Author Topic: Hard drive format without installation CD (Read 107299 times)

tweedytl · « **on:** August 03, 2008, 10:19:52 AM »

I've been trying to format the hard drive on one of my computers, basically to get rid of all the clutter that has accumulated on it. I've already made back ups of all the data I want to save, but I can't find any of the installation restore CDs that came with it. I think the computer may have come with Windows already installed on it, without any installation CDs. Is it possible for me to format the hard drive without them, and if so how?

Here are my system specifications:

OS: Microsoft Windows XP
Media Centre Edition
Version 2002
Service pack 2
2.80 Ghz 1.00Gb of RAM

My conputer has 2 main drives or disks on it: HP_PAVILON (C:) and HP_RECOVERY(D:)

SuperDave · « **Reply #1 on:** August 03, 2008, 10:23:09 AM »

You probably didn't get any disks. That's why there's a recovery on partition D.

tweedytl · « **Reply #2 on:** August 03, 2008, 11:35:29 AM »

...so what am I supposed to do? I want to get rid of pretty much all the files and programs I've installed and return the computer to an 'as new' status.

Broni · « **Reply #3 on:** August 03, 2008, 11:45:50 AM »

Quote

and return the computer to an 'as new' status

Are you not planning to install any OS on it?

tweedytl · « **Reply #4 on:** August 03, 2008, 01:25:55 PM »

It came with Windows installed on it. I don't want to get rid of that because I can't reinstall it.

Broni · « **Reply #5 on:** August 03, 2008, 01:59:37 PM »

I don't understand. How can you reformat hard drive, and leave Windows on, at the same time?

tweedytl · « **Reply #6 on:** August 03, 2008, 02:45:56 PM »

I kind of just assumed it was possible.

To be honest I don't even really know what a hard drive is, or what it means to format one. I'm just looking for a way to get rid of *everything* that I've installed on the computer since I bought it. It's currently so slow as to be practically unusable.

SuperDave · « **Reply #7 on:** August 03, 2008, 02:55:10 PM »

If you just want to restore your computer back to the state it was when you purchased it you just need to do a recovery from your recovery partition. Just do a search for "recovery" and it should give you the information on how to do it.see here:
[edit] Recovery partitions
In recent years, bundled recovery CD-ROMs have become less common, as some OEM's are now utilizing hard drive partitions to store the recovery data. Accessing hard drive based system recovery is usually performed by pressing a specific key combination during or after the computer's POST. Partition based recovery systems are usually faster than their disc based counterparts since the data is directly on the hard drive and no disc swapping is needed. They can also be cheaper for the OEM because they do not need to ship recovery CDs with the computer, adding the price of creating them to the cost of the computer.

However, if the hard drive fails, is fully reformatted, or is replaced, the recovery partition will be lost. An application used to burn bootable recovery CDs or DVDs is sometimes offered in order to allow a backup of the recovery data.[4] For computers with Recovery Partitions, these recovery CDs can also sometimes be ordered directly from the OEM. If they are used to recover the system, the recovery partition can sometimes be recreated with the recovery CD as well.

Broni · « **Reply #8 on:** August 03, 2008, 03:06:46 PM »

On HP, you can access Recovery Partition by pressing F10 key at computer startup.

tweedytl · « **Reply #9 on:** August 03, 2008, 03:15:44 PM »

Thanks for the help. I'll look into that tomorrow.

Broni · « **Reply #10 on:** August 03, 2008, 06:41:10 PM »

Let us know.

patio · « **Reply #11 on:** August 03, 2008, 06:50:54 PM »

I sincerely hope that you're aware that after this procedure all your data abd programs will be gone....

drmsucks · « **Reply #12 on:** August 03, 2008, 09:36:40 PM »

Quote from: patio on August 03, 2008, 06:50:54 PM

I sincerely hope that you're aware that after this procedure all your data abd programs will be gone....

Looks like he's covered.

