Solved Cannot format partition

[Gerge]

I recently acquired a computer, and attempted to re-image the hard drive. The imaging failed, miserably, and I installed a fresh copy of Windows 7. However, the partition (D which I re-imaged is taking up disk space and I can't format it. How do I reformat this partition?

The image was of Windows Vista, I still get an option to boot into Windows Vista when I turn the computer on. I shrunk this partition, and I can not extend my primary partition (C. Is it possible to fix those problems, too?

 

[DavidE]

Can you boot the computer and post a screen print of Disk Management ?
Here is a tutorial by Golden:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/274797-disk-management-post-screen-capture-image.html

 

[Gerge]

This is the best I can do for an image, it's huge. The two removable disks are an SD card and a USB stick.

 

[whs]

Here is what I would do:

1. Move the bootmgr to C. Then you can get rid of D also. Here is how.

2. I would get rid of D so that you have a contiguous unallocated space of 40GBs. For that you need the bootable CD of Partition Wizard. Download that .iso and burn it to CD and boot the PC with that CD. Then you can delete D. Here is how: (don't forget APPLY top left)




Then whilst you are booted into Partition Wizard, you extend C with the 40GB free space. Here is how:

Extend Partition can be quite easy even if there is no unallocated space.

Make sure you always click on APPLY in the top left corner. Else your operation will not be executed.


Regarding the Vista showing up at boot - for that you have to remove the Vista BCD from the bootmgr. Do steps 3, 4 and 5 of my tutorial ==> http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/210983-dual-boot-delete-os.html#post1767171

 

[howtohelp]

Yes, just do as what WHS say. Besides, you can also use "Merge Partition" feature of partition wizard to extend your c partition.
Still, I want to tell you why you cannot extend your primary partition with the unallocated space. The point is on the location of the unallocated space. If it's very behind the partition you want to extend, you can extend it in Disk Management; otherwise, the "Extend Volume" button will greyed out of usage.

 

[howtohelp]

Since it involves in system partition, so do it in care

 

[Gerge]

My partition wizard LiveDVD won't boot (I don't have a CD handy) and I don't know if, or how, it would function from a USB. Is there any alternative? Or a method to use partition wizard from a USB?

 

[whs]

No problem. I assume you still have the PW .iso. Put it on a USB stick with Rufus.

Rufus - Create bootable USB drives the easy way

 

[Gerge]

Everything worked fine until it came to removing the Vista entry in the bootmenu. I followed the tutorial you linked me to, and it caused a... unique problem. The laptop now does nothing but emit a high pitched screaming noise when I boot it. I'm going to try repairs with the Windows 7 install disc now. Maybe I made some stupid mistake, maybe the laptop is uncooperative. Who knows?

 

[whs]

Hmm, sorry to hear that. You must have missed a bend somewhere. This tutorial was used by many people without problems.

 

[Gerge]

Startup repair didn't do a thing, I'm not sure it detected my installation of Windows 7?
Should I start a new thread for this issue?

 

[AddRAM]

Is the windows partition marked active ?

It has to be for the startup repair to work.

 

[gregrocker]

Can you determine where the loud noise is coming from? It might be a fan bearing that's gone bad and can be replaced. But a loud mechanical sound other than a tone would never be the OS so Startup Repair is uncalled for.

But let's reset it to be sure it isn't something simple. Unplug power cable and battery, hold Power button down for 30 seconds, now plug back in both and try starting it. What happens?

Someone should have mentioned to back up any files you want from D before deleting it.

 

[DavidE]

The laptop now does nothing but emit a high pitched screaming noise when I boot it.

A high pitched screaming noise could be a mechanical or electrical noise / problem.

I'm not sure how to describe the difference so you know which it is, it's something i've learned over the years, having heard both types...

EDIT: I guess if it has a "grinding" sound, it's mechanical ... not sure that helps

 

[Gerge]

It's hard to describe. It's a constant, high pitched tone. "Screaming" was probably the wrong choice for a word. The hard drive itself makes the occasional clicking sound but it did that before, too.

Also, when I boot to the HDD, all I get (visually) is a blank command prompt, for lack of a better term. The little underscore-ish thing cycles through every space for a character. I haven't let it get to the bottom, yet.

Resetting had no effect (affect?). D: was a botched attempt at re-imaging, I didn't want to save anything.

Dell's built in diagnostics told me nothing is wrong.

I think I'm going to attempt to re-image the hard drive w/ a liveCD.

 

[dsperber]

Besides, you can also use "Merge Partition" feature of partition wizard to extend your c partition.

It should be pointed out that "merge partition" is a feature only of the non-free editions of Partition Wizard. It is not available with the free version.


About "Merge Partition"

Merge Partition function helps users merge two adjacent partitions. It is noteworthy that this function only works for NTFS partitions. If the target partition is formatted with FAT12/FAT16/FAT32, please use "Convert FAT to NTFS" function of the software to convert partition to NTFS at first.

Note: The free edition of MiniTool Partition software does not support “merge partition”. So please select professional edition or advanced editions for this support.You could also view the comparison of MiniTool partition software

 

[Gerge]

LiveCD for Macrium Reflect couldn't do a thing. Plan B is to try and figure out what's going on with an Ubuntu LiveCD. Will report what happens.

 

[Gerge]

Ubuntu keeps giving me errors, telling me that the disk is in use. Or is faulty. I got a good look at partitions, it seems there's a 256 MB partition (X?) and a 250 GB partition (C?) and no others. Ubuntu won't install, but LiveCD works fine. Is there anything I can/should do from here?

 

[whs]

How about running a chkdsk /F

Btw - the occasional clicking sound is probably from the optical reader and not from the HDD. You hear it when you boot.

 

[gregrocker]

Test the hard drive with the maker's HD Diagnostic extended CD scan, followed by a full Disk Check done from the Win7 disk's System Recovery Options Command Line.

If necessary compare flash stick alternatives to see if your DVD drive may be failing. During these tests unplug the OD.