formatting C:?

[Bob Hansen]

Hi Group,
I have a question about doing a complete reformatting of my hard drive. In
the past, when I choose to reformat, there seem to be some files and folders
left which I created, and were not removed during the reformat. In past
versions of Windows, I used to run a series of DOS commands to make sure the
hard drive was completely clean. I have a Dell and so I have their
proprietary CD. But I also have a Microsoft XP Pro CD which I'm considering
using. Any ideas on how to completely clean my hard drive will be greatly
appreciated.
Bob

 

[molsonexpert]

Hi Group,
I have a question about doing a complete reformatting of my hard drive. In
the past, when I choose to reformat, there seem to be some files and folders
left which I created, and were not removed during the reformat. In past
versions of Windows, I used to run a series of DOS commands to make sure the
hard drive was completely clean. I have a Dell and so I have their
proprietary CD. But I also have a Microsoft XP Pro CD which I'm considering
using. Any ideas on how to completely clean my hard drive will be greatly
appreciated.
Bob

Boot using the XP CD (you may need to alter your BIOS settings for this) and
follow the instructions.

steve.

 

[Alias]

Hi Group,
I have a question about doing a complete reformatting of my hard drive. In
the past, when I choose to reformat, there seem to be some files and folders
left which I created, and were not removed during the reformat. In past
versions of Windows, I used to run a series of DOS commands to make sure the
hard drive was completely clean. I have a Dell and so I have their
proprietary CD. But I also have a Microsoft XP Pro CD which I'm considering
using. Any ideas on how to completely clean my hard drive will be greatly
appreciated.
Bob

Go to the hard drive's web site and download the programs for formatting and
partitioning your hard drive. They should fit on one or two diskettes. Do
NOT order their CD for this purpose.

Once you have the diskettes made, reboot your computer with the first
diskette in the floppy drive and follow the programs instructions to do a
FULL format (write zeros to the HD) and make sure that you choose NTFS at
4kb per cluster when you partition the drive. Once you're finished, boot
into the BIOS and change the boot order to CD first and stick your XP Pro in
the CDROM and you're on your way. Once XP's installed, put your boot order
back to the default.

Alias

 

[Alias]

If he doesn't follow my instructions, he won't get rid of the MBR.

Alias

 

[Melvin Ho]

You may delete the partition while running the XP setup. Selected the new
partition to install XP and do a normal format(Not Quick) to NTFS.

Melvin

 

[Bob Hansen]

Thanks, I appreciate your responses. I'm sure I'll get what I want this
time. And thanks to all of you who work these groups. Your work is very much
appreciated.
Bob

 

[Alex Nichol]

I have a question about doing a complete reformatting of my hard drive. In
the past, when I choose to reformat, there seem to be some files and folders
left which I created, and were not removed during the reformat. In past
versions of Windows, I used to run a series of DOS commands to make sure the
hard drive was completely clean.

You do it as part of a reinstall of the system after booting the XP CD
direct. Enter Setup, and after the license agreement take New Install.
When it asks you to confirm where, hit ESC; select and delete the
current partition and make a new RAW one to be formatted at the next
stage

The important point is the delete. Without that it will just go ahead
and make a new install over the top of the old one, which is what seems
to have happened at your earlier attempt