Formatting a hard drive from the BIOS is a bit different from formatting it using software on your computer. Here are the steps to format a hard drive from the BIOS:
Note: Formatting a hard drive will erase all data on it, so be sure to back up any important data before proceeding.
Step 1: Access the BIOS
To access the BIOS, you need to restart your computer and press a specific key when prompted. The key to press varies depending on your computer manufacturer and model, but commonly used keys are F2, F10, Del, or Esc. Look for a message that says “Press [key] to enter Setup” or “Press [key] to enter BIOS.” Once you enter the BIOS, navigate to the “Advanced” or “Storage” tab.
Step 2: Identify the hard drive
Once you are in the BIOS, you need to identify the hard drive you want to format. Look for a list of connected storage devices in the BIOS. The hard drive you want to format should be listed along with other devices like your optical drive or USB drives.
Step 3: Change the boot order
To format a hard drive from the BIOS, you need to boot your computer from a bootable USB drive that contains a formatting tool. To do this, you need to change the boot order in the BIOS so that your computer boots from the USB drive first. Look for the “Boot” or “Boot Order” tab in the BIOS and move the USB drive to the top of the list.
Step 4: Save and exit
Once you have changed the boot order, save the changes and exit the BIOS. Your computer will restart and boot from the USB drive.
Step 5: Use a formatting tool
Now that you have booted from the USB drive, you can use a formatting tool to format the hard drive. There are several formatting tools available, such as DBAN (Darik’s Boot and Nuke), GParted, and Parted Magic. These tools are usually free and can be downloaded from their respective websites.
Step 6: Follow the formatting tool’s instructions
Each formatting tool has its own instructions, but generally, you need to select the hard drive you want to format and follow the tool’s instructions to format it. Be sure to select the correct hard drive to avoid formatting the wrong one. Once the formatting process is complete, your hard drive will be formatted and ready for use.
Step 7: Exit the formatting tool
Once you have formatted the hard drive, exit the formatting tool and remove the USB drive from your computer. Restart your computer and boot into your operating system.
Conclusion
Formatting a hard drive from the BIOS is a bit more complicated than formatting it using software on your computer, but it can be useful if you need to wipe a hard drive completely clean or if you are having issues formatting it using software. Remember to back up any important data before proceeding and to select the correct hard drive to avoid formatting the wrong one. By following these steps, you can format a hard drive from the BIOS and prepare it for use.
