formating question

HigHTecHReDNecK · 05-December-05, 12:54 PM

GOOD MORNIN' PR !!

<<<<
Can someone explain to me the difference between formatting a harddisk by typing C: Format in dos and a low level format using a floppy disk. Reason for asking, i got a program disk from a friend called "PC Professor" and its got all kinds of neat little programs on it, one of which is a program you put on a floppy and use to "LOW LEVEL FORMAT" . In the read me files it's says it will format to D.O.D. standards . I was just wondering if this is might be a way to save a HDD that was coming up with a fatal error , or is formating it C: format in dos just as good and should i cut my loss??

Thanks for your time , and thanks for putting up with my annoyin' questions

SaltDaddy · 05-December-05, 01:06 PM

Format C: only removes the file structure where the low level wipes the whole drive to zero.
As for your question. I have a maxtor that would lock up my system when trying to read or write. I try the windows format. system froze up. I went for the boot disk format.....yup locked up. So I was thinking RMA time. but know the low level format pop in to my mind and that did the trick. hope that helps

EstwingMan · 05-December-05, 01:09 PM

You might find this interesting: http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/geom/...ilities-c.html

HigHTecHReDNecK · 05-December-05, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EstwingMan


	You might find this interesting: http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/geom/...ilities-c.html

Thanks EstWingMan, that was a great link and really informative

, and Thanks SaltDaddy, at least now i know its worth a shot

Zer0s · 05-December-05, 02:06 PM

Heres a really short and easy way to remember it.

Difference in Formating
Normal Format: Like cutting your lawn with your lawnmower
Low Level Format: Like scalping your lawn and reseeding.

GrandpaNoob72 · 05-December-05, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HigHTecHReDNecK


	...i got a program disk from a friend called "PC Professor" and its got all kinds of neat little programs on it, one of which is a program you put on a floppy and use to "LOW LEVEL FORMAT" . In the read me files it's says it will format to D.O.D. standards...

If you mean DOD = Department of Defense, we need to talk...

HigHTecHReDNecK · 06-December-05, 02:41 AM

Well, i did the LL format and the HDD seems fine thanks for all the info and help. I have however decided to not call it "low level format", i have here by renamed it "SLOW LEVEL FORMAT" , good god it took 5 hours to finish

Jager · 06-December-05, 03:57 AM

well when you want it gone really gone, then send in the marines... er low level format. generally it is that long, because it wipes the data and overwrites the data with null values, so reviving things or finding usable chunks are not very easy. one of mine back in the day took 24 hours to do. but the drive is still kicking unless you killed that 8 gig i sent you

ariesjj · 06-December-05, 04:49 AM

Not only does a low level format completely wipe the data. It also clears and remarks sector markings (tick marks). The major companies typically suggest a LLF before proceeding with an RMA.

*Note* LLF's should be used as a last resort HDD recovery tool according to WD, Seagate, and typical A+ teachings.

05-December-05, 12:54 PM		#1 (permalink)
HigHTecHReDNecK Sophist'Hoe"cated ReDNecK Reviewer	formating question GOOD MORNIN' PR !! <<<< Can someone explain to me the difference between formatting a harddisk by typing C: Format in dos and a low level format using a floppy disk. Reason for asking, i got a program disk from a friend called "PC Professor" and its got all kinds of neat little programs on it, one of which is a program you put on a floppy and use to "LOW LEVEL FORMAT" . In the read me files it's says it will format to D.O.D. standards . I was just wondering if this is might be a way to save a HDD that was coming up with a fatal error , or is formating it C: format in dos just as good and should i cut my loss?? Thanks for your time , and thanks for putting up with my annoyin' questions

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05-December-05, 01:06 PM		#2 (permalink)
SaltDaddy Apex Master Tech Apprentice	Format C: only removes the file structure where the low level wipes the whole drive to zero. As for your question. I have a maxtor that would lock up my system when trying to read or write. I try the windows format. system froze up. I went for the boot disk format.....yup locked up. So I was thinking RMA time. but know the low level format pop in to my mind and that did the trick. hope that helps

05-December-05, 01:09 PM		#3 (permalink)
EstwingMan Da Hammer Man	You might find this interesting: http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/geom/...ilities-c.html

05-December-05, 02:06 PM		#5 (permalink)
Zer0s Apex Tech God	Heres a really short and easy way to remember it. Difference in Formating Normal Format: Like cutting your lawn with your lawnmower Low Level Format: Like scalping your lawn and reseeding.

06-December-05, 02:41 AM		#7 (permalink)
HigHTecHReDNecK Sophist'Hoe"cated ReDNecK Reviewer	Well, i did the LL format and the HDD seems fine thanks for all the info and help. I have however decided to not call it "low level format", i have here by renamed it "SLOW LEVEL FORMAT" , good god it took 5 hours to finish

06-December-05, 03:57 AM		#8 (permalink)
Jager Apex Tech Fanatic	well when you want it gone really gone, then send in the marines... er low level format. generally it is that long, because it wipes the data and overwrites the data with null values, so reviving things or finding usable chunks are not very easy. one of mine back in the day took 24 hours to do. but the drive is still kicking unless you killed that 8 gig i sent you

06-December-05, 04:49 AM		#9 (permalink)
ariesjj Apex Master Tech	Not only does a low level format completely wipe the data. It also clears and remarks sector markings (tick marks). The major companies typically suggest a LLF before proceeding with an RMA. Note LLF's should be used as a last resort HDD recovery tool according to WD, Seagate, and typical A+ teachings.