Hi

I have a Vista Ultimate DVD, I want to do a full format of my hard drive,
the Vista DVD only does a quick format, or so it seems, it is over in less
than a minute.

How do I do a full format before I install?

thanks

Daniel

You should not have to worry about that.

A quick format generally wipes (recreating a fresh) Directory Entry Table
and does not over write any data. The effect of a quick format is similar to
ripping out the chapter (or index) pages from a book but the book itself is
fine. This makes the data remaining on the disk difficult (but not
impossible) to use. As soon as you start something new on the disk e.g.
install Vista or saving any new data, the action will over write whatever
was on the disk.

In the good old days of DOS there was a utility called UNFORMAT where the
DET and other FAT info was written on the other end of the disk but the real
data was not deleted. That meant that if you wanted to 'unformat' the disk
after an accidental format, you could and all data was back. BUT, that only
worked if you did not do anything else after the accidental format.

Hope it helps.
"Daniel" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:uGO$K0JZIHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

Quote:

Hi I have a Vista Ultimate DVD, I want to do a full format of my hard drive, the Vista DVD only does a quick format, or so it seems, it is over in less than a minute. How do I do a full format before I install? thanks Daniel

Thanks, but what I want to do is format, NOT UNFORMAT, before I install the
OS.

thanks

Daniel
"Danie Vink" <vinkad@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:e2h3tBKZIHA.4332@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

Quote:

You should not have to worry about that. A quick format generally wipes (recreating a fresh) Directory Entry Table and does not over write any data. The effect of a quick format is similar to ripping out the chapter (or index) pages from a book but the book itself is fine. This makes the data remaining on the disk difficult (but not impossible) to use. As soon as you start something new on the disk e.g. install Vista or saving any new data, the action will over write whatever was on the disk. In the good old days of DOS there was a utility called UNFORMAT where the DET and other FAT info was written on the other end of the disk but the real data was not deleted. That meant that if you wanted to 'unformat' the disk after an accidental format, you could and all data was back. BUT, that only worked if you did not do anything else after the accidental format. Hope it helps. "Daniel" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote in message news:uGO$K0JZIHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... Hi I have a Vista Ultimate DVD, I want to do a full format of my hard drive, the Vista DVD only does a quick format, or so it seems, it is over in less than a minute. How do I do a full format before I install? thanks Daniel

Granted. Your question was more about quick or not quick format. If you do a
new install it does not matter.

"Daniel" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:OUHYMgLZIHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

Quote:

Thanks, but what I want to do is format, NOT UNFORMAT, before I install the OS. thanks Daniel "Danie Vink" <vinkad@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:e2h3tBKZIHA.4332@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... You should not have to worry about that. A quick format generally wipes (recreating a fresh) Directory Entry Table and does not over write any data. The effect of a quick format is similar to ripping out the chapter (or index) pages from a book but the book itself is fine. This makes the data remaining on the disk difficult (but not impossible) to use. As soon as you start something new on the disk e.g. install Vista or saving any new data, the action will over write whatever was on the disk. In the good old days of DOS there was a utility called UNFORMAT where the DET and other FAT info was written on the other end of the disk but the real data was not deleted. That meant that if you wanted to 'unformat' the disk after an accidental format, you could and all data was back. BUT, that only worked if you did not do anything else after the accidental format. Hope it helps. "Daniel" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote in message news:uGO$K0JZIHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... Hi I have a Vista Ultimate DVD, I want to do a full format of my hard drive, the Vista DVD only does a quick format, or so it seems, it is over in less than a minute. How do I do a full format before I install? thanks Daniel

I guess an explanation would have helped,
I need to format the drive because I have a problem with HDD tests coming up
in error on some passes and I need to eliminate file format errors.

thanks

Daniel
"Danie Vink" <vinkad@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:%23AZOPkLZIHA.5900@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

Quote:

