How to do a low level format on a XP and a Vista machine
I am going to do a clean install of Windows 7 Ultimate on my Dell Dimension 8300 and on my Dell Inspiron 9300. As these machines have been around for a while I wanted to be sure there that all disk sectors are checked and corrected if necessary and have a clean disk to load Windows 7.
What is the most efficient way to go about this?
What is the most efficient way to go about this?
Xenix
I usually stick to the zero-fill & diagnostics utilities of the harddisk manufacturers, do you know the manufacturers of the harddrives in those machines?
thesurfer31,
what you need to do then is a simple format and a check disk from a windows xp machine.
you dont need a low level format for an installation.
hth
what you need to do then is a simple format and a check disk from a windows xp machine.
you dont need a low level format for an installation.
hth
Boot from Windows installation DVD and full format the drive. No other third party tools are needed for this purpose.
ASKER
noxcho,
Does Windows 7 provide those tools so I can do a low level format of the hardisk? I have not even opened the box yet.
Does Windows 7 provide those tools so I can do a low level format of the hardisk? I have not even opened the box yet.
When you run installation of Windows 7 you get to its partitioning tool where you can delete all existing partitions from HDD and then create new one formatting it.
In XP for example you get claim to press combination of keys to delete and format a partition.
In XP for example you get claim to press combination of keys to delete and format a partition.
ASKER
Guys,
I found the following about NOT doing a low level drive
http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/geom/formatLow-c.html
My Dell Dimension 8300 is 10 years old and my Dell Inspiron 9300 is 5 years old.
What do yall think?
I found the following about NOT doing a low level drive
http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/geom/formatLow-c.html
My Dell Dimension 8300 is 10 years old and my Dell Inspiron 9300 is 5 years old.
What do yall think?
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ASKER
noxcho,
Ok, I will do that.
Now for a related question. I have an "OEM" on the first partition of the first drive which is "C" while the windows environment is installed on partition two of that drive. Can I just create one partition to hold Windows and my basic files?
Ok, I will do that.
Now for a related question. I have an "OEM" on the first partition of the first drive which is "C" while the windows environment is installed on partition two of that drive. Can I just create one partition to hold Windows and my basic files?
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ASKER
Thanks....