Can you format a hard drive from the system setup?

Question

I've got a dell computer that I am unable to log on to, and all I want to do is format the hard drive. Is it possible to do this from the system setup??

Answer 1

If you have the Windows CD (not a Restore disk, but a full version), then you should be able to select "Fresh Install" - which will prompt you to format at that time. Make sure you have the Windows license - there should be a sticker on the side or back of the computer with 25-character code (5 groups of 5 letters and numbers). You will need to restart the computer with the Windows CD in the computers drive - you will need to press the space bar when you see "Press any key to install Windows" - or, however it's put.

After you get Windows installed, you may still need to install the drivers - software that tells the computer how to use the hardware, such as the Ethernet/LAN port, sound card, video card, etc. Dell has a great website to get the drivers (support.dell.com). If you will be installing Windows 2000 or Windows XP, they should have the drivers for the Ethernet/LAN, which will allow you to download the other drivers. You should download all the drivers you will need (save them to the desktop for easy finding). Install them in this order:
chipset
video
LAN/Ethernet (if needed)
Audio/Sound.

I used to work on Dell computers where I would format, then install the drivers...

After you get Windows installed, make sure to do the Windows Updates - click Start, Windows Updates.

I would also suggest going to google ( http://www.google.com ) or from the sites mentioned below, to download and install these free programs:
StartRight ( http://www.joejoesoft.com/vcms/113 )
AVG ( http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1 ) - anti-virus
search http://www.download.com for these
Spybot
Lavasoft Ad-Aware Personal SE
TweakNow Registry Cleaner

If you have a DVD player, then install Cole2k and you'll be able to watch DVDs without purchasing any other software. ( http://www.free-codecs.com/download/Cole2k_Media_Codec_Pack.htm )

If you have a DVD burner, then you should also get DVD Shrink to back up your DVDs ( http://www.softpedia.com/progDownload/DVD-Shrink-Download-4128.html ). It will take an 8GB DVD, copy and shrink it to 4.35GB onto your hard drive so you can burn the cheaper type of DVDs. (You should get Nero to burn DVDs - you can get it cheap at http://www.surpluscomputers.com.)


Other software you might want:
OpenOffice.org ( http://www.openoffice.org ) - similar to, and compatible with, Microsoft's Office, but free!

Zip Central ( http://hemsidor.torget.se/users/z/zcentral/dlenselect.html ) - similar to WinZip, but always free - not needed if you have Windows XP

Get free games:
http://www.download.com

If this helps you, maybe you can share this information with others.

Answer 2

in the previous answer you're given the drive install order...and that's mostly right. but Dell systems require you to install drivers
Dell Notebook/Desktop System Software
Chipset
the remaining drivers have no special order.
if you dont install the System software before the Chipset you'll have crazy things happen like usb ports randomly stop working, your network card stop working and things of that nature.
I currently work for Dell tech support in Round Rock, TX

Answer 3

Yeap.
Boot with the Windows CD in, you can delete the partition, and/or format. It's part of the Windows setup. Very easy.

If you just need to reset the password, there are programs for that.