Poll: Quick or Normal format for NTFS when installing Windows XP

[geckojohn]

I usually do the normal one, even though it takes much longer. I'd rather spend the time now and format the drive correctly than doing the quick format.

 

[filmmaker]

Originally posted by: geckojohn
I usually do the normal one, even though it takes much longer. I'd rather spend the time now and format the drive correctly than doing the quick format.

Then why are you asking? 😉

 

[geckojohn]

Originally posted by: filmmaker

Originally posted by: geckojohn I usually do the normal one, even though it takes much longer. I'd rather spend the time now and format the drive correctly than doing the quick format.

Then why are you asking? 😉

I just wanna see what everyone else does tough guy.

 

[AlmostFunny]

yeah normal.

 

[kt]

Normal format is a waste of time. The only difference between the two is one erase the previous partition more thoroughly. If you don't care about that they are the same. If someone really wanted to retrieve your data before you format, they will find a way anyway. So, what's the point of wasting all that time with normal format?

 

[Ameesh]

if its a new drive then do a normal otherwise quick is a better option

 

[LordSnailz]

Originally posted by: Ameesh
if its a new drive then do a normal otherwise quick is a better option

ack! I actually do it the other way ... if it's a brand new drive I do quick and normal for a used drive. There's nothing to erase or get rid of if it's brand new drive right? Any particular reason why normal format on new drives?

 

[Amused]

Unless I'm mistaken (and I don't think I am because I read this on MS's site), the only difference between "Normal" and "Quick" format is "Normal" performs a full surface disk error scan (checking for bad sectors) and that's why it takes so much longer. I use full on new drives, or drives I'm not familier with.

 

[notfred]

This is funny, all these people voting and voicing thier opinions, and none of them actually know what the difference is.

I voted for "quick" because that's what I normally do. Why? Cause it's faster and seems to work. I have no idea what the actual difference between the two is.

 

[Goosemaster]

QUick:

Tells the MBA that the disk is empty

Norma: Actually formats/erases the whole drive


do whatver...

Normal might be nice if it marked bad sectors but I forgot if it does..prolly not

 

[edro]

I do a quicky.

 

[Amused]

<a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;302686">When you choose to run a regular format on a volume, files are removed from the volume you are formatting and the hard disk is then scanned for bad sectors. The scan for bad sectors is responsible for the majority of the time it takes to format a volume.

If you choose the Quick format option, format removes files from the partition, but does not scan the disk for bad sectors. This option should only be used if your hard disk has been previously formatted and you are sure that your hard disk is not damaged.

If you installed Windows on a partition that was formatted by using the Quick format option, you can also check your disk by using the chkdsk /r command after the installation of Windows has completed.</a>

The ONLY difference is "Normal" checks for bad sectors and "Quick" does not. BOTH remove all files.

Save "Normal" for new drives, and drives you are not familiar with. Otherwise you are just wasting your time.

 

[sharkeeper]

Normal format is a waste of time. The only difference between the two is one erase the previous partition more thoroughly. If you don't care about that they are the same. If someone really wanted to retrieve your data before you format, they will find a way anyway. So, what's the point of wasting all that time with normal format?

If you have a SCSI RAID controller there is no speed penalty when performing a standard format. 🙂

-DAK-

 

[Amused]

I guess I killed this thread 😛

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: Amused
I guess I killed this thread 😛

uhem...

<----

 

[xchangx]

Doesn't explain why if you do a reinstall and do a quick format, it creates a dual boot from the old install.

Not sure why... I always thought thatquick install just wipes out the MBR or FAT

 

[EeyoreX]

Doesn't explain why if you do a reinstall and do a quick format, it creates a dual boot from the old install

You sure you are doing a format at all? I just quick formatted last night (new motherboard, wanted a clean start) and my old install was gone. If you are getting a dual-boot option, then you are not formatting.

\Dan

 

[spyordie007]

Originally posted by: EeyoreX

Doesn't explain why if you do a reinstall and do a quick format, it creates a dual boot from the old install

You sure you are doing a format at all? I just quick formatted last night (new motherboard, wanted a clean start) and my old install was gone. If you are getting a dual-boot option, then you are not formatting.

\Dan

It worked correctly for you, but in Eeyore's defense I have seen it leave the old OS in the boot.ini after reinstalls before also. I dont know if it is quick format realted (it probably isnt) however I have seen this behavior happen in the past.

-Spy

 

[Twista]

quick