How can i get my computer to format the hard drive without the dell recovery disc?

Answer 1

You need a recovery disk or a Windows CD or else formatting wil be useless. You can install an Operating system, but you cant just format or else you wont be able to access any programs unless you want a unix based system.

To format your harddrive you will need to get a recovery disc or a Windows CD.
No boot disc is necessary unless you are trying to install Windows 95.
The recovery disc will usually come with your computer, if you dont have one, you will need to call your computer manufacturing company and order one.
The recovery disc and the windows CD will partition your harddrive and it will wipe out your memory and start from fresh.

Otherwise, you can try restoring your system instead. Go to START, then programs, then accessories, then system tools, and use system restore to restore your system to a previous date.

Answer 2

Your question is too broad... what do you hope to accomplish by formatting your hard drive? Install another OS? If so, you can simply run the OS CD and it will allow you the option for formatting your hard drive. And you cannot format your C: drive in Windows.. it won't allow you. If you're hoping to re-install Windows XP without all of the Dell 'extras' installed, you're going to have to purchase a full version from a retailer at a cost of around $175 to $200. Or search Pricewatch.com for a copy without COA and simply use the Windows Serial off the side of your computer.

Answer 3

start the computer at the command prompt:

type in c: and hit the enter key

the prompt will then read C:\

At that point just type in format

then press enter

Then Y for yes


Or you can go to My Computer, right-click the C: drive and select Format.

Answer 4

I don't know what operating system you have and am not sure of exactly what your situation is because the question you asked is very general. But you should be able to follow the following advice to Linda from a site called www.thundercloud.net Good luck. It's not hard at all.
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How To Format Your Hard Drive and Reinstall Windows XP
(Windows XP Home, Media, or Professional Editions)

Linda Wants To Format Her Mom's Computer and Reinstall Windows XP.
Do you have a tutorial or something of that nature to help me along in the process of reformatting my mom's new Dell computer? She's had nothing but trouble for some reason so I thought maybe I should take it back to the beginning and just install what she wants installed. Thanks for all your help!! Linda

Answer
Hi Linda. Before we answer your question, we want you to be aware that formatting a computer will delete all files, programs and settings on that computer. So if your mom has anything important she wants to save. If she doesn't save it, she will lose it. It's important that she knows this before you begin to format. And for those reading this, formatting your own computer, especially if you have a Windows XP CD is very easy. Most computer shops will charge anywhere from $100 to $200 to format a computer and reinstall Windows. So, you can save a lot of money by doing it yourself.

If you have a Windows XP CD the simplest way to format your hard drive and reinstall Windows XP at the same time is to do the following:

1. Insert your Windows XP disc into the CD-ROM.
2. When the splash screen appears, choose "Install Windows" and then select "New Installation (advanced)".
3. Follow the onscreen instructions step-by-step until you’re asked to restart your computer.
4. Windows Setup will automatically restart your computer and Windows setup will launch again when you restart.
5. You will be asked to select a partition on which to install Windows — most commonly, computers have no partitions, in which case you can simply press ‘Enter’.
6. Choose between a quick format that leaves data on your computer but marks it inaccessible, or a full format that will delete all data on the drive.
7. Windows XP automatically installs after the drive is formatted.
8. Immediately after Windows installs you should plan on spending some time getting Windows up-to-date. That means a trip to http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and downloading any updates, patches and fixes to keep your Windows installation current.

We want to mention that you can save step number 8 by slipstreaming a Windows XP CD. That essentially means you take the guts out of the Windows XP CD, download all the Windows updates, and burn a new CD which you then use to format and re-install Windows. But, it's much simpler than it sounds and if you're not an advanced user, we suggest you use the method described above for the best results even though you will have to invest a little more time. It will take you between one hour and three hours (depending on the speed of your connection, your computer, and how many device drivers and Windows updates you have to download) to complete the format and reinstallation of Windows XP. So make sure you do it when you have plenty of time to finish the job.

If you don't have a Windows XP CD, your computer most like came with a so-called "Recovery" CD or some kind of recovery program included on the hard drive. Most computers that don't come with a Windows XP CD-ROM (and for those of you considering purchasing a new computer - make sure your new computer comes with a Windows XP CD. Do not buy a computer unless the company you're buying from gives you a Windows XP CD with it!) come with a recovery CD. If you're one of the unfortunate people who have a Windows XP computer but don't have a Windows XP CD, you can still "format" your computer. Just insert the recovery CD in your CD-ROM drive and follow the instructions. Any time you do a "recovery" using a recovery disk, you're essentially formatting and returning your computer to the exact state it was in when you bought it. The problem with this is that many times new computers come with a lot of pre-install software you may not want or need. And you may have spent quite some time removing all the software that came pre-installed that you didn't want, use, or like. After you do a "recovery" you're going to have to go back and uninstall all the pre-installed software that you do not want. Plus, you'll have to make one of your first Internet sojourns Windows Update. You're installation will not be up-to-date and you'll need to download every security patch, update, and fix that Microsoft issued since the date your computer was manufactured.

Finally, none of us want to have to go through a format. But sometimes, if you're computer is running poorly and starts to act strangely, there is simply no other way to make it run "like new" again (despite what Veloz.com says). Months and years of installing software, uninstalling software, exposure to spyware, adware, malware and other junk, and just the daily use of your computer simply takes its toll, no matter how careful you are. Back in the days of Windows 95 we used to format every three months. When we had Windows 98/ME we formatted about every six months. And now with Windows XP we can go 18 to 24 months without formatting. After your format is complete, you'll most likely be glad you did it. Nothing short of a new computer runs better than a freshly formatted computer with a fresh copy of Windows installed.

Answer 5

dont think you can reformat the hard drive without the disc, but you can use the restore feature to reboot at an earlier date., you can also call dell and ask them.