According to the function of formatting, it can be divided into two types: low-level formatting and high-level formatting. However, since low-level formatting is a last resort operation and causes great damage to the hard disk itself, in most cases we It will not be used, but if the hard disk must be subjected to a low-level format operation, how to do it?
Why low-level formatting?
First we need to understand what low-level formatting is. Low-level formatting is to divide a blank disk into cylinders and tracks, and then divide the tracks into several sectors. Each sector is divided into identification part ID, gap area GAP, data area DATA, etc. Before the hard disk leaves the factory, engineers perform a low-level format on the hard disk. When the hard disk has certain types of bad sectors, using low-level formatting can play a certain role in mitigating or shielding it.
What are the effects of low-level formatting?
It should be pointed out that under the previous level of disk reading technology, low-level formatting was a lossy operation, which had a certain negative impact on the life of the hard disk. Low-level formatting of hard drives produced in the past year or two has much less impact because it is not a physical operation. Therefore, many hard disk manufacturers recommend that users should not resort to this trick unless absolutely necessary. When the hard disk is affected by external strong magnets or strong magnetic fields, or due to long-term use, the sector format magnetic recording part divided by low-level formatting on the hard disk is lost, resulting in a large number of "bad sectors", you can use low-level formatting to re-divide "sectors". But the premise is that the hard disk platters are not physically scratched.
How to perform low-level formatting
Currently, you can use tools to low-level format your hard drive. For example, the lformat.com program for low-format hard drives and DM tools are very good, and there are also easier-to-use ones that can be used directly under XP systems. If there are no tools, you need to operate directly in COMS. The specific process is as follows: Enter CMOS Setup according to the system prompts when booting (if it is a BIOS such as Award, you will be prompted to press DEL to enter CMOS Setup. If it is an Intel motherboard, you usually press F2 to enter CMOS Setup), and then select low formatted in the CMOS menu. Select HardDisk Drive, then follow the program prompts to low-level format the hard drive, and answer some program questions to perform low-level formatting of the hard drive.
Friends who want to perform low-level formatting should note that since it has been formatted, it will be more difficult to restore the contents inside. Therefore, you should be cautious when using it. It is also recommended that you try not to use this until the last moment. method. Finally, I would like to remind everyone that low-level formatting has a certain negative impact on the life of the hard disk, so please use it with caution.
The above is how to low-level format a hard drive. I hope it can help everyone.
