Low level format program

[Mike3d]

Hi i need a low level format program that will work mwithin windows so i can format the slave drives. i got the maxtor one but that seemed a bit confusing and the abit one gives me a divde overflow error.

cheers mike

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1ghz athlon thunderbird 383mb ram 10gb hdd(dont laugh getting 30gb soon)+ 6.4gb 8x4x32 samsung writer voodoo3 2000 agp.
icq 82991416

[DrMDJ]

You don't say what you're trying to do here, other than do a LLF, but...

Modern/newer drives cannot be (and should not be) post-factory low-level formatted in the true, older sense of the term. The low level format utilities you often see around, and supplied by the vendors, don't really do a low level format such as was done with drives in "the good old days". What they do do is essentially just clear the disk.

With IDE/ATA drives if a low-level format is to be done (ignoring what type is meant), it should always be done at the DOS level. Doing it while Windows where disk/controller drivers are loaded and in use is not desireable (in some cases not possible). Some system bioses offer a low level formatting option/provision. This should never be used (certainly not on any newer hard drive). LLF programs can be and are specific to the makes and models of drives. Therefore, the appropriate LLF utility should be obtained from the maker of the hard drive.

I know this didn't give you the info you wanted, but... What is it you're trying to do?

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[This message has been edited by DrMDJ (edited 09-11-2001).]

[Mike3d]

hi drmdj cheers for the reply

i have a hard disk in the shop where i work with bad sectors that are increasing for no reaseon i looked on the seagate website and they said low level format the hard disk and this can cure it.

it is a old 3.2gb hdd

Many thanx mike

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1ghz athlon thunderbird 383mb ram 10gb hdd(dont laugh getting 30gb soon)+ 6.4gb 8x4x32 samsung writer voodoo3 2000 agp.
icq 82991416

[DrMDJ]

Based on the size you say the disk is (which tells something about the disk) it surely is a disk that will not be "truely" low level formatted. Nonetheless, using the appropriate LLF utility will indeed scour it for potentially bad clusters. But I would only use a utility from Seagate, and only the one designated for that drive (model).

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[kallikru]

Increasing numbers of bad sectors are sometimes a sign that the drive's just about had it, due to physical wear and tear. A low level format may give your drive some extra life (it certainly will detect the bad sectors and mark them as unusable) but don't expect miracles. Use scandisk w/surface scan regularly and cross your fingers.

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Karl, Denmark
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"..and may The Force be with you - too..."

[Jubal]

SpinRite by Gibson Research is supposed to be able to restore any sectors that are restorable. If it cannot restore most of them it is time for a new hard drive.

[MiseryQ]

I had been looking for one for awhile...

Finally bought a cheap Samsung drive, and after playing with Linux for a couple of weeks needed it for this drive too...

Anyway, look on Samsungs site... Clearhdd works on other makes drive too... Just did the Samsung and Fujitsu... Both now work again...

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[Robert M]

How do you know you have increasing bad sectors? What is the wording of the errors you receive? What does chkdsk report? Is this an IDE type drive or SCSI drive? Can you post the article you saw on LOW LEVEL formatting?