Reformatting

hey all computer gurus, I have an old PC I am looking to upgrade and instead of removing all the junk I was going to reformat, but since I have never done it before I have some simple questions about it:

1. If I use the windows built in formatter, does it uninstall windows?
2. Is there any way I can make a space on the hard drive that will not be deleted?

Please Help, The Biggest Helper will not go Unrecognized.

 

Well I personally think that u shouldn't use the builtin formatter, since i've have bad experiences with it. Second, when formatting it's normal for the hd to loose 1 or 2 gb in formatting.

And if u are formatting anyway, think about switching to Linux

 

sorry, the bolded part was misworded.

I ment a space on the hard drive where I could move data that wouldnt be deleted.

 

dunno about 2 (well you could partition an undeleted drive) and i BELIEVE //notshurehere// if you run

Code:

C:\ /f /y

it will format it... (Check it with someone else)

as i said check withsomeone else, im not responsible if you mess it up CHECK

 

1. If I use the windows built in formatter, does it uninstall windows?

window's built in format will NOT format the primary drive [C:\] in windows. A startup or DOS disk can do that for you.

2. Is there any way I can make a space on the hard drive that will not be deleted?

In WinXP, you can make partitions. I would just copy it to CD/DVD, external/internal hard drive, or your pen drive

 

so that means it cant format the entire drive?

grr, what im asking is if I format using the windows utility, will I have to re-install windows?

 

what part don't you understand?!

You cannot go to my computer and reformat your C:\ drive.. it won't let you.

Format means clearing the disk of all data. so, yeah, you will have to re-install it. after a format, there is no data on your drive.. (in the data section of the drive)

 

Navigate to My Computer -> Right click on Local Disk -> Click on format -> and you are done ^_~

 

There are plenty of step to reformat your computer but i dont feel like explain it all now :S sorry

 

ah thanks all

any tips on howto reformat a single drive computer, the one drive having windows?

 

If you have an XP disk, it's simpler than tying your shoes...

pop the disk in, and boot from the cd.
let the setup run, and just ignore that windows is already on your system by pressing escape.
then where it shows your drive(s), choose to delete the partition windows was on (perferably C
then after you delete it, hit 'c' for create and it will format it.

 

u cant fromat ur hdd from windows .... lol yea windows will be deleted...

 

hmm will an XP Upgrade disk work>?

i bought my pc preinstalled with windows...

 

any xp disk will work for a format...

 

psst...look at PM's

and if anyone wants to help me over msn while I format the computer, PMMe and I will give you my msn.