Solved Formatting A System, Active, Primary Partition

prsnrs

New Member
Messages
8
I performed a clean install of Windows 8 Pro on Drive C. Drive E is marked "System, Active, Primary Partition." I want to format this HD and use for backups. However, my system will not allow me to format. I downloaded "Unlocker" and "deleted" folders and files, but the amount of free space doesn't change and I've not been able to empty my recycle bin. On the Internet, some have suggested that Win 8 puts boot manager on a different partition. This doesn't make sense to me. Any thoughts? I have GParted but don't want to screw up boot manager, etc. If I can't delete files or format there's usually a good reason. But I'd like to clean up this partition so I can use it for backups. Thanks.
PRSRNS
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel Core2Duo CPU E8400 @ 3.00GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Rampage
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 SE
Hi and welcome to Eightforums.

Disconnect the E-drive phisicaly and boot your PC. This will force Windows to forget about the system partition on E. Shut down the system after succesfull booting.

Then reconnect your E-drive and boot again ==> Now you must be able to format the entire E-drive.

Another option is to diconnect the E-drive and connect it to another pc and format it. Although the first option should work.

Tip ==> When doing a reinstallation make sure only the C drive is connected. Connect the other drives AFTER the installation.

Good luck!!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64 Media Center Edition
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Made
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 750
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD HD 7750
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Iiyama ProLite B2481HS-B1
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1x 120 GB SSD Samsung 830;
    1x 1.5 TB HDD Seagate;
    1x 2 TB HDD Western Digital;
    1x 3 TB HDD Seagate
    1x 80 GB SSD Vertex 2
    PSU
    Corsair CX 600
    Case
    Corsair Carbide 300R with Side Window
    Cooling
    Intel RTS2011 LC
    Keyboard
    DasKeyboard (blue switches)
    Mouse
    Wacom Baboo Tablet Pen & Touch
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbit FullDuplex Fiberglass
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    I also own the following Microsoft devices:
    * Surface Pro 2 128 GB
    * Windows Phone HTC 8X
Thanks Der Snoober, but drive E is an internal drive and disconnecting, though possible, is not totally convenient. Is there a second choice. What mechanism is preventing the format? Is there something on the internal E drive that Win 8 is trying to protect? Could I successfully format with G-parted? Finally, if I do eventually succeed in formatting E and bootdrive is gone, will the Win 8 be able to reinstall bootdrive? Thanks for your patience. PRSNRS
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel Core2Duo CPU E8400 @ 3.00GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Rampage
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 SE
Hi PRSNRS,

if I understand you correct your E-drive is a partition on the same drive as the C-drive?

Hmmm, that changes the problem a little bit.

Why your E-drive contains some systemfiles I don't know. I know from experience to disconnect all drives except C when reinstalling Windows. Otherwise it will put some systemfiles onto the other drives.

In my experience I've never had any problems when formatting those drives. Windows can still boot and will put the system files onto the C-drive eventually.

So what you can try is this ==>
* Make sure you have a Windows rescue/ installation disc and backuped your C drive data.
* Format the E drive with use of a formatting program. Or just download a Linux-ISO-distro and format that way.
* You can also try deleting the partitions on the drive via Windows Drive Manager.
* Boot your pc.
* Windows SHOULD startup normally. Because all the necessery files are on C.
* Just in case Windows will NOT start up normally (what I really doubt) you can boot via the rescue/ installation disc and perform a repair.

If I were you I'd try this.

Good luck!!


Ps. We all are patience here, helping people is the meaning of this forum!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64 Media Center Edition
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Made
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 750
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD HD 7750
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Iiyama ProLite B2481HS-B1
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1x 120 GB SSD Samsung 830;
    1x 1.5 TB HDD Seagate;
    1x 2 TB HDD Western Digital;
    1x 3 TB HDD Seagate
    1x 80 GB SSD Vertex 2
    PSU
    Corsair CX 600
    Case
    Corsair Carbide 300R with Side Window
    Cooling
    Intel RTS2011 LC
    Keyboard
    DasKeyboard (blue switches)
    Mouse
    Wacom Baboo Tablet Pen & Touch
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbit FullDuplex Fiberglass
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    I also own the following Microsoft devices:
    * Surface Pro 2 128 GB
    * Windows Phone HTC 8X
I'm not going to add value here perhaps but I had a similar issue.

I upgraded from 7 to 8 and some random (non-existing) drives appeared in Defrag and System restore with names like {/?/Volume\....} In Disk management they were not shown.

In the end I did another clean Install and the problem went away.

My only guess is that the upgrade makes assumptions about hidden (Q:/) partitions and what to do with them.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 10 Pro Prieview x64
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    MacBook Pro Core2Duo
    CPU
    T7600
    Memory
    3
    Graphics Card(s)
    ATI Radeon X1600
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Internal
    Screen Resolution
    1440 x 800
    Hard Drives
    40GB
    Keyboard
    Apple
    Mouse
    Apple
    Internet Speed
    Varies
    Browser
    Various
    Antivirus
    Defender
Der Snoober,

Thanks again. My E: drive is a separate drive - NOT a partition of the C: Boot drive.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel Core2Duo CPU E8400 @ 3.00GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Rampage
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 SE
Der Snoober,

Thanks again. My E: drive is a separate drive - NOT a partition of the C: Boot drive.

