how to format this laptop

renovation · Post by **renovation** » Wed Sep 17, 2003 10:37 pm

i just bought this p2-333 sony viao and it whas windows xp on it -and i couldnt get it to boot so i did a reformat with dos .
anyway i figure it has to have a dual boot on it !
it lists a 6 gig hd,
but only shows a 2 gig avail now !
so i need to f-disk the unit and start fresh !
whats your opions on best way !
(i also loaded windows 98se on it )
it has a ibm hard drive and its a sony pcg-270 laptop if that matters !
with 128 mg of ram !
also getting this error when booting win 98 se from harddrive (c:\windows\system\vmm32.vxd: missing /unable to load )
loads ok when i load off cd ?

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Thu Sep 18, 2003 7:18 am

Well run FDISK from a 98 boot floppy - it'll tell you the full size available and whether there's more than one partition.

I would use FDISK or Partition Magic to delete all partitions. Then install whatever flavor of Windows you want.

I DEFINATELY wouldn't put XP on it - a P2-333 does not meet the minimum requirements. Use Win98SE or WinME (ME will go smoother - it has more built-in drivers for laptop hardware).

TruckStuff · Post by **TruckStuff** » Thu Sep 18, 2003 8:31 am

Fdisk won't be able to delete non-dos partitions (e.g. NTFS, ext3, etc.). You'll have to use a progam like delpart to delete those.

eGoCeNTRoNiX · Post by **eGoCeNTRoNiX** » Thu Sep 18, 2003 9:36 am

Originally posted by TruckStuff
Fdisk won't be able to delete non-dos partitions (e.g. NTFS, ext3, etc.). You'll have to use a progam like delpart to delete those.

You sure about that? I didn't have any problem doing it.. You just have to delete Non-Dos partitions in the menu... eGo

fearfox · Post by **fearfox** » Thu Sep 18, 2003 10:45 am

You can also find out the manufacturer of the drive itself and download the software of manufacturer to write zeros to drive, then fdisk and you should more than likely get 6 gigs back.

TruckStuff · Post by **TruckStuff** » Thu Sep 18, 2003 3:51 pm

Originally posted by eGoCeNTRoNiX
You sure about that? I didn't have any problem doing it.. You just have to delete Non-Dos partitions in the menu... eGo

I've never been able to, but its not something I do every day either, so it may be old info.

eGoCeNTRoNiX · Post by **eGoCeNTRoNiX** » Thu Sep 18, 2003 3:54 pm

Originally posted by TruckStuff
I've never been able to, but its not something I do every day either, so it may be old info.

he he.. Yah, I forgot to add, this may depend on the version of FDisk (are there versions) that you're using.

eGo

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Thu Sep 18, 2003 5:13 pm

FDISK from 98SE or ME shouldl delete a Non-Dos partition just fine.

Ktg1rl · Post by **Ktg1rl** » Fri Sep 19, 2003 10:45 am

I think that lappy was fat32