How To Completely Format A Hard Drive

[TheSchoolofrock23]

My comp is not booting knoppix...help please?

[NvrMessWitMe]

FU!! :D\

[scottomgxD]

im currently a freshman at ohio university majoring in I.T i already have my A+ and net+ certifications :)

[brds]

Okay....

[HelmetVanga]

what would be the advantage of knoppix and using it when you have OEM XP or Vista or Win7??? I have always used Microsoft to partition and format. I recently used Partition Wizard, I have this cable and its power cord and I connect the hard disk which is outside the PC but connected to a working PC, This way I partition or remove partition and format without having to go to BIOS or even burning ISO.

[HelmetVanga]

You do not really have to format. If you have an OEM builder XP or Vista , I like ultimate DVD discs, during the installation the software partitions and formats for you while installing windows..withought have to type linux or unix commands. I thought Unix was very old.. Guess what, Dennis Ritchie the guy who invented Unix and C language just die.

[TheAnimate2]

lol

[chrisig0]

hey i have 2 Hard Drives that i am trying to sell (doesn't have an Operation System on it)

i just used for for like movies and stuff

i wanna format them.

Will this work? or will it format "C:" ?

[gertjanvermeire]

I can not open knoppix because it gives me an error that they don't find an USB fire..... I don't know any more but something like that how come's that?

[owentait15]

if u have a cable that can connect your hard drive to your xbox360 this can do if for you. BUT you must format this on your pc or laptop manually

[UnitedCommunists]

If the website doesn't work then go to: bit .ly/ 14Zykm

I'm guessing the page you want has moved here.

[TheMRJGREATJ]

format a hard drive on my channel

[billys48]

hello! I go to the agreement, i click the accept,and shows me page load error.I want help.

[philkeith863]

The download site does not exist anymore. how can I get the file you used on the video, sir?

[Rossclairborne]

Hi, my window vista C: drive is showing full. How do I erase/empty it? I have transferred files to the E Drive.

[dangerously2010]

How you doing Alex! Seems like you can answer my question. How do you apply this if I'm trying to reformat another hardrive through my working laptop. I pulled out the hard drive from the other and hook it up to my working laptop. Please help, thank you.

[bigboom273]

could i burn the iso to a flash drive and select "removable devices" as what is boots from?

[EMoGuYxSnipesx]

hey bro can you help me?

okie i wana reformat my laptop completely but i dont have the instaltion disk, and i want to reformat my windows vista back to factory how i bought it, what do i do and how do i do it HELP MEE! D:

[Reedy297]

Thanks for the video, no need for the personal background info.

[Invites4Lockerz2010]

dees tis work for windows to??

[GrimTheToad]

is this a resume or a tutorial lol

[Absolex2000x]

i have a problem can u help me it says that my local disk c is full nd i can open files or cd's

so then i try top format local disk c but it wont let me wat do i do?

[paulmfinn]

this all worked fine, just like the video, it accepted the commands and said the device was now empty but it wasnt! everything is still there including windows! are there different commands to access the partitions that contain windows?

[pixelperu]

This linki ios working fime, now Im downloading thre ISO:

ftp://ftp.klid.dk/knoppix/

BUT, the commands are just for Linux users, but what for Window users? same commands? We are not professional in systems or with a medium background in Systems but we can format a hard disk as well.

What should we do with such Linux Commands? any topic for windows users? (again)

Thank you

[Daniel1996Gonzalez]

omg i cant enter the download page

[hoahungsaigon]

i had and ibm thinkpad, recover buid in the hdd itself, i g to F11 recover the whole computer to the original when ibm ship out to consumer, at this point will i be able to use any software on the market to retreat my data such as file, pictures,,,or no chance..thx

[xxboerdxx]

f i u!

[TheUsernameMissing]

I run the BIOS but I only have a Main menu

what can I do?

thanks!

[joudizz]

does this work if i want to completely format my harddrive on vista? i mean not short-format, the complete formatting which takes hours..? you are using the software in your video while some operating system is running.. i want to format the harddrive on which i have installed vista on.. thx for ur answer

[cursivedragon]

How do I get my Dell XPS 400 to factory settings?

[ankurchauhan85]

IS that only for linux.? nothing for Windows Vista.?

[brds]

@ankurchauhan85 - Okay, i'll say this again...

THIS METHOD WILL WORK DESPITE WHAT OPERATING SYSTEM YOU HAVE!

Vista, XP, windows 7, MAC, UBUNTU, anything.

Your operating system has nothing to do with the process.

[pixelperu]

@brds BUT should we use same Linux commands? That is the big question.

What is the alternative commands for windows XP users?

