format question

[ablang]

If I used chkdsk to see if a HD has bad sectors, and it finds some, how can I format it such that the OS will not write to the bad sectors of the HD?

[Bill in SD, CA]

I believe a manufacturer's low level format will do that.

Bill

[Bill in SD, CA]

Here: http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/geom/...ilities-c.html

Bill

[jmichna]

Bill is right on target. Today's "low level format" HD tools (actually, they are 'smart' zero-write utilities) will mark out the bad sectors. After zero-writing, then partition and format as you desire.

[bailey]

bad sectors are like a cancer for hard drives, once they start comming it is signs the drive is on the way out, concider replaceing it in the near future.

[jmichna]

Originally posted by bailey
bad sectors are like a cancer for hard drives, once they start comming it is signs the drive is on the way out, concider replaceing it in the near future.

In my experience, I'd say "yes and no." I've had a couple drives that did progressively get worse and eventually fail, after going through zero write/repartition/reformat, BUT I've also had a couple drives that -- once repaired -- have provided additional years of trouble-free service.

I'd say, give it one shot with repair as suggested above (but do back up any important data that you put on that drive), and IF the bad sector problem re-appears, then get rid of the HD.

Hard drives are so inexpensive today, it really is a judgement call whether to go through the hassle of repairing. Last time this happned was my 10-year old's pc... so I did the zero-write thing, reinstalled her stuff, meanwhile ordered a second HD, ghosted all her original drive's contents to the new drive, do so regularly as a backup... now her original drive has been error free for several months (knocks wood...).