How do I get into DOS?

[Yeti]

Proper DOS, not the prompt; I want to format my HD. I'm using XP Home and there doesn't seem to be a 'reboot in DOS' option.

Thanks.

[samjjones]

[ QUOTE ]
Proper DOS, not the prompt; I want to format my HD. I'm using XP Home and there doesn't seem to be a 'reboot in DOS' option.

Thanks.

[/ QUOTE ]
Why can't you do it from the prompt? DOS is just command line statements anyways.

[Alobar]

that because XP doesnt have proper DOS. Why do you need DOS to reformat anyway?

[touchfaith]

[ QUOTE ]
Proper DOS, not the prompt; I want to format my HD. I'm using XP Home and there doesn't seem to be a 'reboot in DOS' option.

Thanks.

[/ QUOTE ]

If you really want to re-format, go to the website of your hard-drive manufacturer and download their diag/reformat program (typically manufacture specific sw).

You can usually download a bootable CD image to burn.

This definately the case for WD and Seagate.

[Yeti]

[ QUOTE ]
that because XP doesnt have proper DOS. Why do you need DOS to reformat anyway?

[/ QUOTE ]

It's a crappy old PC, I just wanna erase everything on the HD before I throw it out. I was under the impression that this couldn't be done in Windows.

[Alobar]

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[ QUOTE ]
that because XP doesnt have proper DOS. Why do you need DOS to reformat anyway?

[/ QUOTE ]

It's a crappy old PC, I just wanna erase everything on the HD before I throw it out. I was under the impression that this couldn't be done in Windows.

[/ QUOTE ]

just boot your computer with the CD or disk that your HD came with, if you dont have that, just do what thinman said and go DL it. or get a program like partition magic

[Freakin]

[ QUOTE ]
Proper DOS, not the prompt; I want to format my HD. I'm using XP Home and there doesn't seem to be a 'reboot in DOS' option.

Thanks.

[/ QUOTE ]

If you're reinstalling windows, do so by booting up with the XP CD. You'll be able to delete/recreate your partition and reformat, all within the setup. You do not need to access DOS to reformat.

If you insist on doing it in DOS, you'll need to use a boot disk. You can google "DOS boot disk" and find some excellent precreated boot disk images. My personal favorite (w0rm boot disks) seems to be offline right now. Not sure if it is permanently dead.

Let me know if you have more questions.

Freakin

[touchfaith]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
that because XP doesnt have proper DOS. Why do you need DOS to reformat anyway?

[/ QUOTE ]

It's a crappy old PC, I just wanna erase everything on the HD before I throw it out. I was under the impression that this couldn't be done in Windows.

[/ QUOTE ]

The only way to erase everything is to write zero's to the drive. Look for a wiping utility on tucows or download it from the hard drive manufacture.

[MercTec]

It can't really be done in DOS either. Erased items....even "reformatted" hard drives still contain data that could be rebuilt if someone had the means and was determined enough. What you want is a program that erases to the DoD 5220.22-M standard......if you're really that concerned about it.

Check out programs such as WipeDrive or DiscScrub

[Yeti]

There isn't really any confidential info on this sucker.

[ChipWrecked]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
that because XP doesnt have proper DOS. Why do you need DOS to reformat anyway?

[/ QUOTE ]

It's a crappy old PC, I just wanna erase everything on the HD before I throw it out. I was under the impression that this couldn't be done in Windows.

[/ QUOTE ]

The only way to erase everything is to write zero's to the drive. Look for a wiping utility on tucows or download it from the hard drive manufacture.

[/ QUOTE ]

My company has contracts with the U.S. military.

We have one guy whose only job is to take apart hard drives, and smash/scratch the platters. That is the only truly secure way to dispose of a hard drive. (It is what the military requires us to do)

[icepick]

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It's a crappy old PC, I just wanna erase everything on the HD before I throw it out.

[/ QUOTE ]

Use a hammer.

[scdavis0]

Boot disk.

[MercTec]

This is not a bad idea. I took apart a hard drive i didnt need anymore once. ANd then proceeded to crack and scratch the platters as a precaution. Kinda cool...hard drive platters are shiny /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[touchfaith]

Ok, ok...are you worried about the KGB finding your drive, or do you want to simply be prudent and wipe the damn thing in case some punk (like many of you) gets their hands on it?

Just format the damn thing.

[Yeti]

It's likely going to the dumpster anyway. I'll just smash the HD up with a hammer.

Thanks for the help though.

big magnet

[stabn]

Just do it from the XP CD.

As to your actual request. Rofl.

[Yeti]

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As to your actual request. Rofl.

[/ QUOTE ]

Huh?

[FouTight]

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Proper DOS, not the prompt

[/ QUOTE ]

Set your time machine to 1987, you should be pretty much money.

[jakethebake]

Where the hell are your pics of hot chicks?

[TheWorstPlayer]

www.bcwipe.com (http://www.bcwipe.com)

since i know you don't want anyone going through your top-secret stuff.

[LethalRose]

if its an old computer and you dont plan on reusing the hard drive just destroy it.