How to format your internal hard drive from DOS

When you're having trouble formatting your internal hard drive, go back to what started it all...old school ~ 'DOS'. These instructions were made to be fast, easy and set for the non computer savvy.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• a computer
• a connected internal hard drive
• XP setup disc (to make it easy)

1. notes:
   *This way is using the XP setup disc and after you've tried to format within Windows setup and it "hung" "froze". So in other words, all your data is already saved or lost.
   * If you have a Vista disc, that is NOT an upgrade, then you can use it instead of XP, but if it's an UPGRADE disc for XP, you must use your XP first. Using your computers Recovery disc, may reformat your hard drive, but that depends on your computer system.
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   First Step: Place your XP setup in your CD/DVD drive
2. Restart computer
3. Once the computer restarts, start it from disc, so click any key.
4. You are now in the windows setup. Go through the steps until you reach the "Welcome to Setup" page. Click 'R' for Recovery.
5. Once you click 'R', it will take you to DOS. Don't panic. You can always type EXIT..but stay, for now.
6. -- added-- if you want to do something else besides format (not recommended if you aren't sure what you're doing) you can go through the DOS menu by typing :: - help - (without dashes) and it will pop up the DOS menu- a long list. Go through the list and type as is. Need help with a menu item? then type the menu item then space then /?. EXAMPLE: format /?
7. Next to the C prompt, type: FORMAT C: /Q (the Q is for quick -- don't want it quick? leave the /Q out)
8. now proceed with the format. click 'Y' on your keyboard. Do realize, all your data on your hard drive will be lost, so do not do this unless you've already saved your data, if you can't access your hard drive and/or if you have no choice. If you do not want to proceed, just click 'N' on your keyboard and then type EXIT at the prompt.
9. You can watch the format process on your screen. If you did not type /Q, which is Quick, then it will be awhile. If you did, it should be no longer than 20 to 30 minutes, but that actually depends on the size of your hard drive..it could be longer.
10. Once it is complete, it will let you know and then you can type 'Exit' at that time.
11. Once complete, the computer will restart, then just go through the Windows setup process, as normal. (click 'Enter' at "Welcome to Setup" - instead of 'R')
12. Once you're at the "format hard drive" just choose: "Leave Hard Drive Intact with No Changes"...then you're set. Setup Windows.

Tips & Warnings

• Use these instructions for when you have tried to use Windows format process within setup. Windows, at random times, "hangs"/"freezes" during the format process and this is an excellent way to bypass that.
• Instructions are for using the XP setup disc. If you'll be using your Recovery disc, it will bypass a lot of these instructions. It should walk you through your Recovery, along with reformatting your hard drive. If not, follow the top instructions, which is using DOS.