Completely erase my hard drive

Question

Hi, A few months ago, someone at the tech support told me how to completely erase my hard drive since I had many viruses. But I forgot what to do. It was more than just reformatting my HD by re-installing Windows XP because she said that reformatting would not completely remove some viruses. I think I had to type something in DOS. No extra software had to be installed. Now my colleague would like to do the same operation. We both have a Latitude D510 with Windows XP Pro. Thanks in advance for your help!

bobh621 · Answer

Gp to My Computer and right click on your hard drive. You should see Format in the pull down menu.

jackshack · Answer

It is not possible to format the drive that the computer booted from. You must use the Windows reinstallation CD to delete the existing partition (NTFS, C: drive), create a new partition in the now unused space, and instruct setup to set up Windows on that partition, which leads to a format prior to the actual installation.

If you choose to do that you will need to have the drivers for your computer available for installation following your os installation. You should have a Dell Resource Disk for this purpose, but you can also find your drivers by using the drivers and downloads icon at the lower left of this page and following the on screen directions. Install drivers beginning with the Dell Desktop (or Notebook, depending on which you have) System Software (if it exists for your system), the Chipset Installation Utility, Video Adapter, Network Adapter, Sound Adapter, Modem (if you have one), and remaining drivers in the order of your choice.

If you bought the computer from Dell and you are still using the original hard drive, you may have the Dell Restore Partition on your computer. If you do, you can access it by restarting the computer, pressing CTRL and F11, releasing both at the same time, during the Dell logo screen. One indication that you have this partition is that during boot up you will see a blue bar at the top of the screen just before Windows loads. You must release both keys at the same time before this bar disappears.

Message Edited by JackShack on 11-16-2007 09:20 AM

bobh621 · Answer

When I did a reinstall using the CD, it did not format my hard drive. I think the format command will erase everything.

Tralogik · Answer

Hi, Isn't it the same as just inserting the XP CD and then re-install XP? Or is it a 'stronger' formatting?

Tralogik · Answer

Hi JackShack, Sorry for the delay in answering your post. I think I have a Dell Restore Partition on my HD. When I go in Computer Management, I have a partition in FAT called EISA Configuration with a capacity of 63 MB; is that it? I hope it is! I checked and I don't have any blue bar and nothing happens when I press CTRL and F11 while the Dell logo appears. Thank you!!!

Message Edited by Tralogik on 11-20-2007 06:20 PM

jackshack · Answer

Sorry, I'm afraid not.  I should have remembered at the time that the restore partition was placed only on home equipment and not business.  The partition you have found is the diagnostic partition.  I'm afraid you're going to have to perform a reinstallation using the Win XP CD and drivers as I outline in my previous post.

Tralogik · Answer

Well, I guess that's what we will have to do... Thanks very much for your time!!

jackshack · Answer

You're quite welcome.  Good luck to you!

CommoGrunt · Answer

Darik's Boot and Nuke disk. DoD level erasure. Free, easy to use, works great... After that you can do a clean install with no worries.

Windows General

Completely erase my hard drive

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