[SoNgOkO]

I need to format my HDD at low LVL thingy what do i need to know to set the sistem back up after format.


THANX

[Avatar28]

Um, you don't really. IDE hard drives are low level formatted at the factory. You can high level format with the format command, and you can repartition it by using FDISK or a debug script. But you can't really low-level format it. Why are you needing to anyways?

[ThePerfectCore]

Well, actually, you *can* low-level format, but it's usually a last-ditch effort to fix any HD problems. Why are you needing to low-level format anyway?

Usually your HD manufacturer will have the program you need to low-level format available for download at their website.

[SoNgOkO]

I need to do a low lvl format because of some HDD problems. My hdd has become wery slow. When u run a prog like irc it just loads and loads, it even frezees 4 some time. I need about 50% more time to run a prog or game. I downloaded a prog from IBM called drive fitness test and when i run the test a red box appears and says.

Failure code 0x70 - Defective device
TRC 70000024

[UnseenMenace]

ThePerfectCore is correct in that you can low level format a drive using software such as segate seatools and segate disk wizard

[nikhsub1]

Originally posted by SoNgOkO
I need to do a low lvl format because of some HDD problems. My hdd has become wery slow. When u run a prog like irc it just loads and loads, it even frezees 4 some time. I need about 50% more time to run a prog or game. I downloaded a prog from IBM called drive fitness test and when i run the test a red box appears and says.

Failure code 0x70 - Defective device
TRC 70000024

I HATE IBM!! I went through this so I know what RMA will tell you. Your error, 0X70 is a sofware error, or so IBM will tell you. Use the Drive Fitness Test and do a low level format, when that is done, re-run the DFT and see if you still get an error. Have you called IBM about an RMA? Just so you know, you have to send your drive in, if they authorize it, and then you will wait at least a month for a new drive. The kicker is, if you don't package your DEAD drive to their specifications, your warranty is VOID so follow their instructions! The good thing is you will most likely get a 120 GXP. Here is their number: 1-888-426-5214

[Avatar28]

Originally posted by SoNgOkO
I need to do a low lvl format because of some HDD problems. My hdd has become wery slow. When u run a prog like irc it just loads and loads, it even frezees 4 some time. I need about 50% more time to run a prog or game. I downloaded a prog from IBM called drive fitness test and when i run the test a red box appears and says.

Failure code 0x70 - Defective device
TRC 70000024

9 times out of 10 when I encounter something like this doing support at work, it's a defective drive. Still, you're going to have to jump through whatever hoops IBM lays out to get your drive replaced. I'd say that chances are, though, that your drive is dead.

[SoNgOkO]

Hy

I have called IBM at my country ( SLOVENIA ) and they said that they dont RMA OEM disks and my is an OEM.

When i do the low lvl format what do i need to do to install all software back. Is this the same procedure like the normal format???

BTW: someone said that i will void the warranty if i do a low lvl format!!! is that thrue???


Thanx

[Über~PhLuBB]

Woah now! Before you go and do a low level format, have you even tried defragging yet? That ought to be the VERY FIRST thing you do.

How many hard drives do you have? How many CD-ROMs do you have? Are you mixing CD-ROMs and HDD's on the same IDE channel? Do you have master/slave set properly on your drive(s)?

Make sure you try to weed out smaller things before you start with the big stuff. =)

[SoNgOkO]

Yap i tried defraging. It did not help. I even did a normal format but did not help. After the format i run the Drive Fitness Test it gave me the same error.

Failure code 0x70 - Defective device
TRC 70000024

I have 1 HDD and 2 cd-roms i think the HDD is on 1 IDE cable and the 2 cd-roms are on 1 cable.

I think that the cables arent the prob. Because it worked OK till a few days ago.

The prob started a few weeks later when i put in an big fan into my case ( 220V 50-60Hz u have to plug it right into the wall. ) i put the fan in and wired it directly to the PSU can be the prob the fan and its electro-magnetic radiation??? Or i am a bit paranoid
The fan is about 10 cm under the HDD and the floppy is beetwen

Thanx

[Tr0LL]

i usually low level format before i sell a hdd.... isn't it harder to retrieve files from a low low lever formatted drive (although still possible i hear)

[SoNgOkO]

Any more opinions and advices????

[ThePerfectCore]

If a low-level format does not fix it, I'd get myself a new drive.

[SoNgOkO]

Can i do a low lvl format with the prog Drive Fitness Test from IBM??? And if yes, what more does the low lvl format do that a normal one?? Is the procedure to get the OS back on the same as at the normal format??? Do i need to install any other stuff after the low lv format???

Thanx

[Jared555]

I am not sure. is write zeros to hard drive the same as a low level format?

[FTC]

songoko, Jared555,

Yes, you can 'low level format' with the DFT tool... but this will *just* rewrite zeroes to everything (and set apart defective sectors found)... except disk servo positioning information areas.. this are written only once during manufacturing ... (it is my understanding this is always the same with all *brands* of modern drives).

Regards
FTC

[SoNgOkO]

Ok thanx, but what do i need to do after the format, do i need to instal any specific software like BIOS, or is the procedure the same like at a normal format???? Do i need only to format and put the WinXP CD in????

Tahnx

[FTC]

Songoko,

I have not done that before... just read it in the dft documentation. It is my understanding however, that doing the 'low level format' or 'disk zeroing' will leave the disk as new, that is, not yet FDISKED (i.e no partitions created), so yes, you can proceed to install the operating system, but you will have to choose 'create primary partition' whenever asked for.

Regards
FTC

[SoNgOkO]

Ok thanx.

But i need some more info from any1 that done this before. I really dont want to screw up anything. Can i do a low lv format and then just insert the WinXP CD in or do i need to do anything more?? I need to knwo the whole procedure.

Thanx

[scoobydoo]

You should be able to do the LLF and then boot from the WinXP CD.

You may need to go into the bios and make your CDROM drive the first boot device.

When WinXP setup loads it will give you options to partition and format the disk just like it was a brand new drive