Hard Drive Reformat [Archive]

Hansaman

06-15-04, 02:25 PM

This may seem very elementary to some readers of this forum, but I am not sure how to go about this. I am having a couple of problems with my computer that I believe a "Clean Install" of my OS will correct. In order to do this, I need to get both of my hard drives back into the condition they were when they came out of their boxes. (Both are WD models). I have tried the FDISK command in DOS but get messages telling me that certain partions cannot be found. I have also used the "Reformat" function when Right Clicking on the drives in the Control Panel. I have also "formatted/reformatted" and partioned the drives using the software that came with them. One of my problems is the power button. When it is pressed to turn the system on, the POST starts and then everything shuts off after 3-4 seconds. If I press and hold the power button, then the POST will continue and the system will boot. I am running Win98SE and am thinking that there is a glitch somewhere. (Could be a driver conflict although everything looks ok within Device Manager). I do not want to simply re-instal the OS. I want to start with a clean slate. I do not have any files loaded that I need to back-up or worry about losing. I am certain that there is nothing wrong with the power button (or the wires connecting it to the motherboard). This brings up another point. The Green Power LED will not light-up. I have reversed the connector on the motherboard, I have replaced the LED. Nothing has fixed this problem. My case is an Antec SX1040 (Black), which is only about 3 months old. (I bought it at a Market Pro computer show in my area (DC Metropolitan). System specs: Athlon XP1800 (retail - stock), not overclocked) Abit KX7-333R (not set-up in RAID configuration) 512MB PC2700 DDR RAM (Generic) PNY Verto GeForce 3 Ti200 AGP Graphics Creative Labs Soundblaster Gamer Audigy Toshiba SD-1612 DVD-ROM (set as secondary master) HP cd12 CD-RW Drive (set as secondary slave) ALPS Floppy Drive Linksys NIC Adaptec USB 2.0 PCI Card Western Digital 80GB 7200 RPM (8MB Cache) HD (set as primary master) Western Digital 60GB 7200 RPM (2MB Cache) HD (set as primary slave) Win98SE OS All drivers loaded are latest available. Thanks! Hansaman

Juan

06-15-04, 02:25 PM

Are the power switch cable and HD-Led cable misconnected. I know you said everything is connected right but maybe it was overlooked!

Hansaman

06-15-04, 02:25 PM

Juan, Thanks for the response. It is worth checking. The power button problem could be something that simple.

ADRAMELK

06-15-04, 02:25 PM

Hansaman, I dunno about your power switch, but if you boot from the Win98 cd you should get the option to format your drive before reinstalling 98. Thats about as clean slate as you want to get. (you dont want to erase your boot sector). If you have lost partitions, try a program like partition (edit: MAGIC, Partition Magic,) you can delete them from there.

EZDuzit

06-15-04, 02:25 PM

Did you try another power supply? If you can borrow one it might be worth a try. Did you delete all the old partions before reformating?