Easiest way to low level format a new hard drive?

[broadwayblue]

i just purchased an 80gb drive to use in my Replaytv. how do i low level format it without any partitions? i have windows 2000 pro and the maxblast software sucks. thanks!

 

[Bluga]

MaxPlusII.

 

[bozo1]

No need to low-level modern drives. Just boot off the W2K CD and delete whatever strange Replay partitions are on there and create what you want.

 

[broadwayblue]

<< MaxPlusII. >>



is that the same as maxblast plus?

 

[broadwayblue]

<< No need to low-level modern drives. Just boot off the W2K CD and delete whatever strange Replay partitions are on there and create what you want. >>



i want to low level format the new drive that will be replacing the current replay drive. i need to low level format the new drive without creating any partitions and then copy the image file to it from the original replay drive.

 

[bozo1]

Look in the "Utilities" section of Maxtors download area. There are format utilites for the different series. Get the one that matches what you have.

 

[broadwayblue]

for anyone who has done the replay hack i am using the max blast plus 2 software and i don't know what to set for the number of partitions. it says in the hack faq for replaytv that there should be no windows partitions but when i try and set the number of partitions to 0 it doesn't do anything. also, should i set the file format to fat32, fat16, or ntfs?

 

[Woody419]

Somehow I have a feeling you don't have a clue what you are doing, so this should help.

 

[broadwayblue]

<< Somehow I have a feeling you don't have a clue what you are doing, so this should help. >>



you are completely correct...but i've been to that site and it only tells you how to do the upgrade procedure once you have already low level formatted your drive. i can't even get that far! it also says to make sure you don't have any windows partitions on it, which i would assume a low level format would take care of...if i could ever find a way to low level format the darn drive. what a pain this has become.

 

[Jhhnn]

Use the Maxtor utility to write the drive to zeroes or ones- it's the modern equivalent of a low level format. Never use an old DOS low level format utility on a modern HDD. If it works, it'll destroy the drive.

 

[broadwayblue]

<< Use the Maxtor utility to write the drive to zeroes or ones- it's the modern equivalent of a low level format. Never use an old DOS low level format utility on a modern HDD. If it works, it'll destroy the drive. >>



thanks, i'm gonna try this

http://www.maxtor.com/products/DiamondMax/techsupport/TechnicalProcedures/20014.htm

 

[Woody419]

Maxtor's utility should do what you want. There is more formating info here. Check out the 5 links at the bottom of the page for reports and explanations by people who have done this.

 

[Bleep]

First of all you cannot have a drive with NO Partitions.