In that case just delete the partitions one by one and then format the drive. Or format it using a Linux-ISO or by connection it to another pc.

For support I give you my life's quote ==> "Trial and error, but then without the error please!"
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64 Media Center Edition
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Made
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 750
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD HD 7750
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Iiyama ProLite B2481HS-B1
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1x 120 GB SSD Samsung 830;
    1x 1.5 TB HDD Seagate;
    1x 2 TB HDD Western Digital;
    1x 3 TB HDD Seagate
    1x 80 GB SSD Vertex 2
    PSU
    Corsair CX 600
    Case
    Corsair Carbide 300R with Side Window
    Cooling
    Intel RTS2011 LC
    Keyboard
    DasKeyboard (blue switches)
    Mouse
    Wacom Baboo Tablet Pen & Touch
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbit FullDuplex Fiberglass
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    I also own the following Microsoft devices:
    * Surface Pro 2 128 GB
    * Windows Phone HTC 8X
Thanks.

PRSNRS
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel Core2Duo CPU E8400 @ 3.00GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Rampage
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 SE
Given the fact that you've marked the thread as solved I assume it worked?

That's great to hear!!!

And you're welcome ofcourse.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64 Media Center Edition
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Made
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 750
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD HD 7750
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Iiyama ProLite B2481HS-B1
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1x 120 GB SSD Samsung 830;
    1x 1.5 TB HDD Seagate;
    1x 2 TB HDD Western Digital;
    1x 3 TB HDD Seagate
    1x 80 GB SSD Vertex 2
    PSU
    Corsair CX 600
    Case
    Corsair Carbide 300R with Side Window
    Cooling
    Intel RTS2011 LC
    Keyboard
    DasKeyboard (blue switches)
    Mouse
    Wacom Baboo Tablet Pen & Touch
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbit FullDuplex Fiberglass
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    I also own the following Microsoft devices:
    * Surface Pro 2 128 GB
    * Windows Phone HTC 8X
Windows installation will sometimes put your boot files an a different partition or HDD, if you format or delete the partition/HDD your system will not boot, ie will not be able to start up.

This is why theog asked for the 'screen shot of Disk management', then we can tell exactly where your boot files are, and instruct you on how to get them to the correct partition/HDD.

A partition that has the 'System' designation has the boot files, the 'Active' flag tells the BIOS where to look for the boot files.
If your 'C' partition doesn't have 'System, Active' then it will not be able to boot.

If you post the Disk Management screen shot requested by theog, we can help you.

Best way to test this, is to disconnect the E drive, see if your system will boot.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64/ Windows 7 Ult x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    76~2.0
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3570K 4.6GHz
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE GA-Z77X UD3H f18
    Memory
    8GB (2X4GB) DDR3 1600 CORSAIR Vengeance CL8 1.5v
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire HD 7770 Vapor-X 1GB DDR5
    Sound Card
    Onboard VIA VT2021
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LCD Dell SP2208WFP
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Samaung 840Pro 128GB, Seagate 500GB SATA2 7200rpm 32mb, Seagate 1TB SATA2 7200rpm 32mb,
    PSU
    Corsair HX650W
    Case
    Cooler Master Storm Scout
    Cooling
    Corsair H80 w/Noctua NF P12 12cm fan, case fans 2X14cm
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave
    Mouse
    CM Sentinel
    Internet Speed
    Abysmal
    Browser
    Opera Next
    Other Info
    Dell Venue 8Pro: Baytrail Z3740D, 2GB Ram, 64GB HDD, 8" IPS Display 1280 x 800, Active Stylus.
    Haswell laptop: HP Envy 17t-j, i7-4700MQ, GeForce 740M 2GB DDR3, 17.3" Full HD 1920x1080, 16GB RAM, Samsung 840 Pro 128GB, 1TB Hitachi 7200 HDD,
    Desktop: eSATA ports,
    External eSATA Seagate 500GB SATA2 7200rpm,
Best way to test this, is to disconnect the E drive, see if your system will boot.

That's exactly what I advies the TS to do in the first place. Given the fact the topic is closed I assume the problem is solved :).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64 Media Center Edition
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom Made
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 750
    Memory
    6 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    AMD HD 7750
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Iiyama ProLite B2481HS-B1
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    1x 120 GB SSD Samsung 830;
    1x 1.5 TB HDD Seagate;
    1x 2 TB HDD Western Digital;
    1x 3 TB HDD Seagate
    1x 80 GB SSD Vertex 2
    PSU
    Corsair CX 600
    Case
    Corsair Carbide 300R with Side Window
    Cooling
    Intel RTS2011 LC
    Keyboard
    DasKeyboard (blue switches)
    Mouse
    Wacom Baboo Tablet Pen & Touch
    Internet Speed
    50 Mbit FullDuplex Fiberglass
    Browser
    IE11
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    I also own the following Microsoft devices:
    * Surface Pro 2 128 GB
    * Windows Phone HTC 8X
Hi All,

I took the cowards way out and reinstalled Win 8 Pro on my C: drive which is a partition. The other drives and partitions will be used with Photoshop and the like. Additionally, I can backup with multiple 3 TB drives I use with a Granite Digital system (external HDs my computers "think" are internal drives). Regardless, I'm trying to attach a screen shot of Disk Management, as requested. Can you tell where my bootmanager is? I'm a repeat offender, unfortunately, as I inadvertently messed with my Win 7 bootmanager as well. However, the repair disc saved me, as it reestablished the bootmgr. The Win 8 repair disc failed me! I think I've learned my lesson.

