Bob McGowan wrote:
> In any case, see below...
>
>> Low-level used to need to be done for some reasons, such as to adjust
>> the sector interleave, or to switch the drive to a different physical
>> orientation (required with stepper motor head positioning). It is no
>> longer required to do it more than once, and it is always done at the
>> factory.
>
> I am not aware of any other kind of formatting, either. So, some
> excerpts from the Readme.txt file that came with the "PowerMax" utility
> I downloaded in November of 2005.
I stand corrected. Of course, I was informing everyone of something
which I have read multiple times, in various places. I am not a hard
drive designer, or other kind of expert of that sort. I believe it to
be current fact, but I have no first-hand knowledge of it.
>
> Begin quoted text excerpts:
>
> Subject: Using Maxtor's Power Diagnostic (POWERMAX.EXE) Utilities
> (PowerMax v 4.XXX)
>
> ...
>
> 6. The best test for a drive with intermittent problems is a 'low
> level' format routine. !! Warning !! This test will erase all
> your data, but the drive will be restored to a 'factory
> re-certified' condition. Be sure to make a full backup of all
> critical data before proceeding. If your computer has more than
> one hard drive, be sure to choose the correct drive. If a drive
> fails this test, it usually indicates a drive failure.
>
> ...
It does say "'low level' format". I recall seeing this before, now that
it is brought to my attention. I had a Maxtor drive that failed, and
ran the same utility. It was under warranty, and was replaced...
>
> Overview of tests using POWERMAX.EXE:
>
> PowerMax is a keyboard menu driven diagnostic. Choices and options are
> displayed at the bottom of the screen. Further instructions are
> displayed at the bottom of the popup window display when a test
completes.
>
> Available Tests:
>
> 1. Installation Confirmation
> 2. Basic Quick (90 Second) Test
> 3. Advanced Test (Full Scan Test)
> 4. Burn In Test
> 5. Low Level Format (Quick)
> 6. Low Level format (Full)
> ...
>
> Low Level Format, Quick or Full Test:
>
> !! Warning!! These tests are data destructive, all user information on
> the hard drive is removed. Maxtor recommends you backup all critical
> data and remove other hard drives before performing this test. Perform
> this test only if all other tests have passed (or by direction of Maxtor
> Technical Support) but the hard drive is still not performing correctly.
> The quick option is most useful for removing a computer virus, or you
> are rebuilding the information on your hard drive, and you need a quick
> erase of the operating system without taking the time involved to
> perform a full LLF. The quick LLF overwrites a pattern of zeros to the
> first 300 megabytes, and the last 100 megabytes of the drive. The full
> LLF overwrites a pattern of zeros to all sectors on the drive. High
> capacity hard drives take longer to complete. Allow sufficient time to
> complete the test. Several hours to overnight may be needed. A full
> Low Level Format remains the most effective test for a drive with
> intermittent problems.
>
> End quotation section.
I wonder just what the test is really doing, if all IDE drives since the
early '90s are not capable of low level formatting, as I have been led
to believe?
>
> I was quoting, from memory, this information. I do admit to
> generalizing it to include other makes of drives, which it appears was
> an invalid generalization, based on your information.
>
Well, as I said, I do not have first-hand experience with it. I have
read many times that low-level formatting is done by special equipment
at the factory. I suppose I should do some Googling, and read some more
on the subject, to be properly informed.
Thanks for reminding me about the Maxtor disk checker utility.
--
Mark Allums
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