Formatting

How to Use the Format Command

(Note: The FORMAT program is very powerful. Unless you are familiar with this program, DO NOT run FORMAT from within Windows via the DOS Prompt!)

1. Insert the Startup disk in the floppy disk drive, restart your computer, and then use one of the following methods, depending on your operating system.

For a Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, or Windows ME Startup disk:

a. When the Microsoft Windows 98 Startup menu is displayed, select the Start computer without CD-ROM support menu option, and then press ENTER.

b. At a command prompt, type in without quotes, "format c:" and then press ENTER.

NOTE: If you receive a "Bad command or file name" message, you may need to extract the Format.com utility to your Startup disk. To do this, type the following command at a command prompt, and then press ENTER:

extract ebd.cab format.com

After the Format.com utility is extracted to your Startup disk and a command prompt is displayed, type format c:.

c. When you successfully run the Format.com utility, you receive the following prompt:

WARNING, ALL DATA ON NON-REMOVABLE DISK DRIVE C: WILL BE LOST!

Proceed with Format (Y/N)?

Press Y, and then press ENTER to format drive C.

d. After the format procedure is finished, you receive the following prompt:

Volume label (11 characters, ENTER for none)?

This is an optional feature that you can use to type a namefor the hard disk. Type an 11-character name for the drive, or leave it blank, and then press ENTER.

e. Repeat steps a through d for any additional drive letters that you created.

Back To Part 1 > Why Should I Format? > Page 1, 2,3

In addition to what dmiles gave you, what do you wish to accomplish with your format?

Prepare a new hard drive to load Windows 9X/Me?

format c: /s

The "S" switch copies the system files onto the drive and makes it possible to boot from the hard drive.

Make sure all files are deleted?

format C: /u

The "U" switch forces Windows to format the entire drive. On a drive that is formatted, Windows will default to a "Quick Format" that only erases the FAT (file allocation table).

NOTE: Even the format /u command is NOT a good way to wipe a drive to prevent file recovery. You need a security utility that writes a data pattern to the drive several times to make it very difficult to recover the data from the drive.

If you planto install Windows 2000 or XP, you do not need to even partition a new drive. The installer will guide you through creating a boot partition and formatting the partition.

Chas

In addition to the above if you are formatting to delete win XP be careful of large drives when you go to another OS.THis can be a PROBLEM!!!

First get Diskette/Disk Set-up from 3M and then run it - follow the instructions - then transfer the drive and or diskette content to the set-up and finally go to c:/ and in caps type Format whatever drive you need to format including c drive. I don't type commands in but inform with instructions as a computer can up-chuck from them being on the screen when you hit 'enter' or bump some combination of buttons in-advertantly; up-chuck; A mainframe discriptive that is very clear especially if you have a printer hooked directly to the computer as a satelite or a peripheral.

I agree with dmiles if you are not familiar with DOS to Format yor drive will be the easier task because the worst will be after.
C:\>format c:/s this command allow to format and transfer the command.com to your pc
tks
ear

Boot to a floppy with dos and the format command.

Type the following

format c:

THIS WILL DESTROY EVERYTHING ON THE C: DRIVE

Good Luck Lee