How to perform a low-level format?

Question

Hi everyone,   I need your help.   I have bought a DELL Inspiron 510m. When I used it for the first time, Windows XP Home edition and some softwares were installed. I know I would not use these softwares, so I decided to perform a format. It worked well but it did not remove everything on the hard drive. So, I would like to perform a low-level format to 'clean' the hard drive. I saw on the internet that it is dangerous, one can destroy the hard drive. Do you think I can perform a low-level format? How can I do? Will the hard drive still work after the format? By the way, my hard driver is a Hitachi 60go 5400tr/mn (I guess). Thanks for the answers! Regards, Alexandre.   P.S: Sorry for my English but I'm French.

bacillus · Answer

from what you state, there's no reason for a low level format in your case. simply delete then recreate your partition(s)then do a normal format from xp setup..

johnallg · Answer

Alex, reread the offered help in the last post.  It deals with partitions....

MetroPolice · Answer

Hi and thank you for helping me!   Now, when I start the computer I have to choose between two exploitation systems: the former one which is empty (as I formatted it) and the new one. So, as you can see, the format was not really efficient, even if it removed the softwares.   I would prefer to perform a low-level format to make sure everything will be deleted. Do you think it is dangerous? How can I perform the format? Will the hard drive still work after the format?   Regards, Alex. Message Edited by MetroPolice on 10-27-2004 03:15 PM

MetroPolice · Answer

Thanks for your help.:smileyhappy:   Actually, I deleted the partition, then I performed the format with the CD of XP Home and finally I installed it.   Unfortunately it was not enought to delete all files from the first installation. That is why I woud like to perform a low-level format. Do you understand what I mean?

bacillus · Answer

what you need to do is edit your boot.ini so that it looks like below for xp home edition with sp2 installed on C:

[boot loader]
timeout=10
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

johnallg · Answer

The only way I know to do a low level (not as easy as it used to be!) is to look for a routine on the hdd manufacturer's website.  Just removing all partitions and then making one and formatting it wipes all other references out from being referenced, thought the 1s and 0s may not all be cleared.  If security when selling is the goal, there are routines to write all bits on a drive, but for what you wanted, repartitioning would do it.

Steve1077 · Answer

There is no way any files could be left if you deleted all the partitions and formated the drive, maybe you should try again, low level is only if there is a problem with the drive, you don't want to be doing that unless you really have to

johnallg · Answer

What he reported happened because he loaded over his old configuration.

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How to perform a low-level format?

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