Windows 7: Re-Format Hard Drive.

Hi Guys.
Briefly. I tried to reformat my dads hard drive to reinstall windows 7. It was in 2 partitions, so i ran the windows 7 disc and it ran through the motions, i formatted the c to re-install windows and it wouldn't let me. I went into dos under diskpart to try and format it that way, still no luck. I connected it to my computer then under disk managment deleted the 2 partitions so there was only 1 now which had the size i.e, 600GB Unallocated. I connected it back into my dads computer and ran the set-up again. Now the computer wont even detect the drive. I need to re-format the drive to like factory default, is this possible, also do i have to do it in dos, I really hope you tech wizards ca help me.
Thanks for your time.
Kevin.

You could just plug it back into your machine and format it under disk management.

"Unallocated" means there is no partition, just blank disk space.
You need to create a partition, format it, make it active and then you can install Win 7.

Jim

Try a full clean & full format.
Disk - Clean and Clean All with Diskpart Command
Partition or Volume - Delete
Partition or Volume - Create New
1) Boot DVD.
2) Press Shift+F10 (for command prompt)

Type in command line
DISKPART
LIST DISK OR List Volume (If you have partitions)
SELECT DISK # (win HD)
CLEAN ALL
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
SELECT PARTITION 1
ACTIVE
FORMAT=NTFS
ASSIGN
EXIT
EXIT

I also wanted a way to format my hard drives back to factory specs. I had them loaded up with all kinds of info and they started making a vibration so I decided to RMA them. Just wanted to thank you for giving a complete and easy to understand way of doing this. It worked perfectly. One thing, you need to type "FORMAT FC=NTFS" Thank you again!

You are welcome.

PS.
FORMAT FS=NTFS