First comment:

You  never do a low level format. This is done at the factory. It's a very last
resort. It sets the bits back to zero or sometimes called "Zero fills" the
drive.

2nd comment

The switch this person refers to /q is only used AFTER the initial FDISKing of a
drive. "/q" (quick) formats can not be used the very first time you format a
drive. You must use the standard method the first time the drive is being
formated, then you may remove the volume label with the "quick" format.

Gerald Kearns

Russell Smith wrote:

> >When I formatted I didn't type in
> format c /s
> only format c
> and am not able to install windows 98
>
>    A little lesson here on the format command:
>
>    The whole issue of switches (the / followed by a letter) is confusing,
> even to oldtimers who cut their teeth on DOS in the Stone Age of XTs. In
> Windows installations it doesn't quite have the same effect. Windows
> installation procedures takes over the drive after it is formatted and
> places whatever system files that are needed for that OS. Thus the /S switch
> is simply fluff and not needed for a drive that is being formatted prior to
> an install. Since you typically have to boot with a floppy anyway to enable
> the CD drive for an install of Windows then the bootable barebones C: drive
> with system files is superfluous.
>
>   FORMAT without any switches does a surface scan then a high-level format.
> That is plenty to get the average drive ready for a clean install. Note you
> must have a colon after the drive letter though:   Format C:   <press enter>
>
>  If a drive has held data previously you can format it quickly:  Format C:
> /Q
>
>  If you want to do a low-level format with simultaneous surface scan then
> use the Unconditional switch:   Format C: /U
>
>  If you combine the /U with the /Q you can format it very quickly and
> throughly:
>
>     Format C: /U /Q
>
>  The unconditional switch will kill any virus I have ever seen lurking on a
> hard drive, even the old boot sector viruses. It works great to clean up
> infected floppies also:
>
>    Format A: /U /Q
>
>    If you were unable to install Windows 98 after formatting the C drive
> (even without a switch) it is because you have other issues. Can you do a
> DIR command at the C: drive letter? Can you access the CD drive with your
> boot disk? And last exactly why are you unable to install Windows 98? We
> would need more details to help you.
>
> All the best,
>
> Russell Smith
> Edtech Consultant, Journalist
> A+ Certified Technician
> http://www.rustysmith.com
>
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