Thank you

[brds]

@ankurchauhan85 - Okay, i'll say this again...

THIS METHOD WILL WORK DESPITE WHAT OPERATING SYSTEM YOU HAVE!

Vista, XP, windows 7, MAC, UBUNTU, anything.

Your operating system has nothing to do with the process.

[TheAmazingpwner95]

it will work if im using windows vista?

[brds]

@TheAmazingpwner95

Yes, it will work for anything

[bxlhustla]

i have two operating systems and i would like to delete the older one. One was screwing with my network drivers so i re-installed vista into a new disk, which got me two operating systems. But i can't seem to be able to delete the old one. Can you help me? I'll send you an email to your FSU inbox.

[brds]

It doesn't matter that there's an operating system on the drive. If it's on there as your secondary, use hdb instead of hda in the linux command. Also, if your hard drives are sata, use sda or sdb.

Hope that helps.

[bxlhustla]

@brds...I am thinking about deleting my old disc (with old vista), make space on it and keep my newly vista-operating hard disc. Is there any other way to do that unlike in your video. An easier way plz...btw my PC came with two recovery CDs.

[brds]

again, the fact that your disc has vista on it means nothing.  The method shown in the video simply resets each bit on the hard drive to zero. You can format the disc (using the method shown in the video) and then use it as a slave drive.

[pixelperu]

@brds then it means I should use same commands in DOS, same as shown in the video tutorial, despite Im using WIndows XP.

Thank you

[Danyelparaschivxxl]

nop. i even try to change my Winows,but nothin'.I don't know what to do.Please help me.

[Danyelparaschivxxl]

i have a problem with my computer:it apears this message when it starts ''disc boot failure insert system disc and pess enter''.what is the problem?please help me!!

[1916ad]

i had the same problem its an easy fix just make sure all the screws are tight in ur laptop or pc its not booting because its not able to read the hard drive due to a loose connection i hope this sloves ur problem

[concun90000]

@Danyelparaschivxxl Means u don't have any oprating system in your computer.

All you have to do just re-install a new operating system. Good luck.

[Danyelparaschivxxl]

I have a new operating sistem.

[brds]

ok...?

[ZackP9]

you know it would help if you put the link in the vid yah no

[brds]

If you can't google knoppix and find it, you probably shouldn't be formatting your own hard drive.

[cjmitz]

by the way

/ forwardslash

\ backslash

7 years and you get that wrong!! :O

[MeltedoreoRS]

I knew that and i have never took a class for computers lol

[cjmitz]

haha :) i havnt either! anyone who speaks english should know that no matter if they do computing or not

[MeltedoreoRS]

Lol, and this guy says 7 years of computing

[w0wpickle]

anyone know why my computer keeps restarting then booting back up again then restarts again? it dont even get to the loading sign then it restarts. its on my other computer not the one im on now

[Goku1337]

hey man get off his back he is trying to get a job an do something with his life unlike yo dum ass who cant reformat his hard drive without a video bitch

[waccracker]

Not to be mean but that guy is right we don't care about your 'talents' or that it was for a school project, how about taking that out, stop trying to sell yourself an interview or some other kinda crap.

Now onto my point you have made this so complicated and time consuming that I'd rather right a comment than watch any more of the video, next time for the guys that don't know anything post a link in the info field instead of making them have to type half of the dictionary.

[brds]

As i've already explain several times, this project was for a mock interview for one of my classes. So if it seems like i'm trying to "sell myself an interview or some other kinda crap" it's because that's what the assignment was. Nobody held a gun to your head and made you watch the video.

[waccracker]

It felt like they did, anyways that was just a side point, you didn't even make it to the main point of the comment, that wouldn't really be helpful for the new guy.

[omgnette]

i did :D

thnx 5/5 :D

[adammarre]

farts

[jollypop2008]

its poppin like a BITCH

[NikuR32]

tung a je Shqiptar?

te fala

[NeoTifasRevenge]

I like Boot and Nuke personally :)

[Pioneer78]

Mr Alex Appolloni, maybe you should major in sound recording techniques, cause your mic is popping like a bastard! Here's a tip, WIND SHIELD, make one better than the originals: get a wire coat hanger, and a pair of tight's, click a hyperlink saying tight and coat hangers...but be careful of what's in there, and fairplay, i have majored in fuck all mate!! Thanks again though.

[Bucksamus]

dude no one cares about you,just get on with it!

[brds]

chill out. I had to do this as a school project and giving a brief description about my self was part of the requirements.

[kebruya]

Hey Bro ! wat's wrong with u? if u don't care y u post a comment?

