Low Level Format

[Woody419]

I am just starting a low level format on a 20GB hdd. How long does this usually take on a drive this size? How long would it take on a Mac G3 266 selecting both the "Low level format" and "Zero all data" options? I get to work on a friends Mac this weekend, they are very interesting machines.

 

[Sukhoi]

I would think it would take a while since it has to go over every cluster on the drive.

 

[Woody419]

Seemed to take a couple of hours, and it failed to initialize anyway. I guess this G3 Mac doesn't like the Maxtor 20GB hdd that was on sale for $50 at Circuit City. Probably just return it. Brand new drive, fresh out of the box and the the loudest whinning hdd I have ever heard, very annoying, glad to get rid of it.

 

[Sukhoi]

Why did you have to do a low level format on a new drive?

And don't just return it, RMA it or something. If you killed the drive with a bad low level format, it's not going to work for anyone else either. I'd have to have CC just put it back on the shelf for someone else to buy.

 

[DN]

You don't need to low level format drives today.. That was something that had to be done in the past, but not with today's drives..

 

[Woody419]

<< You don't need to low level format drives today.. That was something that had to be done in the past, but not with today's drives.. >>


True, but this is for a Mac. The directions state that if the drive fails to initialize then check the low level format and write 0's over data check boxes and then initialize. It's a Mac thing.

Anyway, drive failed to work, too loud too, good-buy drive, were gonna return it and get our money back, we don't need no stinkin' RMA's.
I stuck in a new Maxtor 30BG 7200rpm and it is silent and working perfectly, and without messing with any low level format this time.

 

[Sukhoi]

Did you tell them the drive doesn't work? CC is just gonna stick it on the shelf again, and somebody is going to buy it and have a drive that doesn't work at all.

 

[Woody419]

<< and somebody is going to buy it and have a drive that doesn't work at all. >>


Hey, better them than me.

Actually with a opened anti-static bag I doubt they would put it back on the shelf. But then....you might have worked at CC and that is what happens to broken returns all the time, heck they might resell it a half a dozen times until they finally sell the item to someone who is too lazy to return it.

If you are really concerned you might end up with drive (live in Tucson, AZ?), I will check it out on my PC. I don't think I should have to RMA a brand new drive, CC should either replace the drive or refund the price, it's called customer service.

 

[JmanSanDiego]

I pretty much agree with you, it is really CC's responsibility to NOT sell returned drives, as long as you stated that it was broken upon returning it so they were aware that the drive is not working....

Jon

 

[DN]

<<

<< You don't need to low level format drives today.. That was something that had to be done in the past, but not with today's drives.. >>


True, but this is for a Mac. The directions state that if the drive fails to initialize then check the low level format and write 0's over data check boxes and then initialize. It's a Mac thing.

Anyway, drive failed to work, too loud too, good-buy drive, were gonna return it and get our money back, we don't need no stinkin' RMA's.
I stuck in a new Maxtor 30BG 7200rpm and it is silent and working perfectly, and without messing with any low level format this time. >>



Whether it's for a Mac or not -- low level formats don't need to be done.. And if they "need" to be, it's a defective drive, just return it..