how can i re-format my hard drive without losing the files already on it?
912854
You have to back them up in a secondary storage device like a USB drive or a CD. If you have multiple drives in your PC (say a C and a D drive),you can move the files from C to D and format the C drive if you want. If you run short of space,then distribute them across the drives you have. Still if you run out of space,there is no other way but to take a CD/USB backup.\n\nTo recover the lost files,try if they are hidden under Folder options. If you attempted a format on the drive and it went blank because of it,then there's no way i know that you can recover it.
115354
Well once you format something you will not be able to unformat it. Those files are lost forever.
884448
First, a simple format actually erases nothing off the hard drive, it only erases the links to the files.  As long as you don't touch it, you can recover everything.  The more you do with the hard drive after formatting, the less you can typically recover.\n\nIf you want to permanently erase data, there are a ton of programs out there (a lot of free ones too) that will write and rewrite the disk sectors numerous times to prevent recovery.  The US Department of Defense actually has a standard that they use to define proper secure deletion.\n\nI would list some programs, but there's tons.  Do a Google search on "secure deletion" and you'll see.
723945
Well u should take it to a technician, and only if they will guarantee in writing not to lose your files.  Formatting will definately lose your files.  And, also, u have to delete windows from the old drive too.
150688
backup what you want to keep and then use this to wipe the disk clean: \nhttp://www.killdisk.com/
465783
Format your harddisk and install all software again.
44426
You can format the hard drive by taking the disk that came with it and putting it in at start up. Doing this will wipe out EVERYTHING on the computer.
786431
Even after a reformat,lost files can be recovered provided they haven't been overwritten by other files.There are several hardware and software programs that can do this.The one I use is "Recover my Files v3.94." http://www.recovermyfiles.com/\nI haven't tested it on a formatted drive but it's worth trying.
221183
Yes, but if you've already written over the sectors where the data was stored, it's most likely beyond doing it yourself. STOP using the drive immediately and you may still be able to recover some data. There is a free data recovery program called Zero Assumption Recovery that you can try. Another program called Getdataback For NTFS ($100) is a better option than a freeware program.
1048042
there is no way to do it if format hard drive doesn't work
353844
You can use software like "FinalData2", I have been in this before and helped someone here in Yahoo Answers to recover his hard drive (Check my best answers).\nIf you like I can go again with you and help you too, send me your e-mail, and mark me as best answers.\n\nXLMan
900567
you could just throw in a windows xp cd and delete the partitions\nthen format it back to ntfs
1161761
use "DiskInternals Undelete" to recover the lost data to another proper drive, then you can reformat the c: drive and the it should work fine.. install windows then copy the recovered data back to the formatted drive
896920
That is extremely bad news, a few years ago it would be the worst. I'm afraid what you'll have to do is reformat the drive. \n\nFortunately all is not lost as there are two pieces of software that will recover the data from the drive after this has taken place.\n\nGetDataBack and Ontrack Easy Recovery - I've used GetDataBack before in the same situation and found it works brilliantly.\n\nThe best of luck, and next time remember to back up to DVD or CD.
85173
at the command prompt. type "FORMAT D: /q |y" \n(without the double quote and assuming your 8gb is on drive d)
692472
"Is there a virus that can format your hard drive?"\nIt could do\n\n"If your hard drive is formatted is there a way to find out how it was formatted?"\nNope, Everything is wiped clean off your hard drive\n\nI suggest you get an anti virus program, its free:\nhttp://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10503939.html?tag=lst-0-2
868188
go to my computer. right click on the drive you want to format and go to the button that says "format..."