Reformatting the C drive.

[Trumpton]

I'm wanting to reformat the C drive on an old computer. I know this procedure can be done through DOS. The problem is I've forgotten what you need to exactly type for this to occur?

[Jacques]

Are you sure you want to do that Trumpy?

If you don't know how to format a hard drive then you probably don't know how to boot an OS into your system.

[KJ]

Format C:

at the Dos prompt if you really want to do it.

[Trumpton]

The old computer I'm giving away to a charity shop. It did contain some personal information but I've managed to delete that. However I want to wipe all the information off the C drive. I don't want this old computer finding it's way into the hands of criminal organisations who have the ability to reactivate removed programs and information.

[Trumpton]

KJ wrote:

> Format C:
>
> at the Dos prompt if you really want to do it.

OK, thanks for that. !thumbsup!

[Jacques]

You'd be better off using a data wiper

[Trumpton]

The problem is this old computer of mine is not connected to the internet and all it's internet connection facilities have been removed.

[Sam Slater]

Have you a floppy drive and a startup disk ready? (google on how to make startup disks, and copy fdisk onto the floppy).

Firstly, go into your bios settings and make sure you have the 'boot from floppy disk' (or something simular) selected.

Reset pc with floppy inserted.

Type FDISK on promt and select CREATE PRIMARY DOS PARTITION and reiterate that you do upon being asked again.

After you've created this partition, press escape on your keypad which should reboot the pc.

On the next dos promt, type FORMAT C: /S and confirm upon being asked. (The /S tells the pc to copy over the dos system files.)

When this is finished the pc will reboot. Pull out the floppy as it reboots and you can then re-enter the bios and make sure the 'boot from hdd, or cd-rom' is selected.

P.s. I've had a bit to drink. Jaques will tell you if I told you wrong; but man, these dos commands take me back!!!!!

[sparky]

Download Killdisk