Granted. Your question was more about quick or not quick format. If you do a new install it does not matter. "Daniel" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote in message news:OUHYMgLZIHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... Thanks, but what I want to do is format, NOT UNFORMAT, before I install the OS. thanks Daniel "Danie Vink" <vinkad@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:e2h3tBKZIHA.4332@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... You should not have to worry about that. A quick format generally wipes (recreating a fresh) Directory Entry Table and does not over write any data. The effect of a quick format is similar to ripping out the chapter (or index) pages from a book but the book itself is fine. This makes the data remaining on the disk difficult (but not impossible) to use. As soon as you start something new on the disk e.g. install Vista or saving any new data, the action will over write whatever was on the disk. In the good old days of DOS there was a utility called UNFORMAT where the DET and other FAT info was written on the other end of the disk but the real data was not deleted. That meant that if you wanted to 'unformat' the disk after an accidental format, you could and all data was back. BUT, that only worked if you did not do anything else after the accidental format. Hope it helps. "Daniel" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote in message news:uGO$K0JZIHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... Hi I have a Vista Ultimate DVD, I want to do a full format of my hard drive, the Vista DVD only does a quick format, or so it seems, it is over in less than a minute. How do I do a full format before I install? thanks Daniel

Ah, that's slightly different. Is your disk still OK? Because if you get
errors it may mean the disk is busy packing up.

"Daniel" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:eGUEEqLZIHA.4828@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

Quote:

I guess an explanation would have helped, I need to format the drive because I have a problem with HDD tests coming up in error on some passes and I need to eliminate file format errors. thanks Daniel "Danie Vink" <vinkad@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:%23AZOPkLZIHA.5900@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... Granted. Your question was more about quick or not quick format. If you do a new install it does not matter. "Daniel" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote in message news:OUHYMgLZIHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... Thanks, but what I want to do is format, NOT UNFORMAT, before I install the OS. thanks Daniel "Danie Vink" <vinkad@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:e2h3tBKZIHA.4332@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... You should not have to worry about that. A quick format generally wipes (recreating a fresh) Directory Entry Table and does not over write any data. The effect of a quick format is similar to ripping out the chapter (or index) pages from a book but the book itself is fine. This makes the data remaining on the disk difficult (but not impossible) to use. As soon as you start something new on the disk e.g. install Vista or saving any new data, the action will over write whatever was on the disk. In the good old days of DOS there was a utility called UNFORMAT where the DET and other FAT info was written on the other end of the disk but the real data was not deleted. That meant that if you wanted to 'unformat' the disk after an accidental format, you could and all data was back. BUT, that only worked if you did not do anything else after the accidental format. Hope it helps. "Daniel" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote in message news:uGO$K0JZIHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... Hi I have a Vista Ultimate DVD, I want to do a full format of my hard drive, the Vista DVD only does a quick format, or so it seems, it is over in less than a minute. How do I do a full format before I install? thanks Daniel

You don't do it with any tool in Vista setup. Maybe a third-party boot CD
before the install.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Daniel" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:uGO$K0JZIHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

Quote:

Hi I have a Vista Ultimate DVD, I want to do a full format of my hard drive, the Vista DVD only does a quick format, or so it seems, it is over in less than a minute. How do I do a full format before I install? thanks Daniel

like what?

cheers

Daniel
"Richard G. Harper" <rgharper@email.com> wrote in message
news:2F38BC58-4873-4446-8096-97D01E496529@microsoft.com...

Quote:

You don't do it with any tool in Vista setup. Maybe a third-party boot CD before the install. -- Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com * NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/ * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups * The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/ * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm "Daniel" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote in message news:uGO$K0JZIHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... Hi I have a Vista Ultimate DVD, I want to do a full format of my hard drive, the Vista DVD only does a quick format, or so it seems, it is over in less than a minute. How do I do a full format before I install? thanks Daniel

Hi Daniel,

If a drive diagnostic is showing errors on the drive, then replace it. Doing
a full format isn't going to fix it.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

"Daniel" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:eGUEEqLZIHA.4828@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

Quote:

