im selling the laptop and want to format the harddrive.... and thats it--- i dont wish to install a new os....... is this possible without a disk? i do have my xp disk can i use tyhe windows format and not choose to install xp?? without compromising laptop?
2007-02-07 13:14:54 · 4 answers · asked by vinylman_music 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
Since you are selling it you will want to make sure all traces of personal information are gone. I suggest using the free, open source, program Eraser to create a disk from which you can format the hard drive.
2007-02-07 13:21:56 · answer #1 · answered by Arcking 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need a boot up disk to boot the system to DOS mode. Then you can format from there.
Secondly, you can use an XP disk, and get it to reboot, it will run the CD and prompt you. During one part of the installation, they will ask you to format the drive, then you click format without installation.
Thirdly, bring to a computer shop and they have the tools to format for you.
Fourth, you can take out the harddisk, plug into your computer as slave, and use window to format the slave drive.
But finally, i will say, it is not good to sell a laptop without OS inside, because when you selling laptop, people need to test the sound, the screen, everything. If there is no OS, how they check? Just reinstall everything will be good enough.
2007-02-07 13:22:45 · answer #2 · answered by larry_lum 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As others have said, you need to get to a DOS prompt, and then type Format C:. You can download a bootdisk from http://www.bootdisk.com, or for far more options, see
http://www.ultimatebootcd.com. The first one can be burned to a Floppy. If the BIOS (what you get when you first boot) is not set to try to boot from the Floppy before the hard drive, then you would need to use a boot CD. Or can change the boot order by entering the BIOS, but you have to be careful if you are new at this. You can follow the directions at the first site to burn a boot image to a CD; there are plenty of instructions there. (or see your burning software).
But as said by someone else, if you are going to sell it then it is best to to a clean install of the OS that belongs with the Laptop.
Failing that you could download and burn the Linux Knoppix live CD as an ISO image. It works quite well (though slower bcz it runs off the CD) and should show that the PC works good.
2007-02-07 17:13:42 · answer #3 · answered by www.peacebyjesus 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what u need boot disk for window 98 and let reboot in dos and when it stop type format C: and fol ow the pro ceders....
2007-02-07 13:21:27 · answer #4 · answered by Oasis 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