Need to format system partition

[namanjandial]

Hi all,

I am facing an issue that I am unable to format a partition as its showing system partition and neither Format or Delete Partition options are highlighted in Disk Management.

I have a Compaq Laptop with Windows XP SP3 Installed on Drive C

In total I have 4 Partitions on the laptop, namely:
Drive C - Logical Partition (if it matters) - Windows is installed on this drive.
Drive D - Primary Partition (System) - Used only for Data - But unusable.
Drive E - Primary Partition - Used only for Data.
Drive F - Primary Partition - Used only for Data.

The drive I would like to format is Drive D, which is a primary partition and is showing System Partition, I have not configured any backup on this drive, nor any pagefile is set to be kept on this drive, yet it shows System Partition.

Apart from this on this drive, there is a directory named "Data" that I can access and then other subdirectories, when I try to access them it says access is denied. Hence I am not able to delete them as well.
The reason I am trying to delete these directories or format this drive is that Its total capacity is 18 GB and 9 GB is being consumed because of the subdirectories and the data they hold, yet I am unable to use them.

I also tried to delete the partition using Diskpart, but it gives an error: "the arguments you specified for this command are not valid"

I also tried to set the partition Inactive, yet getting the same error.

I also tried the command: "format /x D:" - It says drive successfully unmounted and the format begins, but when it reaches 100% it says "Cannot format a system partition".

I have also tried the same using Acronis Disk Director - Even that is not able to either "Unmount" the drive or format the drive.

I request you to please suggest what should I do next to be able to either format it or delete the data.

Thanks in advance,

Naman

 

[Paul NZ]

It could be a restore partition

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

If it's currently marked as "Active", that's why it is designated as the "System" partition because it's also the boot partition even though Windows isn't installed on it.

Don't mess with it or your laptop will be unable to boot in to Windows.

 

[namanjandial]

OK, is it possible that I can convert it to a normal partition and then format it?

Moreover I guess, that a recovery partition is system reserved and never assigned a drive letter, but its an 18 GB partition and there is data on the drive, please correct me if I am wrong.

Thanks

 

[namanjandial]

If it's currently marked as "Active", that's why it is designated as the "System" partition because it's also the boot partition even though Windows isn't installed on it.

Don't mess with it or your laptop will be unable to boot in to Windows.

Yes it is set as active.
So is there no way I can delete the data, as at present, I am not able to use the partition at all.

Thanks

 

[namanjandial]

Is it possible, I can make C Drive a Primary Partition, make it as active partition and once done, convert D drive to basic partition and then format?

Thanks

 

[namanjandial]

Is it possible, I can make C Drive a Primary Partition, make it as active partition and once done, convert D drive to basic partition and then format?

Thanks

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

No, you can't have two active partitions on the HDD that the system boots from.
Since the "System" boot partition must be Active at all times, you cannot make the Windows partition Active as well.

"I request you to please suggest what should I do next to be able to either format it or delete the data"

You can delete all the partitions, create your own partitions and start afresh with a retail Windows XP installation disc (not factory recovery 'cos you'll just end up back where you are now).

Or take the easier route and buy yourself an external hard drive if you need more storage space.

I'm done, I can't help you any more with this.

 

[namanjandial]

Thanks for all your help, I guess, will have to wipe off all partitions and start a fresh.

Thanks again.