Format Options

Joined
Nov 19, 2003
Messages
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I have a 200gig hard drive that I am currently formatting in windows for storage use. I selected the regular/long format method instead of quick format. Whats the difference between the quick format and regular format for the hard drives? Also, after the regular format is done do I still need to run check disk to make sure it has no errors before I start putting my pr0n collection on it, or does it do that as it formats the hard drive?
 
I've never done a long format on a disk, not since I ran MS-DOS back in the day. Did a quick format on my two Hitachi 1TB drives and immediately started putting data on them and haven't had a problem with either (owned 1 of em for about a 8 months). I think that long formats are unnecessary, if I'm not mistaken, because the manufacturers do long formats when they make the drives nowadays. Maybe someone else can enlighten us more.
 
Long formats run a scan on the drive to check for bad sectors.

If you are reasonably certain the drive is healthy then run a quick format. Most of the time you will be just fine.

I usually run a long format if I am not in a hurry.

Don
 
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