wow, I would of said you dont have to format it. When ever you can't get into windows in normal mode but CAN get into windows safe mode, that is either a driver issue or a corrupted .dll loading in the startup menu. Either way, 1st thing I would of done is gone to safe mode, go into display properties, advanced, adapters, change, select one and choose standard PCI graphics adapter VGA and see if it boot up. Also, before doing that check DM to look for duplicates and/or splats. However, if he wants to format it thats upto him but I dont see the need for it.