How to do a low level format??

thilina · 16-12-2006, 05:38 PM

How can I do a low level format to my hard disk??

wizrulz · 16-12-2006, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thilina

How can I do a low level format to my hard disk??

Low-level formatting is the process of outlining the positions of the tracks and sectors on the hard disk, and writing the control structures that define where the tracks and sectors are.

You should never attempt to do a low-level format on an IDE/ATA or SCSI hard disk.

Do not try to use BIOS-based low-level formatting tools on these newer drives. It's unlikely that you will damage anything if you try to do this, but at best you will be wasting your time. A modern disk can usually be restored to "like-new" condition by using a zero-fill utility.

Only use a low-level zero-fill or diagnostic utility designed for your particular hard disk. You can download one for free from your drive manufacturer's web site.

Which hard disk u have???

shantanu · 16-12-2006, 07:49 PM

ZERO FILL YOUR DRIVE IN MAINTENENCE OPTION (LOW LEVEL FORMAT)

seagate:
http://www.seagate.com/support/disc/...s/discwiz.html

go for the starter edition and select cd image and download (burn it to a cd and then boot from it

samsung DM:all in one
http://www.samsung.com/Products/Hard...ties/index.htm

thilina · 16-12-2006, 09:18 PM

Can i do a low level format from these??

codename_romeo · 16-12-2006, 09:20 PM

I think this is meant to help u do a LOW LEVEL FORMAT.

thilina · 16-12-2006, 09:20 PM

That seeagate link is not working

codename_romeo · 16-12-2006, 09:23 PM

Try this:

http://www.seagate.com/support/disc/...s/discwiz.html

thilina · 16-12-2006, 09:25 PM

Both links arent working,gives me a page not foun error

codename_romeo · 16-12-2006, 09:26 PM

What does "low level formatting" an ATA (IDE) drive mean?

Actually the term "low level" is a bit of a misnomer. The low level process first used years ago in MFM hard drives bears little resemblance to what we now call a "low level format" for today's ATA (IDE) drives. The only safe method of initializing all the data on a Seagate device is the Zero Fill option in DiscWizard Starter Edition.

Why would I want to Zero Fill my drive?

The most common reasons to Zero Fill an ATA (IDE) hard drive are:

1. The drive has contracted a virus that cannot be removed without destroying the boot sector.

2. You are changing from one operating system to another and wish to remove everything from the drive.

How do I low Zero Fill my drive?

Caution!

* Zero Filling an ATA (IDE) drive destroys 100% of the data on the drive. Make sure the drive is completely backed up before proceeding.

* The Zero Fill option in DiscWizard Starter Edition is the only safe method for use with Seagate hard drives. Some system BIOSs may include a Low Level Format option; use these at your own risk, as this may produce undesirable results.

DiscWizard Starter Edition can be downloaded as a part of the DiscWizard package. It includes two Zero Fill options, partitioning options, and high-level formatting options. Zero Fill writes zeros in each data sector up to the complete capacity of the drive and will clean up some file system defects.

The download routine for DiscWizard Starter Edition creates a bootable diskette. Boot from the diskette to start DiscWizard Starter Edition. After startup, select Utilities | Zero Fill Drive (Quick) or Zero Fill Drive (Full). Select the drive you want to erase, then select Zero Fill or Low Level.

Zero Fill Drive (Quick) will write over the beginning of the drive which includes the critical partition information, eliminating all partitions and information on the drive including the Master boot record. This is useful if you have a drive that has a corrupted partition or that you wish to erase to reinstall a fresh operating system and new data.

Zero Fill Drive (Full) will write over the entire data area of the drive. This is useful if a drive has bad sectors that cannot be fixed by the operating system. This will also erase all the data on the drive, but it will take several hours.

When the process completes, reboot the system from the operating system install CD and follow the instructions to prepare (partition and format) the drive and install the operating system.

Courtsey : Seagate website.....