If you reformat your hard drive do your CD drives still work?

Question

If I was to reformat my laptop's hard drive, would the CD drive still work (or the drives on my desktop computer if I reformatted it)? and if not, how would you reinstall it? Also, how do you reformat it without starting Windows?

Answer 1

Yes, the CDROM will still work. You format the C: drive after you boot from the CD with the windows CD

Answer 2

first you back everything up and make sure you have a working CD code. Then you can boot from CD, let it reformat, then reinstall. The tricky part is, you will need to put some drivers on CD or flash drive before you do this. Because you can't download the drivers for your network card (and wireless card) if they aren't working.

Answer 3

If you are reformatting the main drive (usually C) that means you are re-intstalling the OS. Usually the restore disk that came with the laptop does the reformatting for you. Usually a boot disk has the software on it to make the CD drive work. (www.ultimatebookdisk.com)

Answer 4

To reformat Windows is to format software, the operating system. The CD drives are considered hardware. If they are working properly now, they will work properly after you reformat the operating system.

To format is to completely erase everything (including Windows) on the hard drive which leaves you to begin at Square 1.

You can check to see if the CD drive is working properly by:
Start
Settings
Control Panel
System
Hardware
Device Manager
Right-click on the CD drive and select Properties
you will see if it is working properly

Re: formatting your hard drive -- are you sure this is what you want to do. Personally, I would try to correct a situation before formatting and having to install and reconfigure everything as I had it.

If you are using XP, you might want to take a look at:
WindowsXP System Restore – excellent link – explains with graphics
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/getstarted/ballew_03may19.mspx

WindowsXP Repair Tools
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm#How%20to%20Repair%20Windows%20XP%20by%20Installing%20Over%20top%20of%20Existing%20Setup:

http://www.download-download-this.com/4.html?OVRAW=Windows%20Installer%20corrupted&OVKEY=window%20installer&OVMTC=advanced

Fix and/or Repair Windows
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_repair_install.htm
http://www.onsitechicago.com/support/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=23&nav=0

WindowsXP Repair Explained
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/options_to_use_when_a_system_will_not_start.mspx?mfr=true

Format the Hard Drive
http://www.ehow.com/how_6026_format-hard-drive.html

How to Perform a clean WindowsXP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
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Answer 5

What do you advise reformat? Are you attempting to reinstall homestead windows or merely wipe the CD sparkling? in case you pick homestead windows then you certainly will could desire to have the CD. in case you desire to reformat it then you certainly can hook it to a distinctive computing gadget and format it.

Answer 6

//Solution Provider : Eroz Awari S.G.M.School Navsari
You need a bootable operating system CD.
After formating the system, insert the bootable CD in the drive and restart the system.
When it starts go to the BIOS. and change the boot sequence to your cd-rom drive.
Save the changes.
the booting will takes place. follow the instruction for the installation process for the O.System.

---Hope it will be helpful to u
Thanking u.
--EErox

Answer 7

the CD drive always works it would not work only if needs drivers and u havent installed for the CD drive.

Answer 8

All optical drives have basic firmware installed that Windows will recognize. So you'll be fine.