How to Reformat the C Hard Drive on a Gateway Essential With Windows 98

Hard Drive Platters

Formatting a hard drive completely erases the information from the disk. Sometimes, this makes it easier to start over and install a new operating system. For older computers running Windows 98, reformatting the hard drive is accomplished in DOS with a blank floppy diskette. This allows you to boot in DOS and use the "format" command to delete information from the drive.

Things You'll Need

• Blank floppy disk

Instructions

1. Insert the blank floppy disk into the drive. Click the Windows Start button and select "Run." Type "command" into the text box and press the "Enter" key.

2. Type "format a: /s" into the DOS command prompt. This deletes any information from the floppy disk and copies the necessary system files, creating a disk that boots you to DOS when inserted into the machine.

3. Leave the floppy disk in the drive and restart the computer. With the disk in the drive, the computer detects the bootable floppy and uses it to bring you to a DOS command prompt.

4. Type "format c: /s" into the DOS command prompt. The computer will display the message, "Are you sure you want to erase everything on drive c:" Formatting a hard drive removes all the information, so as long as you have your documents saved, press the "Y" key to continue.

5. Wait a few minutes as the format program completes the process. This can take several minutes if the hard drive is a large capacity drive. Once it's complete, remove the floppy disk and reboot the computer. You will now boot directly to DOS and the hard drive is formatted.

References

• computerhope.com