[Old Ron]

Some time ago I added a 40GB hard drive to my system. Set it as my primary drive (C:) and installed Windows XP pro.
I have back up or moved all the files I wanted from the old drive which is my slave drive (E:).
I'm already runing out of space on C and would like to clear off E for some extra room.
Can I format E without screwing things up on C? I would particularly like the space for a "scratch drive" for my Adobe Photoshop CS.
I have always been really nervous about formatting drives. I DON'T want to mess up my C: primary as I have just gotten it all cleaned up from a bunch of 'malware".

Thanks
Ron

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You could get a program like Partition Magic. That would do it. Or, if you're using Win Xp, go to start, accesories, system tools, command prompt, then type: format E:
and proceed from there.

[Julio]

You could get a program like Partition Magic. That would do it. Or, if you're using Win Xp, go to start, accesories, system tools, command prompt, then type: format E:
and proceed from there.

[Old Ron]

You could get a program like Partition Magic. That would do it. Or, if you're using Win Xp, go to start, accesories, system tools, command prompt, then type: format E:
and proceed from there.

Thanks for the super quick reply. Just to be certain: I can simply format E: from within my Windows XP pro which is the operating system on C: and it will not screw up or remove anything from my primary drive C: .
I realize this shows how much I DON'T know about what I'm doing!
Thanks
Ron

[Julio]

Just be sure to type:
format E:
It will verify that's what you want to do before proceeding, so you have a layer of protection.

[Old Ron]

Thanks for the super quick reply.  Just to be certain: I can simply format E: from within my Windows XP pro which is the operating system on C:  and it will not screw up or remove anything from my primary drive C: .
I realize this shows how much I DON'T know about what I'm doing!
Thanks
Ron

Thanks!!!

[Old Ron]

Thanks!!!

OK - I went to the command promt and typed in "format E:" and I got a message that said the volume was in use and could not be formatted.
It offered to "force a dismount" I tried that and it would not allow it.

Told you I didn't know what I was doing - that's why I'm glad you folks are there.

What next?

[Yarnouth]

i'm guessing your using applications with the data on your slave. Your Norton will have files on there for a start.
You may have to put the slave in as primary for this as it can be hard to clear system volume info. etc. Once it's a primary you can boot with a Windows 98 boot disk? Then you can get into FDISK, erase the entire partition, and start anew.
If you don't have a 98 boot disk you can get one
from here

And a little info for you on formatting can be found here

[Old Ron]

i'm guessing your using applications with the data on your slave. Your Norton will have files on there for a start.
You may have to put the slave in as primary for this as it can be hard to clear system volume info. etc. Once it's a primary you can boot with a Windows 98 boot disk? Then you can get into FDISK, erase the entire partition, and start anew.
If you don't have a 98 boot disk you can get one
from here

And a little info for you on formatting can be found here

OK. Thanks. If I have any problems "I'lll be back"
Ron