Format commands

[format c:]

Hey I spotted these format command and I want to know what it means and does format c: /u/s

I am wondering if this is the cammand that means unconditional format that actually erases the data instead of just varifying the drive and rewriting the FAT
This would save me time when I have to reinstall Windows


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Format c reboot,reboot,reboor,reboot )

Here we go:-

• /u = Unconditional Format which normally means that an Unformat command cannot be used to recover the data that was previously on the drive.
• /s = System :- which copies the system files to the drive to make it bootable
• /q = Quick Format :- Basically erases all data on the drive and can allow the Unformat command to be used to recover data.

Any more chaps???

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[Ruslan]

/Z:1 (or 0,1,2,4,..?)
- unlisted format.com command I found,
allows You to reduce claster size down to 512 byte (!!) per claster using FAT32.
I'm using 2kb claster size on Fat32 partition on my CDrecorder-PC' HDD for storing temporary files and CD images and all working fine.

Warnings of using this options:
1. Never format this partitions from DOS - only from Win95/98 - else You can lost Your disk C and this partition: (like You using format c:/u)
2. Never extend or reduce size of this disk
using Partition Magic. You have to delete
this partition first.

There are all restrictions I found.
I have using this partition for more then 2 years without problem (except for listed above).

Don't forget to save Your data before trying that option.


[This message has been edited by Ruslan (edited August 08, 2000).]

[BoB01]

This is what you get if you type format /?

Formats a disk for use with MS-DOS.

FORMAT drive: [/V[:label]] [/Q] [/F:size] [/C]
FORMAT drive: [/V[:label]] [/Q] [/T:tracks /N:sectors] [/C]
FORMAT drive: [/V[:label]] [/Q] [/1] [/4] [/C]
FORMAT drive: [/Q] [/1] [/4] [/8] [/C]

/V[:label] Specifies the volume label.
/Q Performs a quick format.
/F:size Specifies the size of the floppy disk to format (such
as 160, 180, 320, 360, 720, 1.2, 1.44, 2.88).
/T:tracks Specifies the number of tracks per disk side.
/N:sectors Specifies the number of sectors per track.
/1 Formats a single side of a floppy disk.
/4 Formats a 5.25-inch 360K floppy disk in a high-density drive.
/8 Formats eight sectors per track.
/C Tests clusters that are currently marked "bad."

[format c:]

Cool now I know how to REALLY format a drive to make sure Windows does not pick up corrupted data
Thanks all for your input

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Format c reboot,reboot,reboor,reboot )

[This message has been edited by format c: (edited August 08, 2000).]

[clauded]

hi just a small point,the/u/ command doesn`t work on a hdd,it won`t stop you from formating the drive but it works only with floppy drives,check out the old dos book,my 2cents, clauded