Quote from: tweedytl on August 03, 2008, 10:19:52 AM

I've already made back ups of all the data I want to save,

patio · « **Reply #13 on:** August 04, 2008, 01:28:11 PM »

Well when Broni asked how can you format and leave Windows on it at the same time his reply :

Quote

I kind of just assumed it was possible.

tweedytl · « **Reply #14 on:** August 04, 2008, 01:38:23 PM »

Ok, I pressed F10 at setup, and was given 2 choices: either test (recommended) or run a recovery. I clicked on test, and was taken to 'PC-Doctor 5 for Windows PE'

From there I had 4 options:

Main Category - Basic Test
Advanced category - Hard Drive Test
- Optical Drive Test
- CPU and Memory Test

I clicked on Basic Test, and the program ran for a few minutes. When it finished, this screen appeared:

Test Result Information
Hard Drive - SAMSUNG SP2504C (Hard Drive)

Results Test Name Error Code
Failed SMART short self test HD521-2W

What should I do now? Is it safe to attempt a recovery? I turned the computer off without attempting a partition recovery after I got the test reults.

tweedytl · « **Reply #15 on:** August 04, 2008, 01:46:46 PM »

Quote from: patio on August 04, 2008, 01:28:11 PM

Well when Broni asked how can you format and leave Windows on it at the same time his reply :

Quote
I kind of just assumed it was possible.

After reading SuperDave's post and the Help and Support topics, I think I actually need to run a recovery, rather than format the Hard Drive.

drmsucks · « **Reply #16 on:** August 04, 2008, 02:10:04 PM »

Quote from: tweedytl on August 04, 2008, 01:46:46 PM

Quote from: patio on August 04, 2008, 01:28:11 PM
Well when Broni asked how can you format and leave Windows on it at the same time his reply :

Quote
I kind of just assumed it was possible.

After reading SuperDave's post and the Help and Support topics, I think I actually need to run a recovery, rather than format the Hard Drive.

Whoa - your hard drive just failed it's test. To confirm, go to Samsung's site and look for their hard drive diagnostic software, download and run it. If you have a choice, run a "long" test.

Quote from: tweedytl on August 04, 2008, 01:38:23 PM

Results Test Name Error Code
Failed SMART short self test HD521-2W

Broni · « **Reply #17 on:** August 04, 2008, 09:58:16 PM »

Yep, no reason to run recovery, if HD is going bad.
http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287#samsung

tweedytl · « **Reply #18 on:** August 06, 2008, 08:56:58 AM »

I went to http://www.tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287#samsung and tried to download the ES-Tool, and found this:

Execution

* ES Tool is a DOS based utility so it is needed to prepare a bootable 1.44-MB diskette in advance.
* Download ES Tool.exe on the diskette prepared from the internet.
* Reboot the system by above diskette.
* Execute the program by typing A:＼> ES Tool.exe in DOS prompt.
* Please Back-up your data before executing this program.

I've already backed up my data, but I don't understand the first 4 instructions.

drmsucks · « **Reply #19 on:** August 06, 2008, 10:21:59 AM »

If you don't have a fdd, go here: http://www.samsung.com/us/support/download/supportDownDetail.do?group=&type=&subtype=&model_nm=SP2504C&language=&cate_type=all&mType=SW&dType=D&vType=L&cttID=220644&prd_ia_cd=05040200&disp_nm=SP2504C and download the .iso for a CD. You'll need to burn the .iso image file to a CD. Boot from the CD and follow the directions.

If you need a program to burn the .iso file, use this: http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm

tweedytl · « **Reply #20 on:** August 07, 2008, 10:48:58 AM »

OK, I burned the ESTOOL program onto a CD, then booted from that CD at start up. I ran the full diagnostic. When the test finished, I was told that an error had been found and that I should run ERASE HDD, after making a back up of everything. I had already made backups of all the data I wanted to save, so I ran ERASE HDD.

