How to write zeros

[ruthe]

My niece has inherited a computer with Windows 95 and lots of garbage on it.

We'd like to wipe it clean to be safe and start over with a newer OS.

How?

Thanks!

[daveleau]

format C:

This can be done by booting with the Windows 95 (or 98) boot disk and then, at the "A" prompt typing the above in. There is no reason to write zeros to the drive, which would be the equivalent of a low-level format. But, I don't think that is what you meant. I think you want to format the drive ('erase' it to install a new OS).

Welcome to TechIMO!
Dave

www.bootdisk.com

for all your bootdisk needs

dave is correct to clean the drive a format will work

[ruthe]

Wow, you guys are fast. Thanks! I assume you guessed that I'm fairly computer illiterate!

[Chiguy]

A format is fine but if you still really want to low level format the drive, there should be some utilities you can download from the hard drive manufacturer to do so.

[muno]

Or there might be an option in bios to perform a low level format.
-M

[dauss]

look in device manager, find out what brand of hard drive it is. Then go to the manufacturer's website and download a tool that will perform a low-level format.