Tyler Larson

Noddy wrote:
> "Jerry" <ChiefZekeNoSpam@MSN.com> wrote in message
> news:%23nVlIu61HHA.5380@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>> Reformatting the drive removes everything. FDISK /MBR is redundant if
>> you just formatted.
>
> Format does not clear the mbr. If it did then Linux Grub or Lilo
> wouldn't be left behind after a format, but it is and to get rid of it
> you run fdisk /mbr. HDD manufacturers still provide what they call low
> level format utilities but all they really are is a zero wipe utility
> which does overwrite every sector on a HDD and is the best method to
> ensure you are virus free. Or you can simply use Dban's quick wipe, same
> thing. Dban is available as a separate download or on The Ultimate Boot
> Disk.

The MBR is stored on sector 0, whereas partitions start at sector 1
(specifically to avoid overwriting the boot sector (MBR)). Therefore,
nothing you can do to the partition will affect the boot sector.
However, in the process of reinstalling windows, you'll automatically
write a new boot sector, since that's what SETUP does.