[SOLVED] Formatting PC Fails Everytime

[georgens]

Basically my mate has a pc that won't format, he begins a complete wipe and it fails everytime, hes done a virus scan and a few came up and he deleted them, what would possibly be stopping. Hes on windows 10.

 

[cdrkf]

Basically my mate has a pc that won't format, he begins a complete wipe and it fails everytime, hes done a virus scan and a few came up and he deleted them, what would possibly be stopping. Hes on windows 10.

How is he trying to format the PC exactly?

The best option would be to boot up from a bootable device (e.g. USB key or DVD) so that the target drive isn't in use.

If the drive won't format like that it's worth checking all the cables are correct and possibly trying the drive on a different Sata channel (assuming it's a Sata drive and not an M2). If none of that works then chances are the drive is faulty.

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

Usually when an HDD can't be formatted it's a sign that the drive is failing. If it's not the OS drive you can test it with the drive manufacturer's diagnostic software for Windows. Make/brand of HDD?

 

[georgens]

He's doing the reset through the windows settings, he doesn't have a USB or CD to wipe it with.

 

[Deleted member 14196]

He's doing the reset through the windows settings, he doesn't have a USB or CD to wipe it with.

Yeah that’s not going to work it’s gonna have to make bootable media and boot on that and format it

 

[georgens]

How would he do that, can it be done with a regular USB?

 

[Deleted member 14196]

You should be able to make a bootable USB of windows 10 and use that format the drive and do a clean install

 

[mdd1963]

He's not honestly trying to format the active OS drive/C: drive from within an operating Windows.....right?

 

[mdd1963]

Just boot from a bootable USB created from MS's media creation tool..

Then delete the partitions when the one drive is shown; it will be quick formatted within 3 seconds before new WIndows installation, all that is required...

 

[ex_bubblehead]

He's not honestly trying to format the active OS drive/C: drive from within an operating Windows.....right?

You'd be surprised at the number of people that try to do just that.

 

[georgens]

He's not honestly trying to format the active OS drive/C: drive from within an operating Windows.....right?

Nah he's not that dumb, he's got 2 hard drives, one with the OS on and one for storing games etc. He's just trying to factory reset his computer and the OS just gives up and cancels it.