The formatting options work as follows:
Format first scans the disk (if it has no defective track table) for defective (bad) tracks and lets you decide which tracks to mark as bad. Then the program formats the disk and marks the bad tracks so they are never used to store data.
D e s t r u c t i v e s u r f a c e a n a l y s i s t e s t s t h e entire disk for read/write errors or unflagged bad tracks and updates the defective track table. Because this option writes and reads data on the disk, it destroys all data on any track that produces an error. You cannot run the Destructive surface analysis on a disk that has never been formatted.
the disk for unflagged bad tracks without destroying data. You cannot run the
The type of format you choose depends on whether you are reformatting a disk that has been used or formatting a new disk for the first time. See the recommendations below.
Reformatting a Used Disk
If you are reformatting a disk you have been using that appears to be damaged, follow these steps:
1.Use the
2.If errors occur during the
3.Run the Destructive surface analysis.
Physically Formatting a Hard Disk |