Format drive. Quick or looooong?

[pappy1]

What is the best way to format a drive?
Quick or the longer way?
Quick uses the default settings.
Using the longer way you can choose allocation unit size
What do you suggest?

 

[DarkManX4lf]

I think quick and full (long) format are almost the same. The only difference with full format is that it will scan all sectors of the hard drive.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

quick for me all the time, unless i'm selling the drive

 

[semo]

what DarkManX4lf said. quick format just rewrites the file system. the long format is a quick format + chkdsk.

just do "quick" format and use the drive's own testing utility if you're worried about its condition

 

[Blain]

I use the long formatting method if I'm loading onto a used HD or one that's in doubt.
If I'm reloading onto one of my known good HDs, I usually opt for the quick method.

 

[taltamir]

when selling the drive or when you just got a drive for the first time, full format.
most of the time quick format... but whenever you have the time and patience to do a full format...

note that its only with vista and win7... winxp did not write 0s on a full format.

 

[tcsenter]

XP = long does a media scan for bad sectors

Vista and 7 = long wipes the drive by writing zeros

Zero-fill seems superfluous on a brand new blank hard drive, but a good media scan is always appropriate. So on Vista or 7, I do quick format on a new hard drive then use chkdsk /r later after the OS is installed (usually just before I go to bed or plan to be away from the computer for at least a few hours).

 

[taltamir]

zero fill is not superflous on a new drive, because it will find bad sectors and mark them as such.

 

[C1]

I would agree. If it is a drive that you bought from someone (like I just bought a 300GB Maxline II off eBay), you should do a long format. Otherwise, unless there was some unusual problem with the disk that required a wipe, quick format is fine.

 

[pappy1]

Sorry I am slow getting back on here.
Thanks for the info!
From now on when I buy a new drive I will do the quick format.
When I give a drive or get a drive from someone I will do the long format!
Thanks

 

[Modelworks]

zero fill is not superflous on a new drive, because it will find bad sectors and mark them as such.

The one the manufacturer does before the drive is boxed is good enough.