Need to low level a drive.

[kcbass]

Got a HDD that is having problems and I need to low level it. Where can I download a bootable low level program for free? 

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: kcbass
Got a HDD that is having problems and I need to low level it. Where can I download a bootable low level program for free? 

that wouldn't be that refurbed WD from justdeals.com..? anyway..go to bootdisk.com..gl

 

[kcbass]

unfortunately, it's not a WD... 

 

[Fern]

Originally posted by: kcbass
Got a HDD that is having problems and I need to low level it. Where can I download a bootable low level program for free? 

Have you tried the HDD manufacturer's website yet? Some offer these proggies free (ex. Maxblast 3 for Maxtor HD's). If you've got a Maxtor HDD laying around, just plug it into one the IDE channels. The proggie will work on any HDD, just need a Maxtor in there somewhere is all.

 

[kcbass]

It's a platinum drive. I guess it's pretty generic. 

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: kcbass
It's a platinum drive. I guess it's pretty generic. 

slave it to your rig and check it in either the bios or device mahager ..to id the actual manufacturer..

 

[kcbass]

It's a platinum 160G 8F7200  that's all the BIOS says

 

[oldfart]

Google for killdisk

 

[Bleep]

The advice above for the bootdisk .com has the utility for all hard drives on a bootable CD, it is your best friend in a situation like this. You cannot low level it anyway all you can do is write zeros to all the sectors and that brings it back to how it was when it was new.

Bleep

 

[kcbass]

I suppose that's what I meant then. I remember in high school we had a disk that we'd take to computers with squirley drives, and we called it low level because it was more thurough than a regular format. Anyway, killdisking the drive now. Sure hope this works. For winxp, do I need to fdisk before I format to ntfs and install windows? 

 

[kcbass]

Also, about how long will killdisk take on a 160 GB drive? We're under some weather advisories, and I do have the computer hooked up to a ups, but it's a weak one (15 minutes max). I don't want the computer losing power during this process. 

 

[Zepper]

Another option is the Hitachi/IBM Drive Fitness Test - DFT . One of the menu options is "Erase the drive" or similar.
..bh.

 

[Oscar1613]

dban