I guess an explanation would have helped, I need to format the drive because I have a problem with HDD tests coming up in error on some passes and I need to eliminate file format errors. thanks Daniel "Danie Vink" <vinkad@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:%23AZOPkLZIHA.5900@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... Granted. Your question was more about quick or not quick format. If you do a new install it does not matter. "Daniel" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote in message news:OUHYMgLZIHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... Thanks, but what I want to do is format, NOT UNFORMAT, before I install the OS. thanks Daniel "Danie Vink" <vinkad@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:e2h3tBKZIHA.4332@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... You should not have to worry about that. A quick format generally wipes (recreating a fresh) Directory Entry Table and does not over write any data. The effect of a quick format is similar to ripping out the chapter (or index) pages from a book but the book itself is fine. This makes the data remaining on the disk difficult (but not impossible) to use. As soon as you start something new on the disk e.g. install Vista or saving any new data, the action will over write whatever was on the disk. In the good old days of DOS there was a utility called UNFORMAT where the DET and other FAT info was written on the other end of the disk but the real data was not deleted. That meant that if you wanted to 'unformat' the disk after an accidental format, you could and all data was back. BUT, that only worked if you did not do anything else after the accidental format. Hope it helps. "Daniel" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote in message news:uGO$K0JZIHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... Hi I have a Vista Ultimate DVD, I want to do a full format of my hard drive, the Vista DVD only does a quick format, or so it seems, it is over in less than a minute. How do I do a full format before I install? thanks Daniel

"Rick Rogers" <rick@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:O53c2RMZIHA.5028@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

Quote:

Hi Daniel, If a drive diagnostic is showing errors on the drive, then replace it. Doing a full format isn't going to fix it.

That's 100% right. Go to the website of the HD's mfg and get their
diagnostic utility...then run the full test.
If there are any errors at all...the drive must be replaced!

Google for it!

"Daniel" wrote:

Quote:

like what? cheers Daniel "Richard G. Harper" <rgharper@email.com> wrote in message news:2F38BC58-4873-4446-8096-97D01E496529@microsoft.com... You don't do it with any tool in Vista setup. Maybe a third-party boot CD before the install. -- Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com * NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/ * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups * The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/ * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm "Daniel" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote in message news:uGO$K0JZIHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... Hi I have a Vista Ultimate DVD, I want to do a full format of my hard drive, the Vista DVD only does a quick format, or so it seems, it is over in less than a minute. How do I do a full format before I install? thanks Daniel

Will do, sorry, I thought you might recommend one.

regards

Daniel
"Mick Murphy" <MickMurphy@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:0A9BD644-2BF9-4696-AF6E-3C94818BA2D8@microsoft.com...

Quote:

Google for it! "Daniel" wrote: like what? cheers Daniel "Richard G. Harper" <rgharper@email.com> wrote in message news:2F38BC58-4873-4446-8096-97D01E496529@microsoft.com... You don't do it with any tool in Vista setup. Maybe a third-party boot CD before the install. -- Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com * NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/ * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups * The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/ * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm "Daniel" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote in message news:uGO$K0JZIHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... Hi I have a Vista Ultimate DVD, I want to do a full format of my hard drive, the Vista DVD only does a quick format, or so it seems, it is over in less than a minute. How do I do a full format before I install? thanks Daniel

Use the format command in the DiskPart command line tool:
<http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsVista/en/library/a6680b96-28df-4308-949d-bb3f91ca5d4b1033.mspx?mfr=true>

On Fri, 1 Feb 2008 17:38:17 +1100, "Daniel" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote:

Quote:

Hi I have a Vista Ultimate DVD, I want to do a full format of my hard drive, the Vista DVD only does a quick format, or so it seems, it is over in less than a minute. How do I do a full format before I install? thanks Daniel

Excellent

thanks for you help

regards

Daniel
"andy" <bogusaddress@bogusaddress.123> wrote in message
news:fv17q3pem7vqtus7dp32jn0p4o4d985l7a@4ax.com...

