formatting a encrypted hard drive

Cary in PA · Nov 19, 2014

Hello,
I have a Dell Vostro with windows7 professional 32bit that I bought back in 2008. I had the drive encrypted because I used to take it with me for work and school and besides I didn't want my kids to download games on it. Well time went on.. I bought 2 other laptop & stopped using the Dell. I'm going back to what I was doing. Here is my problem. I want to format the drive, it gives me access denied. No matter what I do. I have software's that I want to use and download. Problem it does not work on Windows 7 either 32 or 64 bit. What I have was designed for XP. I paid a lot of money for it. I would have to buy it again and I don't want to. It's too expensive. These are all study medical programs that I bought when I was in school. I'm up to my witz end and I don't know what to do. I really don't want to spend another 4K for it. Dell wont help without a fee. Obviously the service contract expired.

Thanks
Cary

Paul NZ · Nov 19, 2014

So what did you do?? Connect it to another PC I take it??

If you did, get this zipped file from here

Extract it then dbl click on it.

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/add-take-ownership-to-explorer-right-click-menu-in-vista/

Right mouse on this hdd / select take ownership. Then it should let you format it

Cary in PA · Nov 19, 2014

A former school mate encrypted the drive for me. At the time I thought it was a good idea. I have no idea what he did. It served it purpose for me. I can't access Diskpart and I do have the Administrator password. When I tried to go in net user the Administrator is inactive. No matter what I do it does not go back to active.

Honestly all I want is to install these program onto the Dell I really don't care how. That is why I thought of formatting the HDD. I have Windows XP disk install. I thought it was easier to do this way.

Paul NZ · Nov 19, 2014

So what version of windows are using now. If its Vista/Win 7 / 8 use that file. Altho it may have to be a Pro version

Cary in PA · Nov 19, 2014

It's a Dell Vostro 1320 using Windows 7 Professional Service pack 1. 32bit operating system.

It had Windows XP on it. I upgraded to Windows 7 end of 2009. What a mistake I made.

Paul NZ · Nov 19, 2014

And have you got any way of connecting this hdd if you want to format it?

Cary in PA · Nov 19, 2014

Not sure what you mean by connecting this hdd.

Paul NZ · Nov 19, 2014

Well you have to connect it to something else (besides putting it in this laptop). if thats what you did

Since you cant format it if you booted from it. And youre using it

So WHAT have you been trying to format it on?

Cary in PA · Nov 19, 2014

I'm using the laptop now.
It was not connected to anything.
Question..
If a HDD was encrypted, how do I find out what partition it was encrypted to.

Paul NZ · Nov 19, 2014

So what was it connected to when you said this?

Here is my problem. I want to format the drive, it gives me access denied.

Cary in PA · Nov 19, 2014

I dont get what you are saying.

Im using the Dell vostro laptop now.

Paul NZ · Nov 19, 2014

I know what youre using but HOW did you try and format this encrypted hdd.

If you booted into windows with it you cant format it. You have to connect it to another computer to format it

Cary in PA · Nov 19, 2014

I never connected it to another computer. Don't want to take the chance in messing up anything.

I went to Diskpart and also to net user to make Administrator active.

I should of made my self clearer. I tried to delete files. No matter what I did. It gave me Access Denied.

Paul NZ · Nov 19, 2014

Well if you never connected it to anything you must have booted into windows with it. And if youre trying to delete windows files it wont let you

Because, windows is using the files

Cary in PA · Nov 19, 2014

Yes I found that the hard way.

Either way. I'm still stuck with a laptop that no matter what I do it gives me Access Denied. I can't wipe out any files. I have years of notes and program here that is useless and it looks like I have to buy an old laptop with windows xp on it so I can download these program.

I am in the hope of getting recredentialed and I have years of notes and program and books that I need to literally memorize.

My question to you or anyone here is... I have this fort knox security on this laptop that I need to get rid of. UGH.. I have Windows 7 on it that I need to delete and I need to install Windows XP installed.
How the lovely heck do I do a clean re-install.

How I wish I would of not upgraded to windows 7 and how I wish I would not have secured this laptop.
I might as well as stick this laptop back in the closet where its been for the past 2 years.

Paul NZ · Nov 19, 2014

Well THAT's what I was trying to tell you.

The only way youre going to format it, is if you connect it to a desktop. Or you'll have to buy some kind of enclosure and connect it to this laptop

ex_bubblehead · Nov 19, 2014

Cary in PA :

You're making this far more difficult than it needs to be. Just boot the XP installation CD, choose to remove any existing partitions, then create a new partition that will then be used to install XP. No need to use any other software.

Cary in PA · Nov 19, 2014

Ok I'll give it a try and let you know.

Cary in PA · Nov 29, 2014

That worked perfectly. Since I have the XP installation disc, the only thing I had to do is format the C partition. I had no choice, besides I didn't care what was in it. (So I thought)

Any way I was able to install all my programs and notes. YAY.. You saved me a ton of money and time.

The only issue I have now is I have no network and cannot connect to the internet. When I had Windows 7 on it, it was fine. I'm guessing there are drivers missing. Things can't be simple. Ugh.. I have no idea what card, it's in it. How do I check..

formatting a encrypted hard drive

Reputable

Polypheme

Reputable

Polypheme

Reputable

Polypheme

Reputable

Polypheme

Reputable

Polypheme

Reputable

Polypheme

Reputable

Polypheme

Reputable

Polypheme

Titan

Reputable

Reputable

Share this page