Reformating hard drive

[3dColor]

I have an older computer that has a bunch of viruses and spyware and i just want to start over with a clean install.

I want to reformat the whole hard drive and reinstall Windows 2000.

How do i reformat the hard drive?

 

[stduc]

It should be OK at that part of the install from CD that asks you to select the destination of the O/S to delete any existing partitions (all of them) and then create new partition(s) and re-format the drive. Then proceed to install the O/S.

However

If you want to err on the safe side, then download the drive manufacturers disk utility program and perform a 'zero fill'. That procedure will not only 'unformat' the drive so you have to reformat it, but also erase any nasties (and everything else) on the drive.

 

[3dColor]

On your first method, are you saying to insert my Windows 2000 CD then reboot and it should boot from the cd providing the question you have above?

 

[stduc]

Providing you set the CD ROM to be the first boot device in the BIOS, yes.

 

[3dColor]

Will a reformat fix bad sectors on the drive? Or should i repair those first with a scandsk?

 

[G0AOZ]

The Windows format will deal with those. It will check and probably lock 'em out of use. If they're bad, you'll not repair them...

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[3dColor]

I can't seem to reformat it, i have two partiton drives, how do i make it to one drive?

 

[3dColor]

I gave up on the primary drive, disconnected it and now i am trying to install 2000 on the secondary drive.

I change the hard drives around and but it can't boot from the Windows 2000 cd. How do i make a bootable cd?

 

[G0AOZ]

If it's a genuine Windows 2000 installation CD, it will be bootable. You will probably need to alter the drive boot sequence in the BIOS. Usual default boot sequence is floppy first, than first hard drive. Alter this so CD-ROM boots first. During the installation process it will ask you where you want to place the system files. It is at this point you can select deletion of partition(s), format type etc.

Hope that helps...

ROGER - G0AOZ.