How To Format My Hard Drive?

Question

i already know about saving my files. but how do i format my hard drive, do i just pop the Windows Vista disk in and update all my drivers, or do i need to do something to my computer before i can do that. like is there somewhere on my computer i have to tell my computer to format my computer, then i just pop the disk in, shutdown, then cut it back on or what. sorry i'm not familiar with completely starting over my computer. once i get that done, do i just pop in my System Recovery Disk to get it back to Factory default.

is it possible even if i were to do that, would my computer crash. can the System Recovery disk i bought become infected when i completely restored my computer back over in order to get the crashes to stop, which by the way are still occurring which is why i'm thinking about formatting my hard drive, or is it a waste. i think it's because some how certain Windows files have been lost or corrupted. i'm thinking about saving up my money and just get a Windows 7 computer. speaking of which, has anyone here had their Windows 7 for years without any problems.

Herectic · Accepted Answer

I have been using windows 7 sense it was a free beta release and it is waaaaaay better than Vista.
If you have a full copy of your operating system disk then all you need to do is pop it in and follow the prompts. It should ask if you want to do a clean install. A clean install will format the drive and then load Windows from scratch. DO NOT just reinstall windows or do a "dirty install" it's a waist of time.

Alex S. · Answer

First of all, if you have never reformatted a PC before, I would strongly suggest using the Recovery CD they gave you. No need to install the OS, just pop in the CD, restart your computer and it should boot from the recovery CD to wipe your hard drive to factory fresh settings.

That being said, you will always get better results doing a manual reformat and OS install. However, you need to be aware of all the drivers you will need to install. The upside to this method is that it installs none of the junk software your manufacturer put onto the machine.

Oh, and Vista really sucks. Get yourself a copy of Windows 7. No need to buy a new computer most likely. Just install 7 and watch how much faster everything will run on the same machine.

? · Answer

the guy with the homestead windows ninety 8 disk might desire to understand a thank you to format the complicated force they'll might desire to have or have the skill to make a ninety 8 initiate disk,or you may desire to call and order a clean disk for the computer you have,I certainly have had to try this.

Cirric · Answer

Hi. If you understand the repercussions of a true format (data loss and all) then click on "My Computer" or "Computer", right click on the drive you wish to format, and select "Format". It will warn you what will happen.

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How To Format My Hard Drive?

4 Answers