Of what skunk said,this method requires the use of a "Startup floppy",with the basic DOS commands on it. With the advent of Windows,not many people know how to use DOS. I have both;a floppy,and CD versions that I use semi-regularly.
That's true 45454, not many folks might have or use DOS these days. I started on computers back in the days of CP/M, and DOS was just becoming popular. We thought it was simply fantastic when cassette decks could be used as input devices over punch cards and card feeders. I too still have DOS floopy boot disks, but I've upgraded them to CD-ROM.
We're showin our age
!
And the Commodore computers ?.....Had a new Commodore C-128.With 2 drives and a cassette.About a year or two later,my cousin bought it. Commodore PET ? My Lord,sure is ancient now.Fun to play with at times.Don't have them anymore.
Osborne CP/M ?
Got an old Osborne Technical Repair Manual.
Come to think about it,have a Radio Shack TRS80 portable/luggable.The power supply fried a couple years ago.I also kept the Win 95 install disks.All 21 of them.
Got my boot CDs in a round-about way.Sure are valuable for those 'puters that don't have a floppy.
Mattmillerrx,Windows won't allow for the wipe of the C: drive while in Windows.
A startup disk/CD must be used.Once a low level format is performed,then usually,ALL information is lost.
And,that includes the Operating System.If you don't have the re-install disk(s) for this,you're done for.
Which means,no boot,no computer to use.
On most startup disks in DOS,there should be "fdisk.exe" on it.In computers,I'd consider this the most "dangerous" program.But are useful for technicians,especially when a self replicating virus can't be removed.When performed,the hard drive is essentially back to "square one"ie:as if new.
I had one on mine a few years ago.Was a PITA to say the least.
So,had to do a low level format,then do a re-install of the O.S.-Windows.Whatever info was on,it was to be never recovered again.Also,did a "00" on the drive,to make sure nothing can be recovered.(wipe drive)
If you don't feel comfortable to wipe the drive,and do a re-install of the O.S.,take it to a technician.
I have no idea of what a tech would charge.I've been building my own for years.