Full Format Hard Drive with Windows 7 Boot Disc

[AngryJedi]

Hi guys,
Is there a way I can remove all the partitions from my Hard drive and do a full format (not quick)? The windows 7 install disc does a quick format but I would like to clean it thoroughly. Is there a utility I can use at boot time to do this?

Thanks!

 

[logicearth]

Why do you want to do a full format? What is wrong with quick? Anyways this question was answered before...

 

[Teerex]

You can do all that right from the Windows 7 install disc, when you boot from it. A full format is not necessary - you can delete all partitions on a disc and it is a clean disc (although it still has stuff written on it - but it is not readable any more by anything except special data recovery software).

Again, there is no need to do a full format - it is wiser to use the time to check the disk for errors and bad blocks - nobody would like to install a new OS to a disk that has reached the beginning of its end.

 

[AngryJedi]

I want to do a full format because I am troubleshooting my computer for another issue....there's a thread a bit below this called "Windows 7 Hang" and I'm having some freezing issues. I've already installed Windows 7 three times using the quick format on my C partition, but now I want to completely wipe every partition and thoroughly do a format to troubleshoot further.

 

[Teerex]

I've seen that topic, and I really think you don't need a full format at all. Run a checkdisk, make it look for a bad sector(s). But from the looks of it, it has nothing to do with what is (or isn't) on the disk - if it is not a controller failure, the only thing you can and should look into is the BIOS. Try first - resetting it to a default state, and if that doesn't help, finding a newer version if it exists and flashing it (be careful, use only the tool the producer provides).

there could also be a tool in BIOS that allows you to check the health of your disk.

 

[VegasUSMC]

Quick Format is NOT the same (doesn't actually work)

First, let me say that I'm disappointed at the arrogance of some of the posts regarding Full Formats and how NO ONE should ever have to do one. The point of the forum is to discuss ways of doing things, not criticize one for trying to figure out how.

In any event, I inadvertently installed Windows 7 Professional N (64-bit) on a clean hard drive. Later I determined that I actually wanted the "non-N" Version. However, no matter what I try (which I will outline below), when I get to the part where it tries to load up the first time, it is still Pro-N and my Pro Product key isn't valid. So, Quick Format DOES NOT do the same thing.

I have tried Format (which is a quick) and no joy.
I have removed all partitions, repartitioned and no joy.

One thing I did notice is that when I get to the screen that starts copying files after I have done disk selection, it IMMEDIATELY goes to unpacking files... wastes no time in loading the files from the CD. This tells me quite clearly that it is somehow still able to read the data that was previously written to a "Quick Format"ed hard drive and a "Delete Partition" hard drive.

Sorry if I came off strong at the beginning, but you act like this is bug free software and that there is no room for the possibility that something isn't working right. I agree, a Quick Format should work... sadly, it doesn't.

My solution is to pull the hard drive from Computer A, place it in Computer B, and wipe the hard drive with a true Format... not some FAKE QUICK Format that clearly doesn't work..

If you have any better ideas that don't involve flaming me, I would love to hear your perspective.

 

[logicearth]

So, Quick Format DOES NOT do the same thing.

No, Quick Format does not do the same thing as a full format. It just does the task faster. Removing the Master File Table and marking every bit and sector as free is more then enough to clear a HDD. The Windows Installer is not pulling any files from the HDD that you formatted, the file list is gone. Your problem has nothing to do with formatting the HDD.

The problem is you have the N version Windows 7 DVD. You need to either remaster the DVD by removing a single file...currently I don't remember which... As long as you use this DVD you are going to install the N version.

 

[CommonTater]

Hi guys,
Is there a way I can remove all the partitions from my Hard drive and do a full format (not quick)? The windows 7 install disc does a quick format but I would like to clean it thoroughly. Is there a utility I can use at boot time to do this?

Thanks!

Full format doesn't do what most people seem to think it does... It does not wipe the hard disk. Basically a full format is a quick format --write partition, MBR and MFT-- followed by a surface scan of the disk. It is verifying sector integrity, not formatting the hard disk.

If you want a clean wipe of the disk you will need the factory's "low level format" utility or, perhaps, one of the "zero fill" utilities.

If your computer is freezing up it's far more likely to be bad memory or a weak power supply than any problem with your hard disk.

 

[MadMaxData]

Hi guys,
Is there a way I can remove all the partitions from my Hard drive and do a full format (not quick)? The windows 7 install disc does a quick format but I would like to clean it thoroughly. Is there a utility I can use at boot time to do this?

Thanks!

