How can i Format without having to boot?

[Raminios]

I'm getting the following BSOD...STOP: 0x0000C1F5 (0x00000000,0x00000000,0x00000000,0x00000000)tried safe mode and last known working and both gave the above STOP BSOD.Also cannot repair VISTA from DVD because getting the same BSOD.I really would like to be able to format my PC and be able to use it again. Is there a file i can put onto a disc which i can boot without having to use windows?

 

[Brink]

Hello Raminios, and welcome to Vista Forums.

You should be able to boot from your Vista installation DVD and format your hard drive with it. The first part of this tutorial will show you how to.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/117366-clean-install-full-version-vista.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Raminios]

s i said, i cannot boot from vista DVD, is there any other way?

 

[Brink]

Ok Raminios,

According to this KB article below, you may be able to use a Windows XP installation DVD, if you have one or can borrow one, to format the hard drive. Afterwards, you should be able to reinstall Vista.

Stop error message when you start a Windows Vista-based computer: "0x0000C1F5"

I would image that you may be able to connect the hard drive to another computer and format it from that computer, then take put it back in yours to reinstall Vista with.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[ripbox]

If it is possible to there then insert the vista dvd and boot from cd and run the procedure as if you are to do a repair
If you have not blue screened out by this time then use system restore checkpoint
After that you should be able to boot fine... now you should if you wish be able to do a format and start fresh
this is the same procedure i have to do after experiencing a similar BSOD

you can find all the info you need here Using System Restore from the Vista Windows Recovery Environment

 

[OldBloke]

I gather you can't boot the Vista DVD at all to access any of its functions such as repair or fresh install.

One of the possible reasons for this is software corruption on the hard disk.

With most bootable CDs, such as Linux and utilities like the bootable CD for memtest86+, it's very simple: You set CD before HD in the boot order in BIOS and the CD always boots.

The XP and Vista installer CDs behave differently. The BIOS starts the CD like it normally does. The code at the start of the CD shows a message "Press any key to boot CD/DVD..." (that message comes from the CD, not from the BIOS). If you don't press a key, that starting program from the CD boots your HD instead. If you do press a key, it continues into the programs on the DVD, which starts with the Language settings page.

During those first few seconds when it shows that "Press any key..." message, the CD's program also reads several files from the HD to see what kind of Windows is installed there and check whether you are halfway through installing Windows. Certain kinds of corruption on the HD can cause the CD's starting program to lock up.

The solution is to wipe the HD (overwrite it with 0's or a random pattern). You can wipe either the whole disk or at least the first couple of tracks, which cleans the MBR, partition table, and the beginning of the first partition. Then the Vista DVD will start properly. The Windows installer will think it's a brand new HD with no partitions on it, so it will offer to make a new partition and then install Windows.

You can clean the HD with Dban (runs from a bootable CD or floppy) or Seagate Seatools for DOS. If you're going to download a program and burn it to CD, you might as well choose Seatools because Dban can only wipe the disk but Seatools can also run various hard disk tests and repair some problems, such as bad sectors.
Seagate Technology - SeaTools

If you find that the Seatools or Dban CD will not boot, then you will know it wasn't the problem I described above (corruption on the HD) because unlike the Vista DVD they just simply boot from the CD without being affected by what's written on the HD.
If that happens you will need to check other possible causes, probably faulty hardware such as the DVD drive or ram.

 

[OldBloke]

I should have asked:
Are you sure the BIOS is set to boot CD before hard disk, in the setting for Boot Order?

 

[usmc_nam_vet]

If you can get a copy of MicroScope you can install in dvd drive and reboot your computer. It will boot to it and does not need a operating system to run. You then can wipe your hard drive. You will need the name of all your hardware or the drivers when you reload vista. Vista has a good driver base but there is always a chance some may not be on the disc. What service pack of vista do you have?