How do I format C:?

Lobber · Post by **Lobber** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 6:30 pm

It seems like it should be a basic simple thing to do, to start anew, fresh, with a clean slate, virus and trojan free... yet for some reason this simple process eludes me. Restarting doesn't give me an option. Reinstalling windows doesn't give me the option. I can't do it while windows is running from either a command prompt or from the explorer window. I cannot even make an MS-DOS boot disk because I'm getting an I/O error from my disk drive, either the drive's bad, or the connection is bad, or the 7 year old 3.5 floppies are bad.

I am out of options other than buying a new hard drive.

Jagger · Post by **Jagger** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 7:03 pm

Nope. Most HD vendors provide software that allows you to format your drive. Of course, if you CAN boot into a command prompt, fdisk usually works.

Avder · Post by **Avder** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 7:21 pm

Assuming you have xp or 2k, and the CD is bootable, boot from CD into windows setup and at one point in the install it wil lask where to install to. You can then delete the partition by pressing the button listed.

Just make sure you back your stuff up.

AceCombat · Post by **AceCombat** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 7:40 pm

Lobber wrote: How do I format C: ?

YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!

Lobber · Post by **Lobber** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 8:30 pm

Ok, thanks vader, that worked. Fresh new start here.

CDN_Merlin · Post by **CDN_Merlin** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 8:49 pm

Ace, we are talking about slobber here. Come visit us on Kali and you'll take that remark back

Lobber · Post by **Lobber** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 10:00 pm

I quit Kali, didn't you get the memo?

CDN_Merlin · Post by **CDN_Merlin** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 10:27 pm

You quit kali? OMG. What will we do for laughter now?

Or did you get caught trying to screw a 14yr old again?

fliptw · Post by **fliptw** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 10:44 pm

I'll put my money on the floppies being bad.

Ferno · Post by **Ferno** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 11:14 pm

CDN_Merlin wrote:Or did you get caught trying to screw a 14yr old again?

uh yea.. nice low blow pal.

MD-2389 · Post by **MD-2389** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 11:29 pm

Avder wrote:Assuming you have xp or 2k, and the CD is bootable, boot from CD into windows setup and at one point in the install it wil lask where to install to. You can then delete the partition by pressing the button listed.

Just make sure you back your stuff up.

You don't need to delete the partition. You're given the option to format it or leave it alone after that step.

Merlin: That was low, even for you.

Lobber · Post by **Lobber** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 11:44 pm

I won't even bother replying to Merlin's attempted flame. Suffice it to say that I decided I didn't want to unecessarily expose myself to people like him any more.

Also, Deleting the partition allowed me to select formatting it. Unfortunetaly, Windows still thinks that my CD key is invalid and therefore I cannot get the service pack upgrades.

STRESSTEST · Post by **STRESSTEST** » Sat Sep 04, 2004 11:46 pm

it's working. spewing flames, from merlin I see. time for a lock..