How do I do a FULL format in Windows 7 command prompt

Vidya · 27 Nov 2011 at 19:52

Ok I want to fully format my hdd before I install windows on it, I hear you can by command prompt, at the minute I've got the command prompt up over the installation setup.

Can anyone tell me what commands I need to put in to fully reformat ( not quick format like the one built in to the installation disk)

my hdd is 1TB, I know it will take a very long time.

I think I need to delete partitions too and I'm not sure how to delete them/i dont know what my drive is classed as probably C: but since the command to reformat my hdd will probably require me to know it's volume size name etc could you tell me what commands I would need to put in to find out, thank you

Vidya · 27 Nov 2011 at 19:59

I know how to do that, I'm talking about a full format of the HDD using the command prompt by pressing shift + F10 during the install, the option where you get to format/delete only does quick formats

Vidya · 27 Nov 2011 at 20:02

no it doesn't, the one on the windows 7 install only does quick formats/deletes partitions

Vidya · 27 Nov 2011 at 20:08

its not in use by the OS, my computer is running off my windows 7 on my usb

Vidya · 27 Nov 2011 at 20:13

yeah, I don't know how to do it though, what's the commmand for it?

Also, I'm not sure what letter my drive is, how can I find out from a command

Vidya · 27 Nov 2011 at 20:19

But I want it to check my HDD for errors, which a quick format, does not

Vidya · 27 Nov 2011 at 20:22

I didn't ask for opinions on why I should or shouldn't do it, I just wanted to know how

Vidya · 27 Nov 2011 at 20:40

when I put Format :C it asks me for my
volume label
what is that? I thought it was the C

Vidya · 27 Nov 2011 at 21:10

does every hdd HAVE to have a disk 0 and disk 1

Vidya · 27 Nov 2011 at 21:23

when i list my disk I've got

disk 1 - 931gb free etc
then a
disk 0 - 7760 something mb stored 0mb free

what is disk 0, is it a partition of windows or is it just the HDD?

Vidya · 27 Nov 2011 at 22:05

nah I unplugged it and it still showed up