Windows 7 Format Drive "C"?

Question

Ok, I have windows 7. I have a new tb hard drive my new hard drive is Drive "J". My old hard drive,which is slowly dying is drive "C". So, new drive "J" old one "C". I am going to reformat drive "C".

Start>Computer>Right-Click>Manage>Disk management>select drive C>Right click>Format....

OH CRAP!

I am being told windows can not format the system partition on a disk. Here check this out:

Drive C: Layout = Simple
Type = Basic
File system = NTFS
Status = (Healthy, System, Active, Primary Partition
----------------------------
Drive J: Layout, Type and File System same as C:
Staus = Healthy(boot, Page File, Active, Crash dumps, Primary)

So, somewhere along the lines when I installed J or shortly there after I might have done something wrong? I want J(the new disk) not C to be the boot disk. Both drives are listed as active and as the primary partition - is there something wrong with that? Only drive C: shows system files on it.

Since I can not format a drive with systemfiles on the partition I want to transfer these "files" to drive J, correct?

How the heck do I do that? So, to be as clear as I can here. I want to format drive "C". I do not want to argue with anyone on why I want to do it, I just want to. Then I want to reinstall windows 7 on it. I want my computer to boot from drive J.

Currently when I try to format drive C, I am told it can not because of system files on it. What do I do? Mad love, props, points, thanks, hugs, kisses and love to someone to explain this to me in an easy to follow 50 step or less process or direct me to a link to help.

Answer 1

Per You Tony: "I am not a tech, I have no experience with computers. I understand why most would never follow my directions. If followed my advice might destroy your computer. However, when I have this issue I hit my computer with a 5pound metal mallet 22 times and it works.



I would never suggest this method for anyone else. However, it does work for me. So, I felt compelled to post. Oddly though my computer no longer works. But, when it used to work this mallet thing worked great.

2 minutes ago "



Did your advice work?

Answer 2

You cannot format C because you are booting from it. To format that drive you have to boot from a CD, DVD or USB drive. If you have Win 7 on a DVD boot from that then you can format and reload. Remember that by formatting you are wiping EVERYTHING from that drive. Since you indicated that the old drive is dying why not just use cloning software to move the entire C: to the J:, pull the old one out and you are left with a bootable larger drive that is now your C:. HDClone will work for that.

Answer 3

Use Partition Magic or similar to format drive C then install the operating system on drive J.