format hard drive

~Patrick~ · 07-29-2003, 06:44 PM

if I was to format the hard drive will it truly erase everything? I want to erase everything and start over. How can I do that?

Wise Young · 07-29-2003, 08:53 PM

Formatting depends on the program. Some programs will actually reformat the whole disk but others simply rewrite the disk directory. This is on Windows?

Wise.

jimnms · 07-30-2003, 12:08 AM

If all you want to do is erase it to start with a clean drive, formatting will do. Better yet is to delete the partition, then create a new one before formatting.

_____
Learn from the mistakes of others, you won't live long enough to make all of them yourself.

Lewis · 07-30-2003, 02:36 PM

If it is a namebrand computer then you might want to check the company web site. I know that the likes of Gateway, Dell , and IBM have articles pertaining to reformatting your Drive.

-Lewis

krstofer · 07-30-2003, 10:36 PM

(not that I come here often, but)
Yeah, what version of the cornicopia of operating systems out there are you using? I've seen a file or two survive a format, but that was way back in my days as a young AB. A fdisk command from dos will cure that, but that can be like walking a tightwire backwards in the dark without a safetynet the first time you do it.
Do you have partitions on the hard drive?
(guessing you have windows)
There will be multiple (C:, D:, E

drives in 'my computer' then (some letter) your cd drive. If so, a fdisk is the way to go. If not, a simple A:/format c: (and if below XP,) /s will do nicely.
You'll need to make or download a startup (boot) disk in order to do any of the above, of cource.

I have every windows operating system, so if you'd like I can make you a 'back-up' copy of something. (hint hint)

~Patrick~ · 07-31-2003, 01:27 PM

First, Thanks for all the info.My computer is a combination of alot of maybes and lets try its, but it works(most of the time). I am running Windows 98 Plus. I have all my back-up disks and a "connection" to a warehouse of programs, but thanks anyhow. If I format and my HD had a partition what will happen? What do I need to do if it does have one?

Steven Edwards · 07-31-2003, 03:12 PM

Basically, a partition is just a segment of your hard drive; it could be as tiny as a few megs or it could, which is most likely, contain your entire hard drive.

Your first partition, generally speaking, is the C drive. Formatting the partition just deletes all the data on the drive. If you want to erase all of your data, just go ahead and format it. Then you can reinstall Windows and all of your software.

-Steven

PN · 07-31-2003, 06:02 PM

Pat,

What is the size of your hard drive?

PN

~Patrick~ · 08-01-2003, 06:00 AM

PN- 8.4

07-29-2003, 06:44 PM	#1
~Patrick~ Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Lewistown,Pennsylvania Posts: 1,517	format hard drive if I was to format the hard drive will it truly erase everything? I want to erase everything and start over. How can I do that?

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07-29-2003, 08:53 PM	#2
Wise Young Administrator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: New Brunswick, NJ, USA Posts: 37,975	Formatting depends on the program. Some programs will actually reformat the whole disk but others simply rewrite the disk directory. This is on Windows? Wise.

07-30-2003, 12:08 AM	#3
jimnms Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Mississippi Posts: 2,673	If all you want to do is erase it to start with a clean drive, formatting will do. Better yet is to delete the partition, then create a new one before formatting. _____ Learn from the mistakes of others, you won't live long enough to make all of them yourself.

07-30-2003, 02:36 PM	#4
Lewis Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Boston, Ma Posts: 1,322	If it is a namebrand computer then you might want to check the company web site. I know that the likes of Gateway, Dell , and IBM have articles pertaining to reformatting your Drive. -Lewis

07-30-2003, 10:36 PM	#5
krstofer Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Corvallis, Oregon Posts: 277	(not that I come here often, but) Yeah, what version of the cornicopia of operating systems out there are you using? I've seen a file or two survive a format, but that was way back in my days as a young AB. A fdisk command from dos will cure that, but that can be like walking a tightwire backwards in the dark without a safetynet the first time you do it. Do you have partitions on the hard drive? (guessing you have windows) There will be multiple (C:, D:, E drives in 'my computer' then (some letter) your cd drive. If so, a fdisk is the way to go. If not, a simple A:/format c: (and if below XP,) /s will do nicely. You'll need to make or download a startup (boot) disk in order to do any of the above, of cource. I have every windows operating system, so if you'd like I can make you a 'back-up' copy of something. (hint hint)

07-31-2003, 01:27 PM	#6
~Patrick~ Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Lewistown,Pennsylvania Posts: 1,517	First, Thanks for all the info.My computer is a combination of alot of maybes and lets try its, but it works(most of the time). I am running Windows 98 Plus. I have all my back-up disks and a "connection" to a warehouse of programs, but thanks anyhow. If I format and my HD had a partition what will happen? What do I need to do if it does have one?

07-31-2003, 03:12 PM	#7
Steven Edwards Administrator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Acme Labs Posts: 15,530	Basically, a partition is just a segment of your hard drive; it could be as tiny as a few megs or it could, which is most likely, contain your entire hard drive. Your first partition, generally speaking, is the C drive. Formatting the partition just deletes all the data on the drive. If you want to erase all of your data, just go ahead and format it. Then you can reinstall Windows and all of your software. -Steven

07-31-2003, 06:02 PM	#8
PN Moderator Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: California Posts: 5,588	Pat, What is the size of your hard drive? PN

08-01-2003, 06:00 AM	#9
~Patrick~ Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Lewistown,Pennsylvania Posts: 1,517	PN- 8.4