Want to format secondary HDD after reinstall of windows

hello,
I just reinstalled windows and so of course I need to format my 2nd internal harddrive (i wish there was a way I could just access the files..so annoying..) anyway last time I did this it was fine but for some reason I always get the error "format is not allowed on the current boot, system, pagefile, crashdrump or hibernation volume" even if i attempt to use DISKPART in cmd. The disk is flagged as system in computer management and making it active or inactive makes no difference

help appreciated!

inaniloquent said:

hello,
I just reinstalled windows and so of course I need to format my 2nd internal harddrive (i wish there was a way I could just access the files..so annoying..) anyway last time I did this it was fine but for some reason I always get the error "format is not allowed on the current boot, system, pagefile, crashdrump or hibernation volume" even if i attempt to use DISKPART in cmd. The disk is flagged as system in computer management and making it active or inactive makes no difference

help appreciated!

This is due to Window 7's installer putting the boot sector on this hard drive (I still don't know why it does this!). I don't know how to fix this problem other than possibly by doing this:

1. Put the Windows 7 DVD in
2. Shut down
3. Disconnect the 2nd drive (you can leave its power cable plugged in)
4. Turn the computer back on and make sure it boots to the Windows 7 DVD
5. When you get here, click "Drive options (advanced)"
6. Click "Delete", then "New", and then "Format"
7. Click Next

When you finally get to the Desktop, shut down and reconnect the 2nd hard drive. Turn the computer back on and then try the Quick Format again. Although, I would like to know why you want to format it.

TwoCables said:

inaniloquent said:

hello,
I just reinstalled windows and so of course I need to format my 2nd internal harddrive (i wish there was a way I could just access the files..so annoying..) anyway last time I did this it was fine but for some reason I always get the error "format is not allowed on the current boot, system, pagefile, crashdrump or hibernation volume" even if i attempt to use DISKPART in cmd. The disk is flagged as system in computer management and making it active or inactive makes no difference

help appreciated!

This is due to Window 7's installer putting the boot sector on this hard drive (I still don't know why it does this!). I don't know how to fix this problem other than possibly by doing this:

1. Put the Windows 7 DVD in
2. Shut down
3. Disconnect the 2nd drive (you can leave its power cable plugged in)
4. Turn the computer back on and make sure it boots to the Windows 7 DVD
5. When you get here, click "Drive options (advanced)"
6. Click "Delete", then "New", and then "Format"
7. Click Next

When you finally get to the Desktop, shut down and reconnect the 2nd hard drive. Turn the computer back on and then try the Quick Format again. Although, I would like to know why you want to format it.

I'll try this and let you know if it works.

Well, it's not showing up anywhere except in management and I can't access it or anything so I thought I just had to format it to use it again. Am I wrong?

inaniloquent said:

TwoCables said:

inaniloquent said:

hello,
I just reinstalled windows and so of course I need to format my 2nd internal harddrive (i wish there was a way I could just access the files..so annoying..) anyway last time I did this it was fine but for some reason I always get the error "format is not allowed on the current boot, system, pagefile, crashdrump or hibernation volume" even if i attempt to use DISKPART in cmd. The disk is flagged as system in computer management and making it active or inactive makes no difference

help appreciated!

This is due to Window 7's installer putting the boot sector on this hard drive (I still don't know why it does this!). I don't know how to fix this problem other than possibly by doing this:

1. Put the Windows 7 DVD in
2. Shut down
3. Disconnect the 2nd drive (you can leave its power cable plugged in)
4. Turn the computer back on and make sure it boots to the Windows 7 DVD
5. When you get here, click "Drive options (advanced)"
6. Click "Delete", then "New", and then "Format"
7. Click Next

When you finally get to the Desktop, shut down and reconnect the 2nd hard drive. Turn the computer back on and then try the Quick Format again. Although, I would like to know why you want to format it.

I'll try this and let you know if it works.

Well, it's not showing up anywhere except in management and I can't access it or anything so I thought I just had to format it to use it again. Am I wrong?

Whoa. It has files on it too. Omg. I see what you're facing now. I don't know what to do. If you don't mind losing all of those files, then perhaps you should leave it connected and perform steps 5 and 6 on the 2nd drive and then shut down and disconnect it before installing Windows.

TVeblen said:

Did you install Windows onto the new hard drive with the old hard drive still connected?
If so, then the files the new installation needs to startup Windows will most likely be on the old hard drive.

A quick check would be to disconnect the old hard drive and then try to start the computer with only the new drive connected. If it won't start, then you know this is the case.

If that is the case, then this is the fix:

• Install DVD in drive
• Shut down > disconnect the old hard drive (only the new drive connected)
• Start the computer > boot to DVD
• Then run Startup Repair. You may have to do this 3 times to correct the problem.

Startup Repair

Startup Repair - Run 3 Separate Times


Once you have created the system boot files on the new hard drive you should be able to remove the active flag from the old hard drive. After that the old hard drive will just be another hard drive, and you will be able to access any files on it.

I don't think I have a disk for my windows. How do I do it without the disk?

If you want the to download the live cd "Knoppix" It well allow you to recover windows files and transfer them to another disk or flash drive, even burn them to cd. Very powerful and user friendly linux based OS.