[Odie147]

Your are a selfish cunt

[EpicGecko611]

ok well i have a emachine windows vista AMD athalon i wanna get all my memoery completely back like new so i can start like i just got it will this video tell me how to do that but without deleting the internet and stuff

[Apeman1991]

dude post a link on the discription

[brds]

The links are posted on the video. just pause it and write it down.

[brds]

I'm not australian, but the web is the internet.

[DaReal2k7]

"i dont speak australian"? australians speak english moron

[HelmetVanga]

@DaReal2k7 Dan Quayle Vice President during George Herber Bush said that Latin american speak Latin.

[gfyhdhbyhgj]

Zerobit is much more safe...

[jcsf2]

u should put the web site on the description

[goodoldtimes19]

why the title says "Linux"? Is this for Linux only?

[brds]

Knoppix is a live boot CD of linux.

[KetiNgSaaG]

bla bla blaaaa!

[mesalboy]

Thank you very much for your time and instructions to Fromat a Hard Drive. You explained it in very simple language and easy to understand and follow thd simple instructions. Again, Thank you....

[kagaw101]

my frend..nice vid..help me ive got problem..i cant burn the cd as a BOOT CD..im using nero V8.plz sir response...plz

[gmwg2000]

Great video, i followed all the steps of your video untill i got to the command window, i put in the first command and then enter follow with the second command to get a read only file massage. the formating did not start. please help.

thanks.

[brds]

Do you have a sata drive?

[gmwg2000]

is that the hard drive.

[brds]

it's a type of hard drive, yes.

[gmwg2000]

how will i know the type of hard drive i have.

[chriszsofrezh]

dude can u send me the website plz cause u go to fast

[chillypunk13]

your so an idiot just type it on google knopix just lyk that your lyk a kid..!!

[InkInc93]

Its much easier to go:

Right Click My Computer>Manage>Storage>Disk Management>Right Click drive>Format

[brds]

You can't use that to format the drive that the operating system is on though... that same comment has been made and explained already.

[draffa885]

this is the shit!!worked for me when all else failed thanx alot dude.

[ghepoy17]

This video is great!

[DionLaurent1]

this sounds like a fuckin job application

[brds]

Sorta was... had to do it for my last class in college.

[PaintBallStore]

hey why is it when i download the iso file i opens in winrar

and do i copy the iso file or the files in the iso

[KingBob751]

Don't Download, only save to a destination

[brds]

which is the same thing as downloading

[brds]

Dont open it... just burn it

[Bonsai006]

nvm fixed it :D

[Bonsai006]

My computer crashed the other day, I don't have the disk.. there any way to fix the computer without being able to log on to it?

[2pac057]

hmm i cant burn the cd coz now i know my dvd station is raped thx for warning :)

[Skyboiyaj]

Wait, u have to have a Windows Xp CD to start everything over? And if u do, wich should i buy, Professional, or Home? P.S. If u put in a slave drive, will the slave drive be formatted as well? I have 3 Questions, please answer.

[brds]

Yes, you have to have a XP (or other OS cd) in order to 'start everything over.'

I personally use professional.

If you have a slave drive, you will have to run the 'dd' command twice, once using hda, and again using hdb. (for hard drive a, and hard drive b)

[SilentPhish]

which should you buy? neither. who buys their windows XP discs? BT my friend...

[darkmage809]

u need to have ur window vista or xp to complete all this work or the cd that u born will do it all ?

[brds]

you have to have your windows cd to reinstall the os onto the drive once it's been cleaned.

[LatinLion79]

i dint even see your video and i alredy know is very LAME IM Out Of Here...

[brds]

Cool story hansel.

[CaptainHollyShort]

I appreciate the effort you put into this video, but wouldn't using fdisk, the recovery console, the rd command, or a million other methods be much easier? The only time I use a Linux LiveCD is for recovering data from busted hard drives. I've never used one to erase one when I can just do it inside windows.

[brds]

There are several ways to wipe a drive... this is just how I like to do it.

[2bad2fast]

work for eney pc and xp?

[brds]

yep.

[grea77sy]

craphead here just wrote zeroes.......why write zeroes when your os works just fine....id advice everyone to avoid formatting addiction....surf safely and avoid delays!!!!!!

[edgargangsta47]

you man this is the best video i have ever seen thanks you'r the best thank you

[dragonflare921]

dude thanks so much my computer is suckish right now and i want to format it and this help i just need to buy a disc for vista thanks so much dude

[magic8master]

linux couldnt load up completley in my computer at the end it said it could not find my card or sumthin like that

[brds]

"sumthin like that" doesn't really help. If you could say what the exact error is, I might be able to guide you.

