Best way to format?

[Vyx]

I there like a better way to format, like runing the windows xp disk and doing it from there or like throught the command prompt or is it all the same or what?

[John Prophet]

Formatting a new drive?

I tend to install on drives that already have been used lots..so I am always using "quick" format from the XP cd.

The coolest way to me is to format a small hard drive..leave it blank after the format..then make a ghost copy of it. Put that image on a bootable cd....you boot from it..ghost it ober..WHAM..formatted drive in about .5 secs...(after you press ok, lol)

[Gettinbye]

Neat trick, JP I'll have to try it...
If you're looking to format a drive that has a potential virus or sensitive data that you don't want to come back, I'd write the entire drive to 0's to make sure it doesn't come back. If a virus or personal data is not an issue, standard formatting or JP's trick should be fine. I tend to use DOS format with the \u switch. The switch doesn't do anything significant(data can still be recovered after the format), but it makes me feel better

[noprob]

-> here <-
is the assistance you ask for.
scroll almost all the way down that page to format to locate the directions you are seeking.
-> this <- is the home page of this very helpful XP site.



Edit I must protest concerning the asumption of the format /u switch to be of no use.
IMO



Edit # 2 that is what the /u switch does - writes 0's(zero's)

[John Prophet]

Ive never written 0's...would have no clue how to, lol.

[Gettinbye]

Quite right, NP...I must be more careful when posting in the wee hours

[John Prophet]

(I like axcel 216s site, lol..a small treasure trove)


"unconditional"....is that any different than when you try to do format /q but it wont allow it cuz it isnt formatted to start with so it says something like "cannot perform quick format, proceed with unconditional format?"

[Prison Kids]

Originally posted by John Prophet
Formatting a new drive?

I tend to install on drives that already have been used lots..so I am always using "quick" format from the XP cd.

The coolest way to me is to format a small hard drive..leave it blank after the format..then make a ghost copy of it. Put that image on a bootable cd....you boot from it..ghost it ober..WHAM..formatted drive in about .5 secs...(after you press ok, lol)

Great tip! thanks