Best way to format the HDD

[dean_ham]

Its been 5+ years since ive formated a HDD

I used to open up dos and type in format c:

So with Windows xp whats the best way of going about it? is it best to boot the windows xp disc up and format the HDD in windows setup?

How do u lot go about it! thanks a lot!

Dean

 

[Si MPS]

i just do it whenever i reinstall windows, i generally write a new partition, format, go.

 

[dean_ham]

would u recommend to partition? does that mean split the hd?

i just want the best option to format my hdd completely and start from fresh

cheers

 

[Matt-Page]

would u recommend to partition? does that mean split the hd?

i just want the best option to format my hdd completely and start from fresh

cheers

Ensure your machine is set to boot from the CD drive before the hard drive.

1) Insert Windows XP CD
2) Allow machine to boot and press enter when it prompts to boot from CD
3) Go through installation and it gives you the option to format to NTFS/FAT32 or to leave it intact.

If yo want to create partitions (1 could be a backup of for data) you will need to delete the current one, and then create 2 new ones. It's simple to follow and takes you through it.

If you haven't formated it in a while, you will notice it running nice and smooth again.

 

[Lysander]

Do you mean best as in most comprehensive... because if you want to totally wipe everything and leave nothing then you need to use a program like DBAN.

If you just want to format your drive before doing a fresh install of an OS I would start your PC and boot from the Windows XP disc. Then go to the Windows repair console and do a quick format.