The partition is non-dos and cannot be formatted with Win98 boot disc. You need to remove the non-dos partition and create a dos partition with fdisk. You should then be able to format. You may need delpart to remove the non-dos partition.

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Umm.. Thats odd because I was able to do that before.. with the exact same HDD.. It doesnt make since on why it would all of a suddon start this.. I'm not trying to be mean im just trying to make sence of it really.. If I were to do this, it wouldnt make a windows98SE installation impossible would it?

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You can't format a non-DOS partition with DOS. It may have become non-DOS because of Parttion Magic or maybe it just dweabed. Either way, you need to remove the partitions and creste st lesst one primary, active DOS partition. M2 Mechanix2Go@Golden-Triangle.com

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Ok but will this not effect the installation of win98 SE? I mean I dont want to do this and then I find out I cant install win98 again lol. And do you mean get rid of the non dos partion as in delete it like it says in the menu? Just makeing sure before I do somthing risky.. sorry for so much trouble :( Can't please everyone.

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Yes, run fdisk and delete the non-dos partition. If fdisk won't let you delete it, download delpart.zip from my webspace (in the header of this message) and use that. Then create a new dos partition, make it active, then format it. Then you should be able to install windows on it.

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I see.. I take it this would totaly whipe out anything I have on the HDD right? Do I need to start backing things up before I do this? Cause I'm still able to use windows 98 just fine, infact im useing it as i type. Just the format is non functioning. Can't please everyone.

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Hi Ghostly, Now I'm lost. But my gut tells me you better backup and you netter get clear on where you are in this process before doing anything with fdisk or other parttion wipers. M2 Mechanix2Go@Golden-Triangle.com

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Im trying to be as clear as I can. I'm sorry.. Well I will back everything up then. Where Im at now is what I just said. I cant format the HDD because it wont let me. I go to the dos promt with the windows 98 boot disk (diskett), I type in format.com C:, and it comes up with the error "Format not supported on drive C: Format terminated " Now I'm not quiet sure as to why this happens but I think powerquests partition magic had somthing to do with it. I uninstalled it finaly and that didnt seem to work either. I'm guesing when its saying "non-dos" thats not a good thing.. So now I think, like everyone said I need to do, is to delete the "non dos" partion and use fdisk to format it into a dos partion. Then reinstall windows 98 SE.. Can't please everyone.

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Not sure if this will work, but since you say partition magic doesn't appear to be the problem, why not reinstall it & use it to reclaim the HDD space? How about using the floppy that came with the HDD? If you don't have it, you should be able to download it at the manufacturer's website..... Asus A7N8X-X 1800+ @8x210mhz 512mb PC3200 Ti4200/8X 128mb WDC 60GB

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I didnt say partionmagic wasnt the problem lol. Just uninstalling it didnt help anything. I have a feeling I did somthing wrong with Partionmagic and I cant reverse it unless I delete the "non-dos" partion. when it says non-dos does this mean its not supposed to say that? Or what? I tried to use the disk that came with the HDD but the error on that one is just as confuseing as the errors ive had before. It says that there are unformated partitions on the HDD. Also its saying its a NTFS formated disk.. which I know for sure its in fat32.. I know this is very confuseing but I think this "delete the non-dos partion" is the only way out :(.. Can't please everyone.

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"Now I'm lost." Me too. "Cause I'm still able to use windows 98 just fine, infact im useing it as i type." Is the Windows you're actively using on this particular hard disk? Is this "non-dos" partition the PRIMARY partition, or in the disk space AFTER the PRIMARY partition? At a dos prompt, type in; fdisk/status and report back exactly what it says. Also, at a dos prompt, type in; fdisk answer Y to large disk support, choose option 4, and report here exactly what that says. If it asks if you want to see the extended partition information, answer Y.

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Why do you want to format it your system is working?

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I'm sorry for this to be confuseing. This is what it said exactly.. Partion - 1 Status - A Type - Non dos Mbytes - 32248 Useage 100% Yes this is my primary partion.. I didnt make any others.Yes windows is on this HDD and I'm useing it at this very moment. And I didnt find a another option to see more info about the HDD.. As for why Id like to format. I like to format at least once a year. Just to start off fresh. Can't please everyone.

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Open My Computer & right click on C: What file system is listed? Asus A7N8X-X 1800+ @8x210mhz 512mb PC3200 Ti4200/8X 128mb WDC 60GB

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If you're running windows off of the same physical hard disk where the non-dos partition exists, you must have more than one partition on that disk. The partition where windows resides must be the primary active ~dos~ partition. You should be able to delete the non-dos partition and create an extended partition there in that disk space and then create logical dos drives within that new dos partition.

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This is getting weirder and weirder.. I never did make any other partions on the HDD other then the primary one.. Cant I just delete the non dos partion and reformat it into a primary dos partion for windows? I want to be able to use the whole HDD normaly as just one big partion instead of makeing others. This forum is getting really long and I am sorry about all the trouble I've put all of you in :( Can't please everyone.

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Don't worry about that, everyone here enjoys problems. You are still running Win98 ... so make a new boot floppy (add/remove .. startup disk). Save everything you need cause as you know ... it will all be lost. Boot into BIOS and make sure floppy is first boot device, exit and save settings. Boot from the floppy and when you see the A:\> prompt key in FDISK large drive support ... delete ALL partitions. Create a new single partition and make it active, exit FDISK. FORMAT C: and you know the rest. ps: you don't have ghost 2003 do you ? that program creates another partition all by itself. You must have more than one partition because Win98 won't run on a non-dos partition. Sounds weird all right. Best

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Thanks jub. I've been trying to make sure that thats what I'm supposed to do lol. So of course I'll be able to install windows 98 I hope. And no I dont have norton ghost 2003.. I didnt like it at the time which I think I tried it when it first came out heh. Looks like I got some work to do lol. Wish me luck and thanks again :) Can't please everyone.

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