[sajmir]

I have a laptop pc and i want to format it. When i put win format cd in cd-rom and boot from it, after configuration of files i get a message that the hdd isn't there?!!!!!
When i put vista format cd, vista can install but at the end of the proces it freez.

how can i format it?

Thank you.

[P4L]

You can always go to the command prompt, and type in "Format (drive name)" and it will reformat your machine, and delete everything from it. The you have a clean hdd to work with.

[sajmir]

thank you.

How can i enter in command prompt?

[P4L]

Go to the Start menu, if windows is still loaded, and click on run. Then type in cmd, and press enter. From there, you should be able to type in "Format (drive name)" and pressing the enter key will run the format, after a caution message appears.

You might have more difficulty doing it if windows is not loaded, but should be able to get there by entering safe mode, or there could be an option for entering straight to the command prompt when you start the machine up.



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This post has been edited by P4L: 05 December 2008 - 11:10 AM

[sajmir]

System can't load....

Is any way to reset bios? and after that to format with win format cd.

[no2pencil]

sajmir, on 5 Dec, 2008 - 12:13 PM, said:

Is any way to reset bios?

Each BIOS manufacturer has unique menus. However, Hard Drive detection has been automatic on BIOS for years (depending on your computer), but I'm talking like 486. If you are able to start the install, then BIOS is finding your hard drive.

[born2c0de]

Quote

I have a laptop pc and i want to format it. When i put win format cd in cd-rom and boot from it, after configuration of files i get a message that the hdd isn't there?!!!!!

I've noticed that this is an issue with low to mid-range HP Laptops and I think they've done it deliberately to prevent users from installing other operating systems.

Is the laptop manufactured by HP?

[sajmir]

is Toshiba Satellite L40-16D.

[ValPaliy]

Start in reovery mode, than put format c: /q

[music_paul]

ok.. ahm.. if theres an available recovery CD to your laptop use it,
or try to ask the costumer support service of the company if the laptop stays only on 1 operating system.

or try to format to used GDISK and then install xp Operating system.

[MorphiusFaydal]

If your laptop is using an SATA hard disk, then it's highly likely that the Windows XP CD doesn't have SATA drivers, which is why it's saying that there's no hard drives, and Vista is seeing them fine.