how do i reformat a hard drive in windows 7?

[boing]

i've had some problems whilst building a rig and have decided to start again from scratch but i can't find a way to reformat the drive and reinstall windows.

I've tried right clicking on my computer and using format, tried going into disk management and doing the same, tried entering the 'format c:' command in the 'run' window, looked through the bios options, tried booting from cd to see if there's an option there but nothing.

surely there's an easy way to just wipe the disk and start again?

 

[In2Photos]

Use the install disc.

When you use the install disc you will come to a prompt where you decide to either "Upgrade" or "Custom Install". Choose "Custom Install". It will then ask you where you want to install Windows 7. Here you can choose the disc or any partition on the disc. Clicking "advanced options" at the bottom of the window will allow you to delete or create partitions as well as Format them.

 

[corkyg]

You can also download the Ultimate Boot CD (UBCD) which has all of the basic DOS utilitiesl, FDISK, Format, etc. But, your Win 7 DVD can do the trick if you boot to it and select clean install as opposed to upgrade.

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/download.html

This is a tool that belongs in everyone's kit.

 

[boing]

thanks guys, i'll give it a go.

 

[BW86]

yep, as stated above, just insert the cd, reboot the computer and do a fresh install, make sure you boot from the cd.

 

[Paperdoc]

What you ask about is actually two steps, Partitioning and Formatting, often combined in one easy Wizard and usually available within Windows in its Disk Management tool. However, in your case the clue is that you want to start over completely and not preserve anything. So for you, the right way is what In2Photos said - use the Win 7 Install Disk to do a brand new Install, and use its tools first to Delete the old Partition(s).

 

[boing]

ok, so i've booted from the CD and gone for a custom install, and advanced options, there are two partitions, one tiny (100Mb) the other the remainder of the disk. when i highlight the second partition and hit format the blue activity circle comes up for a couple of seconds then nothing, i've left it for a while but surely a drive should show a progress bar during format?

should i delete the second partition? delete them both? just plough on with the install?

 

[In2Photos]

IIRC even if you delete the 100MB partition it will just be created again so don't worry about it. Install it on the remainder of the disk (or partition that to a smaller size if you desire).

On the last install I did for Win 7 the format was very quick also. It seemed to do the trick though.

 

[boing]

ok, many thanks.