How to Format using Command Prompt?

Microsoft Windows 95, 98, ME syntax
Formats a disk for use with MS-DOS:

FORMAT drive: [/V[:label]] [/Q] [/F:size] [/B /S] [/C]FORMAT drive: [/V[:label]] [/Q] [/T:tracks /N:sectors] [/B /S] [/C]FORMAT drive: [/V[:label]] [/Q] [/1] [/4] [/B /S] [/C]FORMAT drive: [/Q] [/1] [/4] [/8] [/B /S] [/C]
/V[:label]
Specifies the volume label.
/Q
Performs a quick format.
/F:size
Specifies the size of the floppy disk to format (such as 160, 180, 320, 360, 720, 1.2, 1.44, 2.88).
/B
Allocates space on the formatted disk for system files.
/S
Copies system files to the formatted disk.
/T:tracks
Specifies the number of tracks per disk side.
/N:sectors
Specifies the number of sectors per track.
/1
Formats a single side of a floppy disk.
/4
Formats a 5.25-inch 360K floppy disk in a high-density drive.
/8
Formats eight sectors per track.
/C
Tests clusters that are currently marked "bad."


Microsoft Windows 2000 and Windows XP syntax
Formats a disk for use with Windows 2000:

FORMAT volume [/FS:file-system] [/V:label] [/Q] [/A:size] [/C] [/X]FORMAT volume [/V:label] [/Q] [/F:size]FORMAT volume [/V:label] [/Q] [/T:tracks /N:sectors]FORMAT volume [/V:label] [/Q] [/1] [/4]FORMAT volume [/Q] [/1] [/4] [/8]
volume
Specifies the drive letter (followed by a colon), mount point, or volume name.
/FS:filesystem
Specifies the type of the file system (FAT, FAT32, or NTFS).
/V:label
Specifies the volume label.
/Q
Performs a quick format.
/C
Files created on the new volume will be compressed by default.
/X
Forces the volume to dismount first if necessary. All opened handles to the volume would no longer be valid.
/A:size
Overrides the default allocation unit size. Default settings are strongly recommended for general use.NTFS supports 512, 1024, 2048, 4096, 8192, 16K, 32K, 64K.FAT supports 512, 1024, 2048, 4096, 8192, 16K, 32K, 64K, (128K, 256K for sector size > 512 bytes).FAT32 supports 512, 1024, 2048, 4096, 8192, 16K, 32K, 64K, (128K, 256K for sector size > 512 bytes).
Note that the FAT and FAT32 files systems impose the below restrictions on the number of clusters on a volume:
FAT: Number of clusters <= 65526 FAT32: 65526 <>EXAMPLES
When using the format command, remember all information on the drive you wish to format will be completely erased.
format a: - Would erase all the contents off a disk. Commonly used on a diskette that has not been formatted or on a diskette you wish to erase.
format a: /q - Quickly erases all the contents of a floppy diskette. Commonly used to quickly erase all information on the diskette.
format c: - This would erase all the contents of your C: hard disk drive. In other words, unless you wish to erase all your computer's information, this command should not be done unless you're planning to start over...

How to Partition using Command Prompt?

Hard disks can be partitioned to run separate operating systems on the same disk, or to break down a disk into manageable chunks for storage. Partitioning is performed on a new or reformatted disk. These instructions describe using FDISK for PCs using DOS 3 or later.

Instructions :
STEP 1: Start the computer in DOS. The screen will show the C:/ prompt.
STEP 2: Type "FDISK." The partition window will appear with menu options.
STEP 3: Enter 5 if you're partitioning a second drive, and select the drive; otherwise, skip to the next step.
STEP 4: Enter 1 (Create DOS Partition or Logical DOS Drive).
STEP 5: Enter 2 (Create Extended DOS) to create a partition.
STEP 6: Enter N when the program asks if you want to use the maximum available size.
STEP 7: Designate the amount of disk space to allocate to the second partition (the partition will be assigned the next drive letter).
STEP 8: Type a name for the new partition and press Enter. The partition menu will appear.
STEP 9: Repeat steps 5 through 8 to create additional partitions.
STEP 10: Press Esc to exit the partition command.
STEP 11: Format the newly created partitions (see "How to Format a Hard Drive").
Tips