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Thread: Formatting

  1. #1

    Default Formatting

    Hullo,

    I want to completely clean my old PIII, it has XP on it. I want to get rid of windows and all additional programs. How to ?

    Thanks.
    Abandon all hope.

  2. #2

    Default Re: Formatting

    btw. in kiddy language please. I am not technical.
    Abandon all hope.

  3. #3
    Lesbian Rebel Member Mikeus Caesar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Formatting

    Go to Start, Run, type in command. It should come up with that black box thing. Type in 'C: Format'. It should ask you 'yes' or 'no'. Type in 'y'.

    That's the simplest way i know of.

    EDIT: It might be 'Format C:' rather than 'C: Format'. Try both.
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  4. #4
    Clan Takiyama Senior Member R'as al Ghul's Avatar
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    Default Re: Formatting


    Dude, what's that supposed to do?
    Self-destruction mode?
    Windows can't format the drive that it's living on.

    Mithrandir,
    Start/boot from the Original CD, select the Recovery console
    and type "format c:\" or there maybe an option to select.

    Why do you want to do it? Do you want to sell it?

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  5. #5
    Lesbian Rebel Member Mikeus Caesar's Avatar
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    Default Re: Formatting

    Another way of formatting it is to remove the drive from computer, hit it with a sledgehammer a bit, then throw it out of a window. Pick up the remains, and keep on using it. And trust me, a bit of sellotape will solve any problems caused by this method, whereas sueing me for its failure won't.
    Quote Originally Posted by Ranika
    I'm being assailed by a mental midget of ironically epic proportions. Quick as frozen molasses, this one. Sharp as a melted marble. It's disturbing. I've had conversations with a braying mule with more coherence.


  6. #6
    Clan Takiyama Senior Member R'as al Ghul's Avatar
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    Default Re: Formatting

    Okay, seriously.

    If you want to get rid of the PC (sell it) and make sure that all data
    is deleted, formatting alone won't do it. Xiahou just posted a tool in the
    freeware/open source thread that is capable of deleting everything beyond recovery.
    For such an operation you either need a working Operating System (XP f.e.) or a Live-CD or your original WinXP-CD to access the harddrive.
    If you just want to reinstall Windows, than just boot your XP-CD and make a new install, thereby deleting/overwriting all content. Viruses, malware etc. will go away, too.
    If you want to install a new OS, like linux, on the harddrive than the setup of that OS will be capable to clean the drive for you during install.

    What's it gonna be?

    Singleplayer: Download beta_8
    Multiplayer: Download beta_5.All.in.1
    I'll build a mountain of corpses - Ogami Itto, Lone Wolf & Cub
    Sometimes standing up for your friends means killing a whole lot of people - Sin City, by Frank Miller

  7. #7
    Boy's Guard Senior Member LeftEyeNine's Avatar
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    Default Re: Formatting

    Mithrandir,

    If you just want to get rid of everything on you HD, R'as al Ghul has already explained the way. However if you want a new, fresh Windows, then setup of Windows will lead you to formatting of your drive when you choose to install Windows -not the recovery console- in setup's first option screen. And when it propmts for which file system to use, choose "format using FAT file system". Since your PC is old a bit that you may face compatibility issues if your system fails in the future. However NTFS is a more optimal file system in case you want to try it. I'm using it peacefully.

    Good luck

  8. #8
    Clan Clan InsaneApache's Avatar
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    Default Re: Formatting

    Go into BIOS (I think it's the delete key as you're booting up)* change your boot start up to cd-rom. Save. Place XP disc in drive. Re-start. Then when you get the prompt 'boot from disk?' press Y.

    It will give you an option to format and create Partition. When it re-starts sit back and relax. Do not press Y again when prompted.

    Hope that helps.

    *not all computers use the same key - but mine is delete key.
    Last edited by InsaneApache; 03-11-2006 at 14:11.
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