Is it possible to fix bad sectors on a harddrive?

[ddeder]

My cousin's computer had two HD's in it when it started having problems booting. I removed the smaller HD and reformatted the larger one and then reloaded the OS to it. The computer works fine now. I took the smaller HD, a Quantum Fireball ST and put it in another computer and formatted it. I then loaded DOS 6.22 to it and rebooted and ran scandisk. There are a number of bad clusters on the disk. As the disk is still under warranty, I called Gateway and told them that there are bad clusters on the disk and I would like it to be replaced. The guy at Gateway told me that the bad clusters could be fixed by software on the utility CD which came with the computer. I did not procede with further questioning as I had already told him that I had removed the HD from the computer. What do you guys think?

 

[stingbandel]

well you can do lower level format by wiping the bad sector but I think if it's still under warranty you better get a replacement. Usually once it has had a bad sector, the bad sector will be bigger and bigger so better do RMA right now.



Darno

 

[GregMal]

One of my older harddrives started to see bad clusters. I used the HD
utility disk and they were gone. It really doesn't fix the bad
clusters, it just tells the HD not to use them. It flags them....
Greg

 

[ddeder]

How exactly do you do a low level format? I thought format c: was the only type of format you can do.

 

[KGB]

Deder,

Greg is correct. The clusters don't get fixed, they are just no longer used.

LL format utilities are available from the HD manufacturers web site as a utility.

Keep in mind...my experience (others chime in if you disagree) is that once bad clusters start happening it begins to cascade from there. If you LL format a HD with bad clusters, more will show up.

In my opinion, stick to your guns with Gateway and RMA the drive.