Quote:

Use the format command in the DiskPart command line tool: http://technet2.microsoft.com/WindowsVista/en/library/a6680b96-28df-4308-949d-bb3f91ca5d4b1033.mspx?mfr=true On Fri, 1 Feb 2008 17:38:17 +1100, "Daniel" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote: Hi I have a Vista Ultimate DVD, I want to do a full format of my hard drive, the Vista DVD only does a quick format, or so it seems, it is over in less than a minute. How do I do a full format before I install? thanks Daniel

Hi,

Well, armed with that knowledge it's logical to assume you've already
checked that? While that's a potential, it doesn't happen too often that a
cable unseats itself unless the system's been moved recently, or that work
was done inside the tower.

A drive that fails a diagnostic is generally a candidate for replacement,
and too often I've seen that advice ignored in favor of "fixes" that did
nothing more than temporarily hide the problem, eventually resulting in loss
of data.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

"Daniel" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:eEHI17OZIHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

Quote:

Rick I understand that but going through a process of elimination and trying different things I get a clearer picture of what the problem really is. Last time I replaced a hard drive on professional advice it turned out to be a cable defect, I now have a perfectly good backup drive after I was told I had to replace the drive. cheers Daniel "Rick Rogers" <rick@mvps.org> wrote in message news:O53c2RMZIHA.5028@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... Hi Daniel, If a drive diagnostic is showing errors on the drive, then replace it. Doing a full format isn't going to fix it. -- Best of Luck, Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/ Windows help - www.rickrogers.org My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com "Daniel" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote in message news:eGUEEqLZIHA.4828@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... I guess an explanation would have helped, I need to format the drive because I have a problem with HDD tests coming up in error on some passes and I need to eliminate file format errors. thanks Daniel "Danie Vink" <vinkad@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:%23AZOPkLZIHA.5900@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... Granted. Your question was more about quick or not quick format. If you do a new install it does not matter. "Daniel" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote in message news:OUHYMgLZIHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... Thanks, but what I want to do is format, NOT UNFORMAT, before I install the OS. thanks Daniel "Danie Vink" <vinkad@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:e2h3tBKZIHA.4332@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... You should not have to worry about that. A quick format generally wipes (recreating a fresh) Directory Entry Table and does not over write any data. The effect of a quick format is similar to ripping out the chapter (or index) pages from a book but the book itself is fine. This makes the data remaining on the disk difficult (but not impossible) to use. As soon as you start something new on the disk e.g. install Vista or saving any new data, the action will over write whatever was on the disk. In the good old days of DOS there was a utility called UNFORMAT where the DET and other FAT info was written on the other end of the disk but the real data was not deleted. That meant that if you wanted to 'unformat' the disk after an accidental format, you could and all data was back. BUT, that only worked if you did not do anything else after the accidental format. Hope it helps. "Daniel" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote in message news:uGO$K0JZIHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... Hi I have a Vista Ultimate DVD, I want to do a full format of my hard drive, the Vista DVD only does a quick format, or so it seems, it is over in less than a minute. How do I do a full format before I install? thanks Daniel

Daniel, usually you can find a full format routine in the same diagnostic
tool that I mentioned elsewhere in this thread. The best source is the drive
manufacturer.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/
Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com

"Daniel" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:%23XuOXNMZIHA.4808@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

Quote:

like what? cheers Daniel "Richard G. Harper" <rgharper@email.com> wrote in message news:2F38BC58-4873-4446-8096-97D01E496529@microsoft.com... You don't do it with any tool in Vista setup. Maybe a third-party boot CD before the install. -- Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com * NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/ * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups * The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/ * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm "Daniel" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote in message news:uGO$K0JZIHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... Hi I have a Vista Ultimate DVD, I want to do a full format of my hard drive, the Vista DVD only does a quick format, or so it seems, it is over in less than a minute. How do I do a full format before I install? thanks Daniel

Rick

I know what you are saying, last time I had the problem I used Event Viewer
to see what the problem really was but as I could not start Windows I could
not access EV.