There sure is. I always use SeaGate's "Disc Wizard Starter Edition." It will write zero's to the entire drive, permanately deleting any previous data. You can download it here: CLICK ME

Also, if you need to check the disc for bad sectors, you can also download SeaTools at the same website.

I've used it literally hundreds of times, and it always works perfect. Hope that helps.

*EDIT*
Additionally, if you want a boot disc that has every DOS tool under the sun on it, I would recommend the Ultimate Boot CD. You can download it here: CLICK ME

It also has Disk Wizard on it as well.

 

[MadMaxData]

Hey CommonTater, we meet back up on "formatting" thread. Imagine that...LOL

 

[VegasUSMC]

As an MSDN subscriber, I have multiple DVD's of Windows 7, multiple formats, including N and non-N versions. I am definitely installing the non-N version, but it still "finds" the prior installation of the "N" version.

My solution, which worked just fine, and underscores my previous assessment, was to install Windows XP, doing a complete Format and install, the immediately installing Windows 7 Pro... this time, it worked fine, no "N" reference.

So, once again, it would have been nice if Microsoft had provided a true "Complete" format to avoid this issue. Granted, the average user wouldn't have access to multiple DVD's of Windows 7, of varying flavors and types, but some of us do.

 

[CommonTater]

As an MSDN subscriber, I have multiple DVD's of Windows 7, multiple formats, including N and non-N versions. I am definitely installing the non-N version, but it still "finds" the prior installation of the "N" version.

My solution, which worked just fine, and underscores my previous assessment, was to install Windows XP, doing a complete Format and install, the immediately installing Windows 7 Pro... this time, it worked fine, no "N" reference.

So, once again, it would have been nice if Microsoft had provided a true "Complete" format to avoid this issue. Granted, the average user wouldn't have access to multiple DVD's of Windows 7, of varying flavors and types, but some of us do.

If this is correct, Microsoft is up to some schenanegans.... The only thing I can figure is they must be picking certain things up during the boot process, prior to formatting...

Glad you got it sorted though...

 

[chuck07]

There is a way to do a full format on an install. Boot to the install DVD. after the setup loads go to System Recovery Options.

From there open a command line.
Type:
format C: /fs:NTFS
Restart and install.

Not as straightforward as the quick format but it does work.

 

[Elwoodch]

coming back on your issue, I had the same, and after a memtest, I noted my second memory stick was defect. Replaced and everything went fine afterward.

Be careful formatting some last generation HDD with third party softwares (I did it!). Drives like WD EARS series will require to be re-aligned after this kind of formatting (see WD Website). If you can avoid it, avoid it!

 

[Tenthunter]

THANK YOU ComonTater! Finally someone else who understands that there IS indeed a difference between a full and quick format!

If you suspect that your Hard Drive has developed some bad sectors (example: from improper shutdowns, etc.) then a FULL long format is the way to go.

Its for that very reason that any computer that comes into our shop for a reload thats more than a year or two old ALWAYS gets a full format and NOT a quick one!


Now, having said that...

at the time of me writing this, when necessary, we are current using a Windows XP cd to do a full format until we can figure out how to trigger a full format with the Windows 7 DVD.

 

[gregrocker]

I also thought the same thing until I learned that Full Format simply adds chkdsk /r to the process.

If you want it cleanest, use DISKPART to Clean All, followed by chkdsk, then format using installer.

 

[OldMX]

Load diskpart (shift+F10 on windows setup) and do a "clean all" for the selected disk, the "clean all" command performs a zero fill if i remember correctly.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

 

[gregrocker]

Yes, Clean All applies one set of zeros to overwrite code - DOD standard is 3 sets of zeroes: Clean and Clean All with Diskpart Command

However this does not chkdsk the drive which is what was included in the old XP long format. It is good to be reminded that reinstalls are the time to chkdsk /r your HD: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html

Then to catch any problems with the surface of your HD to repair and extend it's life, run the maker's full diag/repair CD scan:
Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp.URL

Now when you apply formatting from the installer, the quick format has been supplemented to include what XP full format included, plus more.

 

[fedde]

format disk for windows 7

if you have a XP version then you can using first for partion and format, when ready then stop the pc and use windows 7.

 

[sharo]

Another way to full format from Windows 7 install DVD

1. Boot the DVD.
2. Go to the steps until you get to the "Where do you want to install Windows" screen.
3. Erase all existing partitions and create a new one.
4. Click format - this will perform quick format
5. Press Shift + F10 (this will open a console)
6. From the console you can use "format c:" command

Some usefulul tips: "format /P:xxx" (xxx is number) will zero the sectors on the hard disk overwriting the information there

Have fun!
-sharo