Low Level Formatting a WD 40gb

[Comp625]

My 40gb Western Digital is really fubar. I'd really like to low level format it but I can't find the right tools for it. Upon going to the Western Digital site, they have their Data Lifeguard Tools suite available for download. I assume that they would have a Low Level Format utility in that suite. Unfortunately, the caption for the download says the following:



<< This software does not work in Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows NT. It only works in Windows 95, Windows 98, and Windows ME. We will release a new version in the future that will work in Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows NT. >>



I use WinXP and now I am lost. Please help!

 

[bozo1]

It's just the install program that doesn't work. Just download the individual utility you want (listed below the lifeguard tools) and put them on a bootable DOS floppy. Boot off the floppy and run the program from there.

 

[bozo1]

Geared is correct however, even drive manufacturers have changed their terminology and refer to their program that simply zero's out the drive as doing a 'low-level format'.

Just like modem manufacturers years ago gave into people confusing baud with bps and some started using the terms interchangably.

A shame really.

 

[RalfHutter]

I've used Maxtors' "Powermax" HDD utility to "LLF" all different brands of HDDs. Get it here. Read the text notes on that page. What you need to use is called "Write Disk Pack (low level format)". As per the instructions on the page, you will have to boot using a regular Win98 boot disk to run this. Follow the directions and you'll be OK.