instead of right clicking the drive, Be careful in there, make sure your formatting the right drive...

Click the orb and type 'disk management' in the search

No go. "windows cannot format the system partition on this disk"

Here's what my disk management screen looks like if it helps



D: Is what I installed Windows 7 on, C: is xp.

Windows 7 was incorrectly installed from another OS which is why it is lettered D when booted. It should always show as C if it is correctly installed from boot.

In addition C: XP holds the System boot files for Windows 7 as shown by the System Active flags. So you likely installed Windows 7 from C and it placed the boot files on C configuring a Dual Boot as it does when installed last.

In addition all of your data drives are incorrectly marked Active which will further confuse the installer or Repair function. So start by marking them all Inactive: Partition - Mark as Inactive - Windows 7 Forums

What I would then do is unplug XP HD, boot the Windows 7 installer to reinstall Windows 7 from boot so that it claims the letter C. Then plug back in the XP HD and wipe it with Diskpart Clean Command, create and format a partition in Disk Mgmt. Partition or Volume - Create New

If you want to keep Windows 7 on D, then mark D Active, unplug XP HD, boot the Windows 7 installer to run Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times until Windows 7 partition boot and holds the System Active flags. Then plug back in XP HD, wipe it using Diskpart Clean Command, format in Disk Mgmt.

@gregrocker, I actually got it done, but I took a different route. I ran an upgrade install on the xp drive then just formatted it. Worked a treat. Can I just use the "Change Drive Letters And Paths" option in Disk Management to put my drives in the proper order??

That is not a route - sounds like a mess. Why would you Upgrade a drive to format it?

Could you not wait for advice based on real world solutions?

Need to see another Disk Mgmt screenshot.

You cannot change the drive letter of an OS - it will always ruin it.

It was actually a suggestion from the guy I got the drive off. It seems to have worked so it's not an issue how I got the job done it's the result.

Googy,
First, I will take exception to Greg's suggestion regarding unmarking active partitions.

All of my disks are always marked as Active. Marking as Active does NOT mean that an OS is there, but simply that the disk has been prepared such that one could install an OS on the Disk.

Would you do me a favor and give all of your partitions meaninful names?

You can do that with DiskManagment.

After doing that, then make a fresh Disk Management snapshot please.

Oops, just saw that you've posted a fresh msg. Let me look there.

Googy,

Everything looks fine.

Your "OS" partition is labeled D which is fine. On many systems, that ends up being the letter assigned.

As mentioned, by Greg, assigning another Letter to the drive can play havoc.

What I would suggest: assigning another drive letter, maybe K: to your partition with a C: assignment.

I seriously recommend giving each partition a meaningful name.

Meaningful name??? Something like this?