Reformatting HDD?

[BringMeASunkist]

I have a lot of junk of my HDD from testing out free spywares, firewalls, converters, games, upgrading adobe products, upgrading other products, etc. Uninstalling them helps, but it almost always leaves behind a bit of data and I would like to just start my HDD over.

I have the Windows 7 install disk, what is the best way to do this?

 

[theog]

Try a full clean & full format in command prompt.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/52129-disk-clean-clean-all-diskpart-command.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2668-partition-volume-delete.html?ltr=P
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2674-partition-volume-create-new.html?ltr=P
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/71432-partition-mark-active.html?ltr=P
1) Boot DVD, & Press Shift+F10 (for command prompt)
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/119713-diskpart-pc-startup.html
2) Boot DVD, & http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/682-command-prompt-startup.html
(for command prompt)

Type in command line
If you have no partitions on your HD.
DISKPART
LIST DISK
SELECT DISK # (HD to cleaned)
CLEAN ALL
CREATE PARTITION PRIMARY
SELECT PARTITION 1
ACTIVE
FORMAT fs=NTFS
ASSIGN
EXIT
EXIT





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

 

[biggles1000]

if you go for 'Custom' rather than 'Upgrade' when booting from the disc, it will ask you where to installit (it alsol does this for upgrade option, but nevertheless). When on the select destination page, click on the HDD you want to wipe. At the bottom of the windows, you should see an 'advanced options' sort of thing. one of thee options will be format, another will be erase. erase deletes the partition (good if you have multiple partitions) and format just 'empties' the partitions.

 

[gregrocker]

Use the tips which apply here to get a perfect install: http://www.sevenforums.com/installation-setup/151566-reinstalling-windows-7-a.html#post1300819

 

[mjf]

I would recommend the "Clean All" approach followed by the clean install with your installation disks.
It is important to clean the first sector (MBR) and clean all does this.
It just takes some hours to do.