FDISK FORMAT Procedure - Laptops
- Document ID: 94000519
- Posted Date: 1996-08-19
- Last Updated: 1996-08-19
- Distribution: View Public Website
- Applicable Models
Satellite 100CS Satellite 110CS Satellite 110CT Satellite 200CDS Portege 300CT Portege 610CT Portege 650CT Portege 660CDT Tecra 500CDT Tecra 500CS Tecra 510CDT Tecra 520CDT Tecra 530CDT Tecra 700CS Tecra 700CT Tecra 710CDT Tecra 720CDT Tecra 730CDT Tecra 730XCDT Tecra 740CDT Tecra 750CDT Satellite Pro 400CDT Satellite Pro 400CS Satellite Pro 415CS Satellite Pro 425CDS Satellite Pro 430CDS Satellite Pro 430CDT Satellite Pro 440CDT Satellite Pro 440CDX Satellite Pro 465CDX
- Information
- At times it is necessary to partition before formatting a Hard Disk; such as removing a boot-sector computer virus. This procedure will step the user thru this process.
CAUTION: This process will delete the Hard Disk's current partition and all the software and data found on it. Backup all your personal data before starting this procedure.
1. Resetting the BIOS/CMOS settings.
a. Place the Toshiba Companion Diskette in the floppy drive and reboot. - i.e. press the reset button or turn the system off and back on.
b. As soon as the system starts, hold down the [Esc] key until the message "Check system. Then press [F1] key." is displayed.
c. Press the [F1] key to enter the BIOS settings.
Note: A second way to get the BIOS settings is to boot from the Toshiba Companion Diskette, Exit to DOS, and from the DOS prompt (A:\>) enter the command "TSETUP".
The Computer will now display a "SYSTEM SETUP" screen. In the upper right the BIOS version number will be displayed. Write this number down for future reference - the back page of the computer User's Guide is an excellent place for this kind of information.
d. At the bottom of the SYSTEM SETUP screen is a list of commands that can edit the current values of the BIOS. "Set default values" by pressing the [Home] key is the desired command; upper right corner of the keyboard - press [Home].
e. Now press the [End] key - Lower right corner of the keyboard - to "Save changes and Exit. The computer will respond with "Are you sure ? (Y/N)". Press the [Y] Key.
The computer will now reboot. If it responds with a DOS prompt, just repeat step 1a to reboot.
2. Deleting the Current Hard Disk Partition.
a. Booting off the Toshiba Companion will bring up the "Toshiba Companion Diskette Utility" Welcome box. Press the [Enter] key to access the "Main Menu" screen.
b. Using the [Up/Down arrow] keys - Lower right of the keyboard, highlight the "Exit to DOS" option. Press the [Enter] key to get a DOS prompt (A:\>).
c. Enter the command "FDISK" and press the [Enter] key.
Note: If the computer responds with the following question: "Do you wish to enable large disk support (Y/N) ... (N)". The user must respond with the default [N]. Toshiba Computers are formatted from the factory with this option set to "No" - for a FAT16 System. If the user formats with this option as "Yes" for the FAT32 System, Toshiba will be unable to support this configuration and any software loaded on it.
d. "Fixed Disk Setup Program" main command screen will come up:
FDISK Options
Current fixed disk drive: 1
Choose one of the following:
1. Create DOS partition or Logical DOS Drive
2. Set active partition
3. Delete partition or Logical DOS Drive
4. Display partition information
Note: By pressing the [Esc] key in any FDISK sub-menu, the user can return back to this menu screen. The [Esc] key from this menu will return the user back to the DOS prompt.
e. Choose option "Delete partition or Logical DOS Drive" by pressing the [3] then [Enter] keys.
This will bring up the "Delete DOS Partition or Logical DOS Drive" Menu.
1. Delete Primary DOS Partition
2. Delete Extended DOS Partition
3. Delete Logical DOS Drive(s) in the Extended DOS Partition
4. Delete Non-DOS Partition
f. Choose option "Delete Primary DOS Partition" by pressing the [1] then [Enter] keys.
This will bring up the Delete Primary DOS Partition screen.
Note: the primary partition [1] is already defaulted. The warning is to remind the user that all data will be deleted.
g. Press the [Enter] key to Choose the defaulted primary partition [1].
h. Enter Volume Label if applicable or press [Enter] key to skip.
i. "Are you sure (Y/N) ..?" is defaulted to "N". Press the "Y" then [Enter] keys to continue with the deletion.
The computer will respond with: "Primary DOS Partition deleted".
j. Press the [Esc] key to return back to the "FDISK Options" menu.
3. Rebuilding the DOS Partition.
a. Choose option "Create DOS partition or Logical DOS Drive" by pressing the [1] then [Enter] keys.
This will bring up the "Create DOS Partition or Logical DOS Drive" Menu.
1. Create Primary DOS Partition
2. Create Extended DOS Partition
3. Create Logical DOS Drive(s) in the Extended DOS Partition
b. Choose option "Create Primary DOS Partition" by pressing the [1] then [Enter] keys.
This will bring up: "Do you wish to use the maximum available size for a Primary DOS Partition and make the partition active (Y/N) ?" question with the default as "Y".
d. Press the [Y] and [Enter] keys to use maximum available size for the primary DOS partition.
The computer should respond with: "You must restart your system for your changes to take effect. Shut down Windows before restarting"
e. Press the [Esc] key to return back to a (A:\>) prompt.
f. Reboot the system (see step 1. a).
4. Formatting the Hard Disk.
a. After the system has been rebooted (see step 1a) The computer will come back up to "Toshiba Companion Diskette Utility" Welcome box. Exit back to the DOS prompt (see steps 2a - 2b )
b. Enter the command "FORMAT C: /S" and press the [Enter] key.
If the computer responds with "Invalid drive specification", return back to "FDISK" and review steps 3. a thru e.
The computer should warn the user with:
WARNING, ALL DATA ON NON-REMOVABLE DISK DRIVE C: WILL BE LOST
Proceed with format (Y/N)?
c. Press the [Y] and [Enter] keys to start the formatting process.
The computer will display a percent complete number and when it completes the process it will display "Format complete" and "System transferred" and ask the question: Volume label (11 characters, ENTER for none)?
d. Enter a name for the hard disk or just press the [Enter] key to skip to the DOS prompt.
Congratulations! You have now formatted the Hard Disk now you may continue reconfiguring your system.
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