The first two options format a hard disk. Normally you use option 1, Conditional format (Normal). This option automatically locates any bad tracks that are Pug& by the manufacturer and marks them so that they are never used. Option 2, Unconditional format, requires you to enter the list of bad tracks.
The other two options test a hard disk for problems. Use option 3, Destructive surface analysis, to test the entire disk and update the bad track table. Because this option writes data to the disk as well as reads it, all data on any track that produces an error is destroyed. To check for unflagged bad tracks without destroying data, use option 4,
Many hard disk drives are supplied with a list of bad tracks, but without the bad tracks flagged on the disk. Other hard disks are supplied with the bad tracks already flagged. In all cases, run
If the analysis shows that all the tracks listed as bad are already flagged, you can then use the Conditional format (Normal) option to format the disk. If the analysis matches the list of bad tracks, but they are not flagged, run the Destructive surface analysis (to flag the tracks) before formatting the disk. If the list provided by the drive manufacturer contains bad tracks that the analysis does not detect, you can use the Unconditional format option to flag all the bad tracks manually.
When you select an option from the HARD DISK FORMAT MENU, the program determines the number of hard disk drives installed in your computer. If you have more than one drive, then each time you select a test you see this prompt:
Enter drive letter (C/D)?Press C or D, and then press Enter.
If you have only one hard disk drive, the option you select starts immediately.