Can't Unmount or Format Hard Drive

[jchase45]

I want to install windows on a free hard drive I have but the windows instalation said it can't install cuase it needs NFTS. So when I go to format and unmount my hard drive in Ubuntu I get this error

Error unmounting: umount exited with exit code 1: helper failed with:
umount: only root can unmount /dev/sda1 from / 

[cogier]

Windows will not see Ubuntu but Ubuntu will see Windows.

If possible install Windows first then Ubuntu.

You could remove the Ubuntu hard drive and install Windows then put the Ubuntu hard drive back. (You may need some extra help with Grub which I can't help you with)

[jchase45]

I don't need it to see it I just want it to format and or unmount

[cottfcfan]

Try using the gparted live Cd instead.
You can get it from here:
http://gparted.sourceforge.net/download.php

[jchase45]

When I try gparted from Ubuntu I get these errors

The partition could not be unmounted from the following mount points:

/

Most likely other partitions are also mounted on these mount points. You are advised to unmount them manually 

[ephmanjmm]

Boot from the LiveCD and use gparted. You most likely will not be able to unmount / if you are using it for the running OS.

[jchase45]

There is no RUNNING OS on it. I have 2 seperate drives , well 3 if you count my back up. 2 that have OS's instaleld. I have a lost Ubuntu install on the other one and now I can't acess it or format it or unmount it or anything.

[jerenept]

I want to install windows on a free hard drive I have but the windows installation said it can't install cause it needs NFTS. So when I go to format and unmount my hard drive in Ubuntu I get this error

Error unmounting: umount exited with exit code 1: helper failed with:
umount: only root can unmount /dev/sda1 from /

You are trying to unmount the partition that holds the running OS. do not do this, choose another partition/hard disk to use. You can't unmount the partition mounted at "/". Ever.

Besides, you can delete Ubuntu partitions from the Windows install disc. They show up as "Unknown"

[jchase45]

Let me repeat myself

There is no RUNNING OS on it. I have 2 seperate drives , well 3 if you count my back up. 2 that have OS's instaleld. I have a lost Ubuntu install on the other one and now I can't acess it or format it or unmount it or anything.

[ephmanjmm]

The error messages you posted state that you are trying to unmount / .

Boot from the LiveCD, use gparted and partition and format the device you want to change.