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Format NTFS from DOS!
f0dder:
NTFS on DOS? Why on earth would you want that? And why would any sane person use DOS today in the first place?
daddydave:
Not sure why I didn't think of this before but..
Although there is no version of DOS that supports NTFS partitions in any form, Microsoft has something called Windows PXE (think of it as Windows Lite) you can use to create a boot CD, and run some version of Disk Manager from that. It is a little bit of pain to roll your own, but I've used a premade PXE boot CD image I've found on the internet, the name and my Google skills escape me at the moment.
hulkbuster:
Is there any reason you can't just boot from the Windows CD/DVD, (eg. Windows XP CD), into a Recovery Console and issue a Format, (and/or DiskPart), command?
No 3rd party software involved.
-4wd (October 01, 2010, 10:55 PM)
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I know you don't want a 3rd party solution, but really, one of the easiest ways to manipulate NTFS, outside of windows, is a Linux live cd.
-Eóin (October 01, 2010, 04:44 PM)
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Anything to do with boot disk type utility or manipulating a Windows or other OS based drive from a boot something-or-other like USB key, diskette, CD etc.. I would look here first:
http://www.boot-land.net/forums/
-MilesAhead (October 01, 2010, 06:37 PM)
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Thank you all for your valuable inputs: i need a Format Tool for NTFS partition because i want to format my drive prior to restoring my backup. Linux live cd is way out of my choice considering the amount of time it would take to boot and the Recovery Console too would take a considerable amount of time. Though it does the job:
I think i would have to satisfy myself with Easus Partition manager which i have been using for few months now.
Thanks Miles Ahead i will check on (later) www.boot-land.net: will see if i can find anything to my liking..........
4wd:
So summing up:
You need to be able to boot into DOS in less than 10 seconds and do a full NTFS format prior to restoring an image of your OS.
Correct?
If so, then you can boot with a boring old DOS floppy and issue a full format command. It doesn't matter what filesystem you format it in, it will be wiped when you restore your OS image.
However, if you mean that you will be restoring files and not a complete OS image, then:
Boot with a DOS floppy and issue a full format command. It doesn't matter what filesystem you format it in since when you choose to install the OS you can then do a quick format into NTFS - the result will be the same.
If you're now going to say that you don't have a floppy drive then the answer is:
In the amount of time spent downloading the relevant DOS files, prepping a Flash drive, copying the files to it and then rebooting to use it - I could have booted off a XP CD and partitioned/formatted the drive.
How to boot from a USB Flash drive. Partitioning/format tools here.
Just a question: Why do you need to do a full format before restoring your OS?
hulkbuster:
So summing up:
You need to be able to boot into DOS in less than 10 seconds and do a full NTFS format prior to restoring an image of your OS.
Correct?
If so, then you can boot with a boring old DOS floppy and issue a full format command. It doesn't matter what filesystem you format it in, it will be wiped when you restore your OS image.
In the amount of time spent downloading the relevant DOS files, prepping a Flash drive, copying the files to it and then rebooting to use it - I could have booted off a XP CD and partitioned/formatted the drive.
How to boot from a USB Flash drive. Partitioning/format tools here.
Just a question: Why do you need to do a full format before restoring your OS?
-4wd (October 02, 2010, 09:12 PM)
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I was hoping someone would come up with that suggestion i.e., Load DOS DISK and format the drive, well my friend it ain't any good since the drive is already a NTFS partition as daddydave said: Although there is no version of DOS that supports NTFS partitions in any form, Microsoft has something called Windows PXE
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(still to check on Windows PXE : doesn't sound interesting ).
The DOS Disk wont see NTFS so it ain't a proper way to do so , however this time around i used the Recovery Disk to format the partition , it took a less about min a few sec. I think i'll use both Recovery Console Disk and Easus Partition manager.
I can't give you a proper answer why i format before restoring ,its just good to start with a clean slate. Realigning the sectors that already has been fragmented many times, and restoring the backup without a proper format would inevitable contribute to wear and tear of HD, maybe....... :-\
Please correct me ,,,,,i have no idea or is it not so necessary to format prior to restoring.
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