Disk Management Screen.png
 
Last edited by a moderator:

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win8 Pro
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel Core2Duo CPU E8400 @ 3.00GHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Rampage
    Memory
    8 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 SE
The OS's drive, should look like this.

Disk-Partition.PNG
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    ME, XP,Vista,Win7,Win8,Win8.1
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    Notebooks x 3

    Desktops x 5

    Towers x 4
How did the Win 8 repair disc fail you?

You have two partitions with the 'System' designation, this is where the boot files are, with one OS there should only be one. It should be on the same physical hard drive that the OS is on, this way if you remove another HDD your OS will still boot.

Do not delete, erase, move, or format, any hard drive or partition until you get the boot files to the hard drive with W8.

This is assuming you only have one OS installed, Windows 8.
  • Disk 0, Backup Drive #1, has the 'System' designation (the boot files) and no OS on this HDD. This is also marked 'Active' which is what the OS installer looks for when you install an OS and will put the boot files there.
  • Disk 1, Backup Drive #3 and the C partition with the OS. This should have the 'System' designation (boot files).
  • Disk 2, This has a EFI 'System' partition and Backup Drive #2, Your motherboard cannot use UEFI BIOS, so this can be removed later.
Since you just installed W8 and the Backup Drive #3 is empty, the easiest way to fix this will be to disconnect Disk 0 and Disk 2, then re-install W8 on Disk 1.
When you get the option to format the HDD, format it. It's preferable to have the OS partition in the front of the HDD, your Backup partition should be in the back of the HDD.
Once W8 is installed, and running you can shut down and connect Disk 0 and Disk 2.
They will need to have the 'Active' flag removed, the EFI partition formatted.
The detailed procedure can be given when you decide which way to proceed.

The other option would be to disconnect Disk 0 and Disk 2, and run 'Automatic Repair' from your Win 8 repair disc, this must be ran at least three times with re-boots after each run, this will restore the boot files where they should be, on Disk 1.
Read this tutorial for the procedure: How Run a "Automatic Repair" to Fix Windows 8 Startup Problems
Once the system is booting when only Disk 1 is connected then you can re-connect the other HDDs.

Let us know which way you want to proceed, and we can give more details and answer any questions.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro x64/ Windows 7 Ult x64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    76~2.0
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-3570K 4.6GHz
    Motherboard
    GIGABYTE GA-Z77X UD3H f18
    Memory
    8GB (2X4GB) DDR3 1600 CORSAIR Vengeance CL8 1.5v
    Graphics Card(s)
    Sapphire HD 7770 Vapor-X 1GB DDR5
    Sound Card
    Onboard VIA VT2021
    Monitor(s) Displays
    22" LCD Dell SP2208WFP
    Screen Resolution
    1680x1050
    Hard Drives
    Samaung 840Pro 128GB, Seagate 500GB SATA2 7200rpm 32mb, Seagate 1TB SATA2 7200rpm 32mb,
    PSU
    Corsair HX650W
    Case
    Cooler Master Storm Scout
    Cooling
    Corsair H80 w/Noctua NF P12 12cm fan, case fans 2X14cm
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wave
    Mouse
    CM Sentinel
    Internet Speed
    Abysmal
    Browser
    Opera Next
    Other Info
    Dell Venue 8Pro: Baytrail Z3740D, 2GB Ram, 64GB HDD, 8" IPS Display 1280 x 800, Active Stylus.
    Haswell laptop: HP Envy 17t-j, i7-4700MQ, GeForce 740M 2GB DDR3, 17.3" Full HD 1920x1080, 16GB RAM, Samsung 840 Pro 128GB, 1TB Hitachi 7200 HDD,
    Desktop: eSATA ports,
    External eSATA Seagate 500GB SATA2 7200rpm,
Hi,
I have a similar problem. I have 1 HDD in my laptop with 3 main partitions:
  • C - Windows 8.1 Pro
  • D - Windows 7 (installed before Windows 8.1)
  • E - Data
I just want to format my D partition because I do not use Windows 7 anymore. Problem is that this (D) partition is marked as System and Active.

Can anybody help me how can I mark my C partition as System and Active, or at least how can I format D partition without loosing the option to boot to my Windows 8.1?

I attached a screenshot from my Disk management. (Partition C was not marked as primary, I did it hour ago.)
DiskManagement.png
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro 64-bit
    Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Sony Vaio FW21M
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