Tom's Guide | Tom's Hardware | Tom's Games

Computing.Net > Forums > Windows 95/98 > Format hard drive error

Computer Problems? Computing.Net has over 1,000,000 posts about all things technology related! Click here to start participating now! Also, check out the New User Guide.

Format hard drive error

Reply to Message Icon

Name: max
Date: March 6, 2004 at 16:44:04 Pacific
OS: WIN95
CPU/Ram: Pentium 3 128 RAM
Comment:

I have been trying to RE-format a hard drive. The error message is "Invalid device parameters from device driver". The former WIN95 version is 4.00.1111. There are files in the root which look like symbols rather than letters. How can I fix this?



Sponsored Link
Ads by Google

Response Number 1
Name: jboy
Date: March 6, 2004 at 16:53:29 Pacific
Reply:

Fdisk, remove partition and start over:

Invalid device parameters from device driver 
     "Cause:    FORMAT.  The number of hidden sectors (relative sectors is not an exact multiple of the number of sectors per track.  The DOS partition does not start on a track boundary.
     Action:  Load FDISK and set up a new DOS partition on the hard disk.  Retry FORMAT."

The more crap you put up with, the more crap you're going to get.

--Dilbert rules of management


0

Response Number 2
Name: max
Date: March 6, 2004 at 17:38:32 Pacific
Reply:

Drive has a primary partition. Volume label is made up of unrecognizable figures so I cannot delete it. Cannot continue with FDISK. Working with SCANDISK has not worked either. Isn't there a format command that will work other than the one I have?


0

Response Number 3
Name: jboy
Date: March 6, 2004 at 17:45:52 Pacific
Reply:

May need to use delpart to remove a stubborn or messed up partition. Gdisk is another good one.

Format won't help - it requires a valid partition to work with.


The more crap you put up with, the more crap you're going to get.

--Dilbert rules of management


0

Response Number 4
Name: max
Date: March 6, 2004 at 18:14:59 Pacific
Reply:

Gdisk worked. I am upgrading to WIN98. When I use the CD setup, it checks my hard drive and the screen shows lots of \ all the way down on the left hand side and does nothing. Any help?


0

Response Number 5
Name: jboy
Date: March 6, 2004 at 18:26:41 Pacific
Reply:

Hmm - nothing comes to mind at the moment.

Creating the new partition was problem free, and the format was successful?

Might be worthwhile to start a fresh post


The more crap you put up with, the more crap you're going to get.

--Dilbert rules of management


0

Related Posts

See More



Response Number 6
Name: TopFarmer
Date: March 6, 2004 at 18:31:01 Pacific
Reply:

you did run fdisk -partition the drive, make a partiton active and then format ?


0

Response Number 7
Name: Terri Kaduck
Date: March 6, 2004 at 18:42:15 Pacific
Reply:

This might work. I used it many times and it worked for me.

KILLHDD.BAT

Terri's PC Support


0

Response Number 8
Name: max
Date: March 6, 2004 at 18:56:11 Pacific
Reply:

Forget the scandisk. I tried formatting the hard drive and it was successful! Amen! Now all I need to do is reinstall WIN98. Thanks for your help and suggestions! Much appreciated!


0

Response Number 9
Name: jboy
Date: March 6, 2004 at 19:06:23 Pacific
Reply:

Alright, sounds like you're well on your way.


The more crap you put up with, the more crap you're going to get.

--Dilbert rules of management


0

Sponsored Link
Ads by Google
Reply to Message Icon

non network networking pr... Error Message 80040212



Post Locked

This post is quite old and has been locked from receiving new replies. Please create a new posting instead.


Go to Windows 95/98 Forum Home


Sponsored links
Ads by Google


Results for: Format hard drive error
Pre-formated hard drives? www.computing.net/answers/windows-95/preformated-hard-drives/25720.html

Re Formating Hard Drive www.computing.net/answers/windows-95/re-formating-hard-drive/3223.html

thinkpad 770 hard drive error www.computing.net/answers/windows-95/thinkpad-770-hard-drive-error/146533.html