But since the drive would not format I am now convinced and have returned
the drive for a replacement.

cheers

Daniel
"Rick Rogers" <rick@mvps.org> wrote in message
news:%23yYfPoSZIHA.4684@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

Quote:

Hi, Well, armed with that knowledge it's logical to assume you've already checked that? While that's a potential, it doesn't happen too often that a cable unseats itself unless the system's been moved recently, or that work was done inside the tower. A drive that fails a diagnostic is generally a candidate for replacement, and too often I've seen that advice ignored in favor of "fixes" that did nothing more than temporarily hide the problem, eventually resulting in loss of data. -- Best of Luck, Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/ Windows help - www.rickrogers.org My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com "Daniel" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote in message news:eEHI17OZIHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... Rick I understand that but going through a process of elimination and trying different things I get a clearer picture of what the problem really is. Last time I replaced a hard drive on professional advice it turned out to be a cable defect, I now have a perfectly good backup drive after I was told I had to replace the drive. cheers Daniel "Rick Rogers" <rick@mvps.org> wrote in message news:O53c2RMZIHA.5028@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... Hi Daniel, If a drive diagnostic is showing errors on the drive, then replace it. Doing a full format isn't going to fix it. -- Best of Luck, Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP http://mvp.support.microsoft.com/ Windows help - www.rickrogers.org My thoughts http://rick-mvp.blogspot.com "Daniel" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote in message news:eGUEEqLZIHA.4828@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... I guess an explanation would have helped, I need to format the drive because I have a problem with HDD tests coming up in error on some passes and I need to eliminate file format errors. thanks Daniel "Danie Vink" <vinkad@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:%23AZOPkLZIHA.5900@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl... Granted. Your question was more about quick or not quick format. If you do a new install it does not matter. "Daniel" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote in message news:OUHYMgLZIHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl... Thanks, but what I want to do is format, NOT UNFORMAT, before I install the OS. thanks Daniel "Danie Vink" <vinkad@yahoo.com> wrote in message news:e2h3tBKZIHA.4332@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl... You should not have to worry about that. A quick format generally wipes (recreating a fresh) Directory Entry Table and does not over write any data. The effect of a quick format is similar to ripping out the chapter (or index) pages from a book but the book itself is fine. This makes the data remaining on the disk difficult (but not impossible) to use. As soon as you start something new on the disk e.g. install Vista or saving any new data, the action will over write whatever was on the disk. In the good old days of DOS there was a utility called UNFORMAT where the DET and other FAT info was written on the other end of the disk but the real data was not deleted. That meant that if you wanted to 'unformat' the disk after an accidental format, you could and all data was back. BUT, that only worked if you did not do anything else after the accidental format. Hope it helps. "Daniel" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote in message news:uGO$K0JZIHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... Hi I have a Vista Ultimate DVD, I want to do a full format of my hard drive, the Vista DVD only does a quick format, or so it seems, it is over in less than a minute. How do I do a full format before I install? thanks Daniel

http://www.google.com/

Many utilities out there, too many to list here.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com
* NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Daniel" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:%23XuOXNMZIHA.4808@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...

Quote:

like what? cheers Daniel "Richard G. Harper" <rgharper@email.com> wrote in message news:2F38BC58-4873-4446-8096-97D01E496529@microsoft.com... You don't do it with any tool in Vista setup. Maybe a third-party boot CD before the install. -- Richard G. Harper [MVP Shell/User] rgharper@gmail.com * NEW! Catch my blog ... http://msmvps.com/blogs/rgharper/ * PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups * The Website - http://rgharper.mvps.org/ * HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm "Daniel" <noone@nowhere.com> wrote in message news:uGO$K0JZIHA.536@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl... Hi I have a Vista Ultimate DVD, I want to do a full format of my hard drive, the Vista DVD only does a quick format, or so it seems, it is over in less than a minute. How do I do a full format before I install? thanks Daniel