Formatting Hard drive


  1. Posts : 7
    windows xp
       #1

    Formatting Hard drive


    Purchased new comp without operating system, after installing my own Windows operating system found they had sent me the wrong spec of computer. Now have to return for correct comp spec to be sent to me. My question how do I format the hard drive to remove windows and return the comp in the clean condition I received it. Your help gratefully appreciated.
    joni
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 17,796
    Windows 10, Home Clean Install
       #2

    Just make another clean install. All your info and the old OS will be gone.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 2,752
    Windows 7 Pro x64 (1), Win7 Pro X64 (2)
       #3

    If you have "activated" the installed Windows using the product key you used, you may have a problem installing Windows again on the replacement machine they send you... depending on the nature of that product key you used.

    If it's an OEM key, it can only be used on the one machine it was used on. It can't be used on another machine.

    If it's a retail key, it can only be used on one machine at a time. So you need to "de-activate" it on the current machine before returning it, and then you'll be able to use that key again to freshly install Windows again on the replacement machine when it arrives.

    As far as doing a FORMAT of some kind on the hard drive before returning it, if you haven't put any of your own proprietary data on it yet I wouldn't worry about it. They're going to re-load the hard drive with whatever they put on it whenever selling a new machine no matter what you do. So just be sure to "de-activate" the product key if you used a retail key and if you've already activated your installation of Windows on this machine.

    NOTE: MS is reasonably reasonable in understanding that people sometimes forget to de-activate a Windows installation before doing a hardware upgrade (or swap, as in your case). So the automated activation that is attempted from the second install will likely be rejected by their Registration Server. You'll then have to use the "activate by phone" method, and possibly have to speak to someone who will manually "void out" your previous activation using the retail product key, and then will give you some new numbers to enter into the onscreen "phone activation" window in order to accomplish the new activation successfully.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 439
    Windows 7 pro x64 SP1
       #4
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 11,408
    ME/XP/Vista/Win7
       #5

    Clean the HD Drive, using Step one in this tutorial:
    SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #6

    Just use the Windows dvd to format the drive, then just take the disc out, done.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 548
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64 SP1
       #7

    If you're really paranoid about completely wiping your HDD before sending it back, I would suggest using DBAN.

    Tutorial: https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...ard-drive.html
      My Computer


  8. whs
    Posts : 26,210
    Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
       #8

    AddRAM said:
    Just use the Windows dvd to format the drive, then just take the disc out, done.
    Right, that is the easiest way. Run command prompt from the installation disc with these commands:

    Diskpart
    List disk

    Select disk n (where n is the number that was given for your disk in List disk)
    Clean All
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 2,409
    Windows 7 Professional 32-bit/Windows 8 64-bit/Win7 Pro64-bit
       #9

    King Arthur said:
    If you're really paranoid about completely wiping your HDD before sending it back, I would suggest using DBAN.

    Tutorial: https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials...ard-drive.html
    DBAN might be a bit overpowered and may wear the drive.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 7
    windows xp
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Many thanks for all your suggestions and help. Managed to wipe hard drive clean from the many inputs you sent.

    Thanks again joni
      My Computer


 

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