[Oaken]

Is formatting a HDD something that can be done without worry of harming it? I have had to format several times to get rid of OS after OS while trying to get my computer working. I'm now wondering if I could have damaged it while formatting at some point.

Another thing I was wondering is whether or not a HDD has any files on it that should never be removed?

[Makinami]

Nope!

You don't risk damaging your HDD with reformatting it

A HDD itself doesn't have any files it requires to run. Only files you wouldn't want to delete off of it are OS system files and hardware drivers. Those would cause the computer to run improperly and crash

[Oaken]

KRG, on 07 January 2010 - 09:15 AM, said:

Only files you wouldn't want to delete off of it are OS system files and hardware drivers. Those would cause the computer to run improperly and crash

...but the system files etc can be removed safely if you are installing another OS right?

[Makinami]

If you're installing a new OS, then it doesn't matter because the new OS installs it's own system files.

The installation does everything itself.

You should never remove system files on your own. (aka going willy nilly in the folder and deleting Windows System files)

[DarkVision]

Formatting Removes all possible files to allow for a fresh OS or to open up more space.

Aslong as you do it correctly like said about not browsing into the system files and going wacko with delete button all should be fine. :]

I myself have formatted quite abit as i like to test out various os's lol ^^

So far :
Win Xp
Win Vista
Win 7
WinFLP
Linux Fedora Core
Ubuntu

And then theres other odd linux distributions i install now and then

[kbbbb]

It can be beneficial to a HDD to format it.

Wiping malware can take several formats to clean it off (as it can come back). Although you say you don't have any, it can't hurt to format twice if you were to install a new OS.