How to format a hard drive on a laptop: ways to

The most frequently asked question: "How to format a hard disk on a laptop or desktop computer?" Why is it necessary? This article will describe how to conduct this procedure and its purpose.

Format internal hard disk with built-in software tools

The Windows operating system already has built-in utilities that allow you to format without using third-party software. This process can be done in two ways:

1. Format using the disk control panel. In this case, you need to call the context menu by hovering the cursor over the "My Computer" icon on the desktop and clicking on the right mouse button. Then select "Management", then a new window will open, in which all available functions will be displayed. In the left part of it you need to select the item "Storage devices", and after that - "Disk management". In the right part of the window, you will see all media, their file system, and you will be given the opportunity to work with them.
2. Formatting with the help of a conductor. To accomplish the task, just hover your mouse over the "My Computer" icon and click on it with the left button to open a new window. In its left part all information stores will be displayed. Select the desired disk, hover the cursor, click the right mouse button, and in the resulting context menu select the function "Format". Next, set all the necessary parameters and click on the "Start" button.

Formatting the hard disk from BIOSa

This function is performed in the following cases:

1. Installing the software. It is executed both by means of the built-in capabilities of any distributions, and by using third-party programs, such as Acronis. It should be remembered that if this operation is performed with a drive that was already in use, then before you format the hard drive on a laptop or stationary computer, you need to make a backup of all the information on it.
2. When replacing HDD. The essence of the work being done is to break up the new hard disk into logical partitions and then install the software. In this case, you can do with the standard features of the software being installed and not use other programs.

View media files

Many people want to repeatedly watch their favorite movies, listen to music or rummage in the family photo archive, resorting to the help of a large screen TV and DVD player or any other device that supports reading information from external media via USB. However, standard plastic carriers (CDs) are scratched sooner or later and, as a result, fail. And the amount of information recorded on them is negligible. And what is the way out of this situation? To the aid come ordinary hard drives for laptops and so-called "pockets" (special devices for connecting hard drives to other devices).

But that's not all. It is worth remembering that a DVD player or the same car radio recorder supports only one external storage format, and in order for everything to work correctly, you must format the hard drive in fat32 before burning multimedia files. So, the device will recognize the external source and normally read all the information.

What if the hard drive asks to format it?

During the operation of hard disks, situations arise in which the operating system can suddenly ask to format an internal hard disk. This can be interfaced with a variety of reasons, the main one of which is a failure in the drive. It is necessary to pay special attention to the fact that it is not recommended to perform the procedure with the help of built-in software, as all information stored on the drive will be deleted. Before formatting the hard drive on a laptop or desktop computer, you should use a third-party utility that will make a backup copy of the information. Many of the experts recommend using Acronis or GetDataBack. How to use the data of the application, quite easily described in the instructions for working with them. This method is well suited also in those cases when a flash drive or an external hard drive asks to format them.

In cases where this method has not given positive results, you should immediately stop further actions and contact a certified service center.

Information removal during pre-sale preparation

In our life there are situations when you have to part with your favorite PC. And for this it is necessary to conduct pre-sale training and remove all the information that is superfluous for the potential buyer. In such cases, the logical question arises: "How to format a hard disk on a laptop or desktop computer so that it is not possible to recover erased files and folders?"

To do this, you need to make a backup copy of all the information, and all-purpose disks format, then write down to them any kind of files and then re-format. At the last stage of preparing the PC for sale, you need to replace your old operating system with a new one. This procedure is carried out directly from under the BIOSa using the installation disk.

Can a hard disk formatting it often cause any harm to it?

Contrary to the prevailing conventional wisdom, it should be noted that even the most frequent formatting of the hard drive of a laptop, a desktop computer or an external drive can not cause any harm. This procedure does not in any way contribute to the demagnetization of the plate surface, the appearance of damaged sectors, the premature deterioration of the HDD drive or any other failure that could lead to a breakdown of the drive. All these are myths that are not supported by facts. The most sure path of a hard drive to a dump is improper operation, overheating or shaking.