When that completed, I restarted the computer and went to the boot menu. 3 options appeared:

SM-HL-DT-STDVDRRW GSA-H2OL (I belive this is the CD in the CD drive)
3M-SAMSUNG SP2504C (I think this boots from the main hard drive, like usual)
Ut165 USB2FlashStorage 0.00

When I tried the first 2 options with the ESTOOL CD still in the computer, lots of lines of text went past really quickly and then I was taken to the ESTOOL program.

I took the CD out and tried the first 2 options again. They both took me to a blank screen with just a few lines of text:

Disk error
Press any key to restart

(After pressing a key)

Reboot and Select proper Boot device
or Insert Boot Media in
selected Boot device and
press a key_

I thought ERASE HDD would only delete files and programs, but I think it's removed Windows as well. Is there any way I can get it back?

drmsucks · « **Reply #21 on:** August 07, 2008, 11:27:33 AM »

Quote from: tweedytl on August 07, 2008, 10:48:58 AM

I thought ERASE HDD would only delete files and programs, but I think it's removed Windows as well. Is there any way I can get it back?

Windows = "files and programs."

I am unclear as to the status of the hdd - good or bad? Run the diagnostic again.

Erase probably did delete everything on the hdd - including Windows and the Recovery Partition.

If this were mine, at this point, I would: a) call HP and order recovery disks, b) buy a new hdd, if there is any doubt about its status.

tweedytl · « **Reply #22 on:** August 07, 2008, 02:08:21 PM »

I ran the diagnostic again, this time it said there were no errors. I'll use some recovery disks to load Windows OS onto the hard drive. Thanks for all the help.

SuperDave · « **Reply #23 on:** August 07, 2008, 03:04:43 PM »

Quote from: tweedytl on August 07, 2008, 02:08:21 PM

I ran the diagnostic again, this time it said there were no errors. I'll use some recovery disks to load Windows OS onto the hard drive. Thanks for all the help.

I thought you had no disks.

tweedytl · « **Reply #24 on:** August 07, 2008, 03:17:59 PM »

I realised I could use the disks that came with the computer I'm currently using

. The label on the computer says 'Windows Vista Compatible' so it should be all right.

drmsucks · « **Reply #25 on:** August 07, 2008, 04:17:38 PM »

Quote from: tweedytl on August 07, 2008, 03:17:59 PM

I realised I could use the disks that came with the computer I'm currently using . The label on the computer says 'Windows Vista Compatible' so it should be all right.

Don't think that will work...good luck!

jsranchmn22 · « **Reply #26 on:** February 29, 2012, 01:01:30 PM »

Well here it is 2011 and I am having same issue. Glad I found this thread! I have a HP a1310n. Inspired by this thread, I went back to original documents received with desktop. It instructed me to create system recovery discs as follows:

Windows XP: Start > All Programs > PC Help & Tools >HP PC Recovery CD-DVD Creator. It is recommended to use DVD which I happed to have. This requires 2 discs. If CD used, it requires 16.

I am now making recover discs and will report back.

I have no doubt this messed up computer will attempt to report bad hard drive to me but I doubt I have a bad hard drive. It is just a mess!

Ok burned disc 1, HP instructed me to label it disc 1, Recovery.

After burning the discs I will attempt to to do a Full System Recovery on current recovery hard drive. If unsuccessful, I have the discs.

I will start a new thread with this post. Just wanted this info connected with this thread since it came up high when I did a Google search.

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Author Topic: Hard drive format without installation CD (Read 107299 times)

tweedytl

SuperDave

tweedytl

Broni

tweedytl

Broni

tweedytl

SuperDave

Broni

tweedytl

Broni

patio

drmsucks

patio

tweedytl

tweedytl

drmsucks

Broni

tweedytl

drmsucks

tweedytl

drmsucks

tweedytl

SuperDave

tweedytl

drmsucks

jsranchmn22