Long Format vs Quick Format

[ohnnyj]

What is the difference between the two? After I have done a long format on a 400GB Seagate I don't want to have to do it again everytime I reinstall it just takes too long.

- John -

[k1pp3r]

i believe quick reformats only reset the sector flags, where as a long or complete format overwrites all the data on the drive

[mcravenufo]

I believe a complete format checks for bad sectors, so use Quick format if you are sure your hard drive does not have bad sectors.

[[MS]]

I believe a complete format checks for bad sectors, so use Quick format if you are sure your hard drive does not have bad sectors.

Yup (http://support.microsoft.com/?scid=http://support.microsoft.com%2Fdirectory%2Fworldwide%2Fen-gb%2Fdefault.aspx%3Fscid%3Dkb%3Ben-gb%3B302686%26amp%3Bln%3Den-gb).