how to format computer 

format is teh term used with computer storage devices like hard disk, CD, DVD, Floppy disk etc.. so there isnt anything like formaqtting a computer ... Format is the structure of a file that defines the way it is stored and laid out on the screen or in print. The format of a file is usually indicated by its extension. For example, .txt after a file name indicates the file is a text document, and .doc after a file name indicates it is a Word document.

Answered by Sai P at 10:03 PM on March 05, 2008

1. Make sure you have all the necessary CDs to restore your system. DO NOT format your hard drive if you do not have these discs.

2. “Back Up” your personal files (e.g. My Documents folder). All files will be lost once your hard drive is formatted. You will need to reload any files from your back up disc that you want on your newly formatted computer.

3. Put your operating system installation CD (Windows XP) into your CD-Rom drive.

4. Restart your computer and rapidly press F2 to get to the boot priority screen.

5. Use the arrow keys to move to the “Boot” tab.

6. Set first boot device to the CD-Rom drive with the Windows XP CD in it.

7. Save and Exit (F10, I think)

8. When prompted, quickly press any key to boot from the CD.

9. Wait while it loads…

10. Hit ENTER to set up Windows.

11. Continue installing…

12. Press “D” to delete the main partition.

13. Confirm delete.

14. Yes to set up Windows XP on new partition.

15. Press ENTER to format the partition.

16. Wait while it formats the hard drive (takes about 30 minutes or more).

17. The rest of the Windows installation process should start automatically, be easy to follow, and self-explanatory.

Answered by Deepak at 4:38 PM on March 03, 2008

well nath u better check in If you have Windows: yes

1.Backup your data. yes

2.Get a windows CD (not a restore disk).

3.Make a boot disk. yes to all

4.Boot with the boot disk.

5.Type fdisk, see here:

http://hardwarehell.com/fdisk.h tm

6.Type "format c:" or "format c: /s"


Here are more answers and opinions from other WikiAnswers Contributors:

Another way to format your hard drive is to do the following: I am supposing you are going to install the operating system after you have formatted the drive, you must have the Operating system CD (that is Windows 98, Windows 2000 or Windows XP.Go into the BIOS settings of your PC, usually by pressing the delete key in a clone computer, the F1 key in an IBM and the F10 in a Compaq when you first start the computer. You have to set the start up options to CD first, floppy or removable drive second, and the hard drive third. Save the settings and come out of the BIOS settings. Place the CD in the CD drive and restart. The computer will recognise the CD drive and begin copying files. You will be prompted to install Windows in another location if the system recognised another operating system. It will also ask if you wish to format the drive and will give the option of FAT32 or NTFS. NTFS affords more security options and works better, although it is not compatible with older systems that use FAT32. Format the drive and continue with the installtion of the operating system.

1. Backup your files.
2. Backup your VGA/sound drivers. (if stored in the hard drive)

3. Place the bootable windows CD on the CD-ROM

4. Boot on CD-ROM

5. on the command line, type cd win98 then press enter.

6. type format c:/s/u/v then enter

7. Wait for a couple of minutes.

8. Done.


XP will format the disk for you. Just boot from the CD and tell it to format

Answered by varadaraju at 4:16 PM on March 03, 2008

insert a bootable CD - go on ms dos - type format and the name of the drive if you want to format your hard disk.

Answered by Nisha at 2:31 PM on March 03, 2008

Well Sahabri , Formatting is to initialize a disk to prepare it for use.

The disk is checked for errors and organized so that data can be recorded and retrieved. Formatting a used disk erases any previously stored information.

We don’t need to do anything.

There are commands which can take care of this.

If you are using Ms-DOS, the command is Format.
Just go to particular drive and write Format

Example :
C:\> Format < Enter Key>
The above command format C drive and make it empty .
or
To format some other drive another ways is :
Format < drive name>
C:/> Format D: < Enter key >
The above command format D drive and make it empty .

In Windows OS It is very simple

Just Right click on the drive you want to format and click "Format..."
Follow the steps to format the drive.
Another way is when you install / reinstall Operating system , You have the option to format your System drive .

Hopefully , This would help you out

Answered by alokgupta14 at 1:08 PM on March 03, 2008