what happens when you low level a hard drive?is it
totally erased?like fdisk?is the drive usable once it's "leveled"?
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what happens when you low level a hard drive?is it
totally erased?like fdisk?is the drive usable once it's "leveled"?
First of all you should be aware that Low Level Format deletes everything on the hard drive. Master Boot Record (MBR), partitions, data, even a possible virus. Then it's almost not possible to recover the lost files.
In order to perform a Low Level Format, you need a LLF utility (I have some on my Geocities Briefcase. Just ask me if you need the link). You should also set the HDD in Normal mode under BIOS.
And yes. You can still use the drive provided that you set it back to LBA mode under BIOS, Fdisk and format it.
As George has stated a Low Level Format will place the drive in to the same state as it was when it left the factory, i.e. completely blank & virtually irrecoverable.
If you do need a Low Level utility , the QDI LLF is probably amongst the best and a very small download. You can get it from <a href="http://www.qdigrp.com/qdisite/driver/LF.EXE" target="_blank">HERE</a>
is there a difference between vendor supplied low level format utility and hard drive manufacturer's?which is better?
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by blink:
<strong>is there a difference between vendor supplied low level format utility and hard drive manufacturer's?which is better?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">They are all based really on a Debug command that low levels the drive for you.
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by blink:
<strong>what happens when you low level a hard drive?is it totally erased?like fdisk?is the drive usable once it's "leveled"?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">All depends on using which method it's going to be done...
First of all do not format the hard drive from BIOS (some of an old motherboard still have that option)! Although it works for some types of drives, for some drives can erase drive's servoinfo located at first few cylinders and thus, that drive can become unusable. Fortunately, modern drives are simply ignoring that BIOS format command. :)
You didn't say,though, what exactly problem are You going to solve using LLF... :rolleyes:
If You want to get rid from bad sectors, I have posted here at Windrivers quite a few replies regarding that problem (I specialize in HDD repairs/data recovery). Read some of my replies <a href="http://forums.windrivers.com/cgi-bin/forum3/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=3;t=001019" target="_blank">here:</a>
Which method should You choose - depends also on what exactly the hard drive model/size is.
Of course, safest way to do LLF is using utility from manufacturer, but unfortunately far not always those utilites can solve the problem You want to solve. Quite often they are only reporting about problem present and offering to contact with manufacturer's tech support. :)
Beware also, what now LLF is in fact only zero-filling utility (some of them have also bad sector remapping capabilities,though).
LLF used to be actually LLF only for outdated now MFM harddrives... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />
hi the drive comes up "can't write to c:drive"
ran norton's diag and win doc.repaired the errors.ran norotn disk doc and speed disk.this also fixed bad sectors,clusters.re-tried using h.d
but the same error came up.
thanks for the reply
Yeah,it were physical bad sectors on drive's surface...
But what exactly drive's model?
the drive is a western digital 10gig.it's about 2yrs.old.also the drive has had some run-ins with
some virus.
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by blink:
<strong>the drive is a western digital 10gig.it's about 2yrs.old.also the drive has had some run-ins with
some virus.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">if it passes their diag utility, then I'd say give the low level a crack -- but be warned, it takes forever
okay this hard drive does not have a fat patition.i know this part of the problem;if not the problem.is possible to restore the fat partion
without fdisk--format.i noticed a topic in this
forum which pointed me to a dl of "get data back".has anyone used this?it's at <a href="http://www.runtime.org" target="_blank">download</a>
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by blink:
<strong>okay this hard drive does not have a fat patition.i know this part of the problem;if not the problem.is possible to restore the fat partion
without fdisk--format.i noticed a topic in this
forum which pointed me to a dl of "get data back".has anyone used this?it's at <a href="http://www.runtime.org" target="_blank">download</a></strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Yes, I have used it on several occasions to recover data on a completely erased drive. Note: In order to use this app you do need to have Windows running on a separate HD with room to hold all the recovered data from the erased drive. It does not just look at the drive and turn everything back on. Once you've recovered everything, then you can re-partition and format the drive, install Windows, and then transfer everything back from the 'recover' drive.
You may be out of luck, but the LLF is your last chance. Most of the time when you get the errors you are getting, the drive needs to be replaced. Is it a SCSI or IDE drive? You should still be able to RMA the drive if it is SCSI. IDE's typically only have a 1 year warranty where SCSI's are good for 3 years.
just a quick thank you to Sowulo for the link to
"get data back" @runtime .com it worked like a charm.
Hi,
I recommend using KillDisk software to erase your drive. It completely erases all data on HDD, so it can not be restored. You can then re-partition and re-format your drive and start using it from scratch. KillDisk also posses some highly secure erase algorithms like Guttman's. Head to www.killdisk.com for more info and download issues.
Hi Brona, welcome to WinDrivers. Three years ago, blink actually wanted to recover his drive, but by now I guess it could need erasing. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Brona
Are you involved with the development of KillDisk? You seem to be making a bit of a point of resurrecting old threads lately to promote it... :D