First time posting here, I am an admitted microsoft-user, and am not all too good at linux really =/ My friend told me to get knoppix to get around the NTFS file permissions on a harddrive that got attacked by a virus. I needed some data off etc.

Well, when I try to reinstall windows to this harddrive I get this IRQL_LESS_THAT_something-or-other error, and I was thinking maybe somehow it is an after effect of the virus. I get this error after all the setup files load and it proceeds to the screen where you choose if you want to install windows or repair it. Both options bring me to the IRQL error. When I use my old, blank 6 Gig HD it installs perfectly fine, but if I hook the 120 (my main HD) up as a slave it gives me the same error.

Anywho, I was wondering how I can format my harddrive using knoppix. Looked for an answer for a while and can't find anything really cut and dry. I'm using knoppix 3.7 off of a CD.


Thanks for any help you can provide, just try to keep it semi-easily worded =)

-max

you will find a program in knoppix called qtparted

its like partition magic

I doubt that in this case Knoppix could be the rescuer. Anyway, when you install Windows you get the chance of formatting your drive, or you could use a Win boot floppy to do it.
But take a look at some hits from a google search for "IRQL":
http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/5695/
http://forums.viaarena.com/messagevi...&enterthread=y
http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?act=ST&f=19&t=52712
http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/4915/
http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/winxp/1122918378
http://techrepublic.com.com/5208-633...hreadID=177375
Do the search yourself if you need more links.

Well, the qtparted worked like a charm. I unpartitioned the harddrive completely, formatted it as ext3, and did some shred command a friend of mine told me would make sure there was absolutely no trace of any data on the harddrive. I dont pretend to know how or why data on a harddrive would keep windows from installing, but it looks like this may have very well been the case. Thanks to those of you who helped!


Oh, and the knoppix recovery of the data went fine, knoppix came with support for my burner and the software to do so, took me no time at all. I should probably get around to using linux one of these days.. =)


Thanks again,

Mechmax

Glad that it worked