what is a 'low-level format', and how do I do it?

[theonlymantis]

Hello,
I have a problem... Norton keeps telling me that I damaged a partition (or partitions) on drive C. It says only a low-level format can fix this problem. What is a low-level format, and how do I do it? Will it destroy everything, like a regular format? I am running Windows 98 second edition. I should note that I just partitioned my hard drive to install Linux (successfully, but it took a week) on another partition. The comp seems to work fine, but it says "If you cannot access these partitions only a low-level format can fix these problems" (or something very close).

Should I reformat? Will I need to reinstall everything? And second of all, if I do reinstall, should I go with windows 2k instead of 98? I have access to it, just wondering if I should bother.

Thanks alot, I appreciate your help!!

Goldie

 

[Ladi]

Yes, a low-level format will destroy all data.

If Linux is installed on the partition that Norton is complaining about and Win98se is running fine, there is no reason for a low-level format. Linux uses a filesystem that Windows cannot read, which is probably why it is saying that that partition is damaged.

The comp seems to work fine

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

~Ladi

 

[theonlymantis]

Thanks, I did not even think about which partition it was complaining about. That is probably the issue.

I will leave it alone. Thanks for the help!

Goldie