How do i do a complete reformat of my harddrive?

Answer 1

Repartition the disk first. If you have a tool like fdisk, or you are installing Windows XPor some new system, make sure you delete the existing partition, then repartition and format. This will ensure you have wiped out everything and are starting fresh. Thanks, http://www.desktopsupport.tv/

Answer 2

Hello,

(ANS) You will require x2 tools in order to complete this task,

No.1 you need FDISK

(or the new MS windows equivalent tool, cannot remember what its called off the top of my brain)

No.2 you also need FORMAT

**Fdisk allowes you to define, create or delete the hard disks partition information & lets you asign logical drive letters. Once you have done this then you would format the drive & partitions.

**Format, you have to format the drive/s after you have used the Fdisk tool so as any partitions & drive letters can be used.

**Also the tools you require depend a great deal on the system type of the computer i.e. windows, linux, or appleMac. I've mentioned the tools required for MS windows and for the NTFS filing system, but linux uses a different filing system & different tools & the same applies to Mac's.

IR

Answer 3

It all depends on what you intend to install after you have wiped it clean by formatting. Will you be installing Windows XP?

If so, go ahead and insert your Windows XP installation disk and reboot your computer. This should (hopefully) cause the computer to start up in Windows XP Installation mode when you turn your machine back on if your computer is set up to boot from the CD drive (which most machines nowadays automatically do without you having to change anything).

I found a website that leads you through the installation process step by step with pictures. Step 5 is the one of importance to you. This is where you select a partition and can decide to delete it (recommended) and recreate a new one. Then, Windows will automatically ask afterwards in Step 6 what you wish to do concerning formatting your system.

The site is http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp

The rest should be a piece of cake :)

Have fun backing up and reinstalling,

Riven

(if you are going to be installing something other than Windows XP, please share this in additional details, or perhaps post a 2nd question altogether and include that information)

Answer 4

1) Usually if reinstalling XP from a bootable cd, it will give you the option of reformatiing the HD.
2) Boot to a portable USB stick that has command OS on it, and format the HD.
3) remove the HD and install it as a second drive slave. Then from My Computer, you can right click, format the 'second drive'
4) remove HD,install into a portable external HD case, and then from My Computer, you can right click, format the 'external drive'

Basically, you must boot to another HD, from a bootable CD, or USB for format the C drive. If you boot to the C drive, it will not let you format the drive, unless you are running Win98.

Good luck.

Answer 5

But a cloning software program. It will do all of the reformmating and partitioning for you. I highly recommend Acronis True Image...it was a breeze to use for a novice like myself.

Answer 6

|If using windows Xp, you can use the Help & Support built into the OS, go to Start-help & support , and search on the index for format a volume, it gives detailed info and is very easy to follow

Answer 7

goto my computer choose drive to format (C:) and than right click mouse and srcoll to Format.. hope this helps