Low level format utility needed 1

[threedoves]

Can someone tell me of a good utility that will do a low level format on hard drives? Or is there a /switch that will do the same thing? I don't remember one... and I'm needing to do a low level format on an older drive that has a drive overlay. I can't delete the partition by fdisk no matter what I do, so the low level format was the suggested remedy.
Does anyone have a thought on this?
Thanks!!!
Kathy

 

[Jontmke]

Sure the Hard Drive manufactures have them. Maxtor for sure that I know. Western Digital also I think. Maxtor's is Maxblast I think.

Jon

There is much pleasure to be gained from useless knowledge. (Bertrand Russell)

 

[TekTippy4U]

Partitions must be deleted in the following order
Non-Dos
Logical Dos Drives in Extended
Extended Dos
Primary Active

Have you tried to type "Fdisk /MBR"(no quotes)...this should give you a new Master Boot Record...then try to delete partitions......Fdisk also requires correct HDD BIOS settings as far as size....

Don't know if this helps......
as been said the manu. should have LLF utility....
or you could use OnTrack Disk Manager($$$)
What brand HDD.....?

TT4U

Notification:
These are just "my" thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions....I try very hard to impart correct info at all times.

 

[threedoves]

Jontmke,
Thank you for the tip on where to get the low level format utility. Much easier to find than I thought! Isn't that usually the case??
lol

 

[threedoves]

TekTippy,
Thank you for the tip on /mbr...didn't realize it could make a difference in order to remove partitions! That's a tip I won't forget!
Can you tell me about OnTrack Disk Manager ... I'm not familiar with this. What does it do? And is it available for download somewhere?
Kathy

 

[TekTippy4U]

They sell a "Generic" HDD LLF...which contains all the "drive specific" codes.....of most major drives..
Each drive, by manu, and even sometimes model, has specific LLF code "unique" to that drive...

http://www.ontrack.co.uk/diskmanager/

Most OEM Restore CD's such as mine, have "my drive specific"..LLF included...it's called "Write all zeros to disk"...or "Zero fill"

TT4U

Notification:
These are just "my" thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions....I try very hard to impart correct info at all times.