I'm sure you have heard people using the word Format when you talk about computers and drives, but what does it mean to actually format a drive. Formatting, blowing out, wiping clean, or emptying a hard disk simply means erasing all data from the disk and preparing it for fresh Operating System install. When you format a disk it removes everything that was stored on the disk, fixes any errors (unless you're doing a quick format) and re-writes the file tables, and mbr (Master Boot Record). Formatting is the ultimate cleaning process for any hard disk. It's actually a good idea to format you disk after a while and re-install your OS and programs (maybe once a year) just to give it cleaning. But always remember to back up anything on the computer you want to keep and put back into it after you re-install the operating system.
People usually format their disk when they are manipulating partitions, encounter viruses, or get a computer from someone else and just want to clean it out and start fresh. Before you go formatting your drives all willy nilly, please remember and take into consideration that formatting your disk will delete EVERYTHING on the disk, including the operating system (Windows, Linux, etc.). So if you are interested in doing a disk format for a fresh start then you need to make sure you are prepared to install an operating system.
There are different ways of formatting because there are so many different circumstances that people want to format. When you are setting up a dual boot, there are different ways you can go about formatting the partition you want the secondary OS to go on. If you just want to erase everything and start fresh then you will need either the OS Installation Disk(s), a boot disk, or the OEM OS disk(s) that may or may not have came with your computer.
The easiest way to start fresh is to just use the installation disk(s) of the OS you are installing (assuming you are using Windows and installing Windows). When you go to install Windows it will allow you to format the disk during the installation.
My name is Sergio Woods and I've been studying computers for over 7 years now. I have a great deal of knowledge in aspects ranging from Internet Administration to software programming to hardware and component installation. In my studies I have come to realize that there are very general things even the most casual computer user should know how to do in order to keep their computer running at its peak performance.
I feel the need to share my knowledge with any and everybody who has the desire I do to learn everything there is to know about the most revolutionary entity in our society. I try my best to explain everything in layman's terms without using a bunch of technical jargon. Also I've realized that there are a lot of people charging people an arm and a leg to give very common computer advise which is not worth that much at all. Sometimes people just need a little push in the right direction, and Computer Maintain.com is here to give you that push.
Sergio Woods
Computer Maintenance Expert
http://computermaintain.com
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