How to COMPLETELY reformat Vista(32) boot hard drive

[PianoMan]

Okay, I know I'm missing something here, but it's been kicking my arse these past few days and I'm hoping someone can show be the easy way out (to save me some time and anguish).

I just reinstalled Vista on a new hard drive (1TB WD EADS) and transferred my data from the old one (1TB EACS). I'm going to use the old drive for data backup (Acronis) and non-essential data storage.

Problem is, after performing the following on the old drive:

1) Reformat
2) Deletion and recreation of partition via XP2/SP2 set-up disk

I still get Vista's Boot Manager detecting a "recovered" Vista install along with my new install on the new drive. I've set Vista so that the Boot Manager just bypasses the prompt screen, but it still flashes momentarily during start-up. Not to mention I'd like a purely clean drive to start putting all the data backups on.

Is there something I need to do with the Vista installation disk? I've read around online about fixboot, etc. - but I think these have to do with many people moving back to XP over Vista and wanting their XP to boot without problem.

I just want a clean slate on the old drive. Any suggestions?

PM

 

[hennessy1]

Download WD's diagnostic program and you can either make a boot cd or install the windows program and it will wipe the drive for you.

 

[techmanc]

Not sure how you did the Vista move to the new system.

 

[Modelworks]

The problem is the microsoft way of implementing format.
Format does not erase data from the drive. It erases the file table but leaves the other stuff intact.
You need to wipe clean the first 1000 sectors or so.
grab killdisk for free
http://www.killdisk.com/
Then just wipe the first 1000 sectors, no need to erase the whole drive.

 

[thegpfury]

Can't you just remove the entry using msconfig?

 

[taltamir]

you can't format a DRIVE (unless its a low level format but lets not get into that), you can format a partition... why not just delete all partitions then create a new partition and quick format it?

 

[techmanc]

You can go to WD Support site and download your choice of Data Lifeguard Diagnostic software and use the WRITE ZEROS TO DRIVE option. It will get the drive prepped by removing the boot block and partition info on the drive so you can then use install DVD to reinstall and partition Vista. Heres a link to the software..................


http://support.wdc.com/product...sp?groupid=608&lang=en

 

[Gooberlx2]

Originally posted by: thegpfury
Can't you just remove the entry using msconfig?

Easiest solution IMO.