Need to format HDD but dvd drive not working

Grahame Rob · 7th November 2013, 19:54

I need to format my hard drive but my dvd drives not working (part of the reason format is needed). The drive is showing up in my computer but it wont recognise any disc thats in it so I cant "boot from disc". Would it be possible to copy my Windows disc to a usb flash drive and format the hard drive from the flash drive?

Grahame

Avulon · 7th November 2013, 20:00

If the drive is showing OK in 'My computer' then it's more likely to be a hardware error. Re-formatting your hard drive will not help. First thing though is : have you tried a dvd cleaning disk yet? Have you tried another dvd drive? (they're pretty cheap). The other thing you can do is go to device management and uninstall the dvd drive & delete the drivers; then scan for hardware changes. The dvd drive should be detected and re-installed.

However my money is on a dirty or malfunctioning dvd drive.

Installing Windows from a usb drive I haven't heard of before.

Grahame Rob · 7th November 2013, 20:17

I have set the bios to boot from dvd but when I restart the comp it just boots from hdd. The dvd is a sata type and I have a spare but thats Ide so I have no idea how to connect the the spare dvd

tareim · 7th November 2013, 22:17

yes it's possible to install windows from a USB, its the only way I will do it nowadays because USB is faster than CD/DVD.

I use http://wintoflash.com/home/en/ it is fairly staight forwards, asks you for the location of the install files and then the location of the USB drive, set it off and in a few mins your ready to go

persuer · 7th November 2013, 22:20

Have you been into the bios and changed the boot order to cd/dvd 1st? (yes you have you must have put that on when i was researching this lol)

If you are looking at installing windows from USB look at this tutorial

http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/...usbdvd_dwnTool

chipsceola · 10th November 2013, 13:15

Related maybe? - I have an Asus laptop that will write to CD/DVD disc, but not read any other CD/DVD from the drive, all reports state the drive is working correctly, and if I plug another CD Drive into a USB port, I can read/write as normal on the portable drive.

With so many notebooks/netbooks about today with no CD etc., the USB drive is almost a necessity to install anything, so that's what I do with the Asus having spent several fruitless hours in the past trying to fix it.

Gate Keeper · 11th November 2013, 16:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by chipsceola

Related maybe? - I have an Asus laptop that will write to CD/DVD disc, but not read any other CD/DVD from the drive, all reports state the drive is working correctly, and if I plug another CD Drive into a USB port, I can read/write as normal on the portable drive.

With so many notebooks/netbooks about today with no CD etc., the USB drive is almost a necessity to install anything, so that's what I do with the Asus having spent several fruitless hours in the past trying to fix it.

Hi Chips, I am not sure if I should have started another thread or if this is linked to Grahame's post. I am looking to wipe the personal files securely from an Asus EE laptop whilst preserving the Windows XP OS.

We are donating the laptop along with its external DVD/CD drive and wish to wipe the files clean to prevent them from being restored, to protect us against identity theft. I posted this up on the community forum where a couple of the guys talked about over writing to securely erase the files with a string of zero's. The laptop did not come with XP and so we had to buy the disc separately 3 years ago.

From your experience in owning a similar laptop, would you happen to know how the documents, photos and other private files can be safely removed without damaging the system files or OS? What do you think?

Many thanks for looking at this. All of the private files have already been backed up via USB flash drive. I am out of the UK and do not have access to a programme I have used in the past called 'Evidence Eliminator'.

chipsceola · 11th November 2013, 18:16

Hi Gate Keeper depends if system is configured as FAT32 or NTFS, if NTFS Command line available as part of the system called S Delete or secure delete, details from Microsoft TechNet here

Sprinter · 12th November 2013, 01:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gate Keeper

, would you happen to know how the documents, photos and other private files can be safely removed without damaging the system files or OS? What do you think?

Use a utility program like ccleaner. it has file shredder option.

Gate Keeper · 12th November 2013, 08:29

Thanks for the pointers Chips and Sprinter

The pieces of the puzzle are finally coming together. Someone else sent me a pm about CCleaner which carries a 5 star rating. I will use it when I return to Nairobi in a few weeks time.