[grumgrum1]

dam, its very very easy i don't know why people act like if it should be in Guinness record book xD

[brds]

Some things that are easy for some are very difficult for others...

[Pqrweesrstey]

What do you mean with I tell me "BIOS" to boot from the pc?

[brds]

When the computer starts up, it should say something along the lines of F10 = boot. Press f10 (or whatever your specific computer requires to enter bios) when prompted.

[jgrave10]

Alex, Thank You... You provided me with the tools for success... it worked... The hardrive is reformatting now... Windows had me in there little skinner box... You got me out of a big jam... Thank You... Scott

[xrayxv2]

is this only for linux????

[brds]

It's not 'for' any specific operating system. The method shown in the video is used to format a hard drive.

[PetjeOp96]

You like to format?

Go to my computer

Click right button wich drive you like to boot

En click format

[brds]

Can't do that on your main drive

[mndzw25]

i got a virus and i want to reformat. can i format my whole computer at the same time is that possible?

[brds]

Not sure what you mean by "whole computer at the same time" but i'm assuming you have multiple hard drives. If this is what you meant, you can open multiple windows in Knoppix... use the dd command with hda for your primary drive, then hdb for your second drive, etc.

[parkey08]

Thanks,

A simple fix for hours of googling!

[brds]

:D glad i could help

[maxval54]

a power point presentation??

you're not convincing anybody man...

[brds]

Convincing anybody of what? Plus, i did this for a school project and had to put it on youtube in order for my T.A. could view it so I could get a grade.

[maxval54]

get a mac

[brds]

yeah, because macs NEVER have to be formatted.... o wait, they do

[pldx93]

tnx

[pldx93]

what is the seconde comande? i didint understand.

[brds]

The second command was:

dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/hda

if you have a sata drive, it'll be:

dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/sda

The command reads like this:

disk dump in file is equal to zero and out is equal to your hard drive... meaning it turns your hard drive into nothing but zeros and thus completely cleans it

[shadowdawn25]

Hey i have a question IF i go to C drive and then click format it says Cannot do this try quitting all quitlities then try aging i Control endasked everything and i treid it and it still wont work i need a solution

[brds]

Follow the steps in the video. You can not format from my computer because you can't format your C drive from there... you'd be asking the computer to delete itself, which it can't do.

[eighteenfive]

THANKS ALEX for sharing. Hope you share more of your expertise in the future.

[khm3rgtr]

i try to download the knoppix but i couldn't i think something wrong with the link can you help please?

[Fiin3sse]

if you cant figure out how to get the link working you'll never figure out linux....srry.

[deadmon104]

ty lol

[TheMediaMobster]

hmm sinceknoppix is free are u sure there are no spyware or anything?

[aznlilhero]

i can't get knoppix to load after i restart the computer. and my bios is different from your any ideal which i should put first? i put the CD/DVD rom drive first but that didn't =[ any other ideals?

[brds]

did u burn the knoppix cd as a bootable disc, or did you simply burn the iso file?

[aznlilhero]

oh nah. lol i didn't know this was LINUX. lol im stupid.

[justXpand20]

hi,, can you help me how to connect my net, i just reformat my computer and i just dont know hot to connect it again to net, i have a lan connection but i dont have any idea how to do it,, thank a lot guys

[brds]

You most likely are missing the driver to your lan card. Try downloading it, installing it, and then seeing if you can get a connection.

[justXpand20]

thank a lot but i lost the software, are the software can be download? im using a dlink and i have no idea how to connect it again, and there's no icon for the network, how can i put the icon back just like before?

thanks a lot

[justXpand20]

where can i download? im using a dlink and im using  a local area network b4 i reformat my comp.....

thanks a lot

[lindapittsburgh]

I can't do that....

[brds]

do what?

[atxjohnnyboi]

Couldn't you just have used DBAN, Wipe Drive or Killdisk.Then reinstall Windows or Linux.

[brds]

There are several ways to do this. This is just the one that i find most secure and easy.

[unreal900]

hey ummm i have ubuntu and i would realy like to delete it an install xp can you pm on here plz?

[brds]

This method will work. Just put in your knoppix cd, wipe the drive, and boot from you xp cd.

[wrathof]

do you need to have vista?

and do you have to have the os cd afterwards?

[brds]

You dont need vista... i didn't use it in the video.

After you install the OS, you will no longer need the CD (unless you plan on re-formatting in the future).

[HorrorAddict23]

Thanks man!! You helped me alot!! Bless you!! ^_^

[cabdjm]

Brilliant mate im currently doing a BETEC level 3 IT practitioners diploma at my college i really need to reboot my computer but dont know how this has helped alot thanks again