How to Format a Computer With No Restore Disk

Formatting a computer can be a chore. Without your manufacturer's restore disk, the process can seem even harder. However there are other options to format your computer's hard drive in preparation for a new operating system to be installed. This article will explain how to format a computer with no restore disk.

Things You'll Need

• 6 Floppy Disks Operating System Disks 2nd Computer

Instructions

Complete Format

1. Download a copy of the Maxblast software from Maxtor and run the installation. Setup will request you insert a floppy disk into your drive for it to copy the Maxblast program data onto it. Insert disk.

2. After the program has finished copying the data, exit the program. Insert the floppy disk into the computer you wish to format.

3. Power on the computer.
   Choose option "F" to boot the program from the floppy disk when prompted by the program.
   Choose "Maintenance" in the program menu to begin setting the parameters of the format. Consult the help menu at the bottom of the screen for any question. After the format, all data will be permanently lost.

For a Windows Installation

1. Boot your operating system (OS) from the CD/DVD-ROM drive. Power on your computer. Insert the OS CD into the drive.

2. Key the setup command to enter into your computer's BIOS. The BIOS is the computer's core hub of operation. Depending on the brand of computer you have, the setup command will vary. The computer's start-up process will display your key. Press it to enter the BIOS.

3. Consult your computer's operating manual for specific direction for using the BIOS. Set your CD/DVD drive as a bootable drive. Exit the BIOS. The computer will exit the BIOS, restart, format and install your operating system. If you don't have a bootable copy of your OS, you will need to launch the setup from floppy disks in collaboration with your CD.

4. Download a copy of Microsoft's start-up disks from the official site or another trusted, secure website. When you run the program, It will ask you to insert a floppy disk. It will write the Window's start-up files to each disk until the data has filled all six of your floppy disks.

5. Insert the first disk into your floppy disk drive on the computer you wish to format. Power on the computer.

Tips & Warnings

• Formatting your computer will permanently erase all data on your hard drive.

Resources

• Windows Setup Disks Download
• Setup Disks
• Maxblast