how to mid-level format an ide hdd

[wxjunkie]

What's the easiest way to do a mid-level format on an ide hdd? I've got some trashed sectors and wanted to see if I could clear them up.

 

[wxjunkie]

bump

 

[Jmmsbnd007]

"Mid-level format"? If you have bad sectors, you can either repair them individually, or you can LLF the drive.

 

[wxjunkie]

mid-level = llf

 

[zippy]

Originally posted by: wxjunkie
mid-level = llf

low-level format = llf

Never heard of a mid-level format...does it write zeros to half of the bits? 😉

Jmmsbnd007 is correct.

I have found that going to your hard drive manufacturer's web site and looking around for some utilities will usually get you what you need.

Good luck.

 

[wxjunkie]

Low level formats are not the same as they used to be, therefore some call them mid-levels. They're the same thing.

 

[Jmmsbnd007]

Originally posted by: wxjunkie
Low level formats are not the same as they used to be, therefore some call them mid-levels. They're the same thing.

Really? I didn't know that. What were they like before they "changed"?

 

[zippy]

Originally posted by: Jmmsbnd007

Originally posted by: wxjunkie
Low level formats are not the same as they used to be, therefore some call them mid-levels. They're the same thing.

Really? I didn't know that. What were they like before they "changed"?

Yeah? What would the differences be? Seems kind of strange/interesting that 'they' would to change something as simple as writing zeros (LLF).

 

[amdskip]

I fixed a maxtor with bad sectors the other day. Stupid people are too irresponsible with files on their computers.

 

[MWink]

Yeah? What would the differences be? Seems kind of strange/interesting that 'they' would to change something as simple as writing zeros (LLF).

Yea there is a difference. A true low level format will wipe out the ENTIRE drive. If you did a REAL low level format to an IDE drive it would wipe out critical information the drive needs to work properly. The ones from the companies obviously don't delete that critical data from the drive. Though I still don't call them "mid-level" formats. 😕 BTW, I'm not 100% sure of this, it's just what I was told here.

 

[zippy]

Originally posted by: MWink

Yeah? What would the differences be? Seems kind of strange/interesting that 'they' would to change something as simple as writing zeros (LLF).

Yea there is a difference. A true low level format will wipe out the ENTIRE drive. If you did a REAL low level format to an IDE drive it would wipe out critical information the drive needs to work properly. The ones from the companies obviously don't delete that critical data from the drive. Though I still don't call them "mid-level" formats. 😕 BTW, I'm not 100% sure of this, it's just what I was told here.

Oh okay, that seems reasonable enough. Thanks.

 

[Jmmsbnd007]

Originally posted by: MWink

Yeah? What would the differences be? Seems kind of strange/interesting that 'they' would to change something as simple as writing zeros (LLF).

Yea there is a difference. A true low level format will wipe out the ENTIRE drive. If you did a REAL low level format to an IDE drive it would wipe out critical information the drive needs to work properly. The ones from the companies obviously don't delete that critical data from the drive. Though I still don't call them "mid-level" formats. 😕 BTW, I'm not 100% sure of this, it's just what I was told here.

Isn't the "critical information" on the EPROMs or at least backed up on there? Although this makes sense.