How to Format a Hard Disk ??

Note: Do  you have a Startup disk? Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, and Windows Me prompt you to create a Startup disk during Setup. If you do not have a Startup disk:
  1. Insert a blank floppy disk in the floppy disk drive (drive A).
  2. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click Add/Remove Programs.
  3. Click Create Disk on the Startup Disk tab.
  4. After you create the Startup disk, you should test it. To test the Startup disk, insert it in the floppy disk drive, and then restart your computer. If you are using a Windows 98-based computer, the Startup menu is displayed. If you are using a Windows 95-based computer, a command prompt is displayed.
  1. Restart your computer with the Startup disk in the floppy disk drive.

    NOTE: If you are using a Windows 95 Startup disk, a command prompt is displayed and you can skip to step 2. If you are using a Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, or Windows Me Startup disk, select the Start computer without CD-ROM support menu option when the Windows 98 Startup menu is displayed.
  2. When a command prompt is displayed, type format c: /s, and then press ENTER. This command transfers the system files and should only be used when you format drive C (or your "active" drive). For all other partitions, type format drive: (where drive is the letter of the partition that you want to format).

    NOTE: If you receive a "Bad command" or "Bad file name" error message, you may need to extract the Format.com tool to your boot disk. To do this, type the following command at a command prompt, and then press ENTER:

    extract ebd.cab format.com

    After the Format.com tool is extracted to your boot disk, type format c: /s at command prompt to format your active partition, or type format drive: if you want to format a partition that is not your active partition.
  3. When you successfully run the Format.com tool, you receive the following message:

    WARNING, ALL DATA ON NON-REMOVABLE DISK DRIVE C: WILL BE LOST!
    Proceed with Format?

  4. Press Y, and then press ENTER to format drive C.
  5. After the format procedure is finished, you receive the following message:

    Volume label (11 characters, ENTER for none)?

    NOTE: This is an optional feature that you can use to type a name for the drive. You can either type an 11-character name for the drive, or you can leave it blank by pressing ENTER.