Command Prompt for Full Format

Vidya · 28 Nov 2011 at 22:07

What is the command prompt for a drive which doesn't have a label like "C:" yet? How do I assign it a name 'cause i've booted my computer off my usb with windows on it and i wanna format my HDD in cmd prompt on it

I want to do a full format, not a quick one so please just stay on topic.

Vidya · 28 Nov 2011 at 22:38

Is it impossible to format an unpartitioned hard drive?

fowler002 · 28 Nov 2011 at 23:13

I guess you didn't like the answers in your last thread on this

Fuzz · 28 Nov 2011 at 23:32

Isn't it just "FORMAT C:/s"

Ch3m1c4L · 29 Nov 2011 at 11:11

format c: /U

Although it is pointless for your windows install,since that just writes 0's to the whole drive, it does not do error checking which is what you want. Just use the built in quick format and then once in windows load cmd prompt and type chkdsk c: /b

that will check the entire drive, attempt recovery of any data on bad sectors and also re-map any bad sectors to the spare sectors on the drive. You could also do a full format, and then a chkdsk from the same command prompt before installing windows, but it is literally a waste of time unless you are trying to erase the data on the drive, in which case you can get better tools like secure erase? which will repeatedly wipe the drive with zeros thus decreasing the chance of recovery of data with every pass it does.

LizardKing · 29 Nov 2011 at 11:48

You'll need to use Fdisk to create a partition first.

Memphis · 29 Nov 2011 at 13:20

Can you explain what you're trying to achieve, because I'm afraid based on your first two posts, I don't think you quite know.

Deception · 29 Nov 2011 at 14:44

Memphis said:
Can you explain what you're trying to achieve, because I'm afraid based on your first two posts, I don't think you quite know.

I wouldn't even bother. He has several open threads on exactly the same problem in GH

Thread 1

Thread 2

Admiral Huddy · 30 Nov 2011 at 14:44

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18346930