7th November 2013, 19:54	#1
Grahame Rob Avid contributor MG ZT CDTI Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Wallsend Posts: 117 Thanks: 8 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Need to format HDD but dvd drive not working I need to format my hard drive but my dvd drives not working (part of the reason format is needed). The drive is showing up in my computer but it wont recognise any disc thats in it so I cant "boot from disc". Would it be possible to copy my Windows disc to a usb flash drive and format the hard drive from the flash drive? Grahame __________________ Once owned a 2004 MG ZT CDTI. Royal blue Now own a Nissan X-Trail

7th November 2013, 20:00	#2
Avulon This is my second home 1.8t Tourer Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Tanelorn Posts: 4,830 Thanks: 956 Thanked 1,148 Times in 916 Posts	If the drive is showing OK in 'My computer' then it's more likely to be a hardware error. Re-formatting your hard drive will not help. First thing though is : have you tried a dvd cleaning disk yet? Have you tried another dvd drive? (they're pretty cheap). The other thing you can do is go to device management and uninstall the dvd drive & delete the drivers; then scan for hardware changes. The dvd drive should be detected and re-installed. However my money is on a dirty or malfunctioning dvd drive. Installing Windows from a usb drive I haven't heard of before. __________________ Need a T4 ?: T4 Owners Map thanks to Stevestrat ( use at your own risk) Where?: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tanelorn Mods/Retrofits: PCV vortex 'filter'; bluetooth; inline thermostat; reversing sensors; plenum spyhole ; headlamp washers ; Diy mp3 player replacing CD multichanger; FBH with remote; Headlamp washers; black/chrome front grille, rear blind; Xenon projectors To do: puddle lights; 2 Din cd/nav to fit; boot release button

7th November 2013, 20:17	#3
Grahame Rob Avid contributor MG ZT CDTI Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Wallsend Posts: 117 Thanks: 8 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I have set the bios to boot from dvd but when I restart the comp it just boots from hdd. The dvd is a sata type and I have a spare but thats Ide so I have no idea how to connect the the spare dvd __________________ Once owned a 2004 MG ZT CDTI. Royal blue Now own a Nissan X-Trail

7th November 2013, 22:20	#5
persuer Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Contemporary SE CDTI Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Coseley Posts: 1,053 Thanks: 165 Thanked 193 Times in 145 Posts	Have you been into the bios and changed the boot order to cd/dvd 1st? (yes you have you must have put that on when i was researching this lol) If you are looking at installing windows from USB look at this tutorial http://www.microsoftstore.com/store/...usbdvd_dwnTool __________________ http://i1245.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3c920ec3.png http://www.midlandsnanomeets.co.uk/ You can lead a fool to wisdom but you can't make him think. Last edited by persuer; 7th November 2013 at 22:24..

10th November 2013, 13:15	#6
chipsceola This is my second home Jaguar XF 3.0D Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Southampton Posts: 4,364 Thanks: 119 Thanked 509 Times in 426 Posts	Related maybe? - I have an Asus laptop that will write to CD/DVD disc, but not read any other CD/DVD from the drive, all reports state the drive is working correctly, and if I plug another CD Drive into a USB port, I can read/write as normal on the portable drive. With so many notebooks/netbooks about today with no CD etc., the USB drive is almost a necessity to install anything, so that's what I do with the Asus having spent several fruitless hours in the past trying to fix it. __________________ Chips

7th November 2013, 22:17	#4
tareim I really should get out more....... MG ZT+ 160 v6 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Bridgwater Posts: 2,272 Thanks: 73 Thanked 233 Times in 210 Posts	yes it's possible to install windows from a USB, its the only way I will do it nowadays because USB is faster than CD/DVD. I use http://wintoflash.com/home/en/ it is fairly staight forwards, asks you for the location of the install files and then the location of the USB drive, set it off and in a few mins your ready to go

11th November 2013, 18:16	#8
chipsceola This is my second home Jaguar XF 3.0D Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Southampton Posts: 4,364 Thanks: 119 Thanked 509 Times in 426 Posts	Hi Gate Keeper depends if system is configured as FAT32 or NTFS, if NTFS Command line available as part of the system called S Delete or secure delete, details from Microsoft TechNet here __________________ Chips

12th November 2013, 08:29	#10
Gate Keeper This is my second home 4X4 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Nairobi Posts: 20,084 Thanks: 8,286 Thanked 7,017 Times in 4,160 Posts	Thanks for the pointers Chips and Sprinter The pieces of the puzzle are finally coming together. Someone else sent me a pm about CCleaner which carries a 5 star rating. I will use it when I return to Nairobi in a few weeks time.