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Format
a disk
When
you format a disk, you erase all its files and prepare it as if
it were a new, blank disk. You can format a second hard drive or
a drive partition in Windows. To format your C, or boot drive, however,
you need to use DOS. The following describes how to format a hard
drive using Windows 95/98 or DOS 3 or later.
Windows - Second Drive or Partition
Steps:
1. Double-click the My Computer icon.
2. Single-click the second drive icon to select it.
3. Open the File menu and select Format. The format window displays
the hard disk capacity.
4. Select Format type and enter a disk label. If you want to start
up (boot) from the second drive, check the "Copy system files"
box.
5. Click Start. Windows displays a warning box. Read the warning,
and then click OK to begin formatting.
Warnings:
The format procedure deletes all files on the hard disk. This action
is not reversible. Be sure to back up any files you want to keep.
DOS - C Drive
Steps:
6. If you are formatting the C drive, you need to boot from a floppy
disk and use DOS to format the C drive. Start the computer using
a startup floppy disk (see "How to Create a Startup Floppy
Disk").
7. Turn on the computer. The screen should show the A:\ prompt.
8. Type CD C: to switch to the C drive.
9. Type "FORMAT C: \S \V". This command formats the hard
disk, transfers the appropriate system files to make it a startup
disk, and prompts you for a new name. The "\V" command
is optional.
10. Enter the new disk name.
11. Eject the floppy disk and restart the computer. The hard disk
is ready to receive files.
Warnings:
The format procedure deletes all files on the hard disk. This action
is not reversible. Be sure to back up any files you want to keep.
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