How Do I Format without installing Windows???

DavidWright05 · 10-04-2006, 09:37 PM

My windows is busted and my comp freezes whenever i try to load windows safe mode or not... I was thinking I would have to re-install windows, then format my disk, then re-install windows again... is there any way to format it without having to install windows first?

when i insert the Asus CD that came with my MoBo it boots to a option for drivers and for something called "freedos"

I hit freedos and it took me to a DOS command prompt... I entered "Format C:" but it says the "C:" only has 32 MB on it... so i'm assuming it's working with some virtual mini-drive and not the actual drive right? I should not format that right??? help!?!?!?!

SirKenin · 10-04-2006, 09:39 PM

No, that is the limit that Freedos can see on your drive. Just boot from the XP CD and if you don't want to do a repair, tell it to repartition and reformat the HDD. Then install fresh. The second option is the one I would take if it was me.

Bobo · 10-04-2006, 09:40 PM

THere is no way to format without having to reinstall windows.

Insert your XP disc and just format it as you reinstall it.

DavidWright05 · 10-04-2006, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobo

THere is no way to format without having to reinstall windows.

Insert your XP disc and just format it as you reinstall it.

The thing is... my windows CD doesnt give me any formatting options, it just installs windows...

Bobo · 10-04-2006, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidWright05

The thing is... my windows CD doesnt give me any formatting options, it just installs windows...

It shouldn't.....when you select which partition to install on, hit "F" or something to format it.

tlarkin · 10-04-2006, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobo

THere is no way to format without having to reinstall windows.

Insert your XP disc and just format it as you reinstall it.

yeah this is totally not true. There are plenty of free and pay for applications that allow you to format a HD. Partition magic is just one off the top of my head that I can think of.

Are you wanting to format it to NTFS, or just RAW and make it so it has no format?

Bobo · 10-04-2006, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlarkin

yeah this is totally not true. There are plenty of free and pay for applications that allow you to format a HD. Partition magic is just one off the top of my head that I can think of.

When you format a drive, Windows is not there any more. How would you use it without Windows?

DavidWright05 · 10-04-2006, 10:07 PM

ok you guys are right windows gave me the option to repair or reformat and reinstall, i just re-installed, seeing as i only had like 4 programs installed

SirKenin · 10-04-2006, 10:11 PM

Yeah, no fuss, no muss. I like doing that every once in a while just for something to do.

blake67T · 10-11-2006, 06:28 AM

close thread please

10-04-2006, 09:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
DavidWright05 Silver Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 126	How Do I Format without installing Windows??? My windows is busted and my comp freezes whenever i try to load windows safe mode or not... I was thinking I would have to re-install windows, then format my disk, then re-install windows again... is there any way to format it without having to install windows first? when i insert the Asus CD that came with my MoBo it boots to a option for drivers and for something called "freedos" I hit freedos and it took me to a DOS command prompt... I entered "Format C:" but it says the "C:" only has 32 MB on it... so i'm assuming it's working with some virtual mini-drive and not the actual drive right? I should not format that right??? help!?!?!?!

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10-04-2006, 09:39 PM	#2 (permalink)
SirKenin banned Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 4,711	No, that is the limit that Freedos can see on your drive. Just boot from the XP CD and if you don't want to do a repair, tell it to repartition and reformat the HDD. Then install fresh. The second option is the one I would take if it was me.

10-04-2006, 09:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bobo banned Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Pittsburgh Age: 16 Posts: 6,623	THere is no way to format without having to reinstall windows. Insert your XP disc and just format it as you reinstall it.

10-04-2006, 10:07 PM	#8 (permalink)
DavidWright05 Silver Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 126	ok you guys are right windows gave me the option to repair or reformat and reinstall, i just re-installed, seeing as i only had like 4 programs installed

10-04-2006, 10:11 PM	#9 (permalink)
SirKenin banned Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 4,711	Yeah, no fuss, no muss. I like doing that every once in a while just for something to do.

10-11-2006, 06:28 AM	#10 (permalink)
blake67T New Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 8	close thread please