[aclug-L] Re: disk-management software .. Viruses?

[Jeff Vian <jvian10@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

David Carmichael wrote:
> Jeff -
> 
> WOW!
> 
> Would this mean that even the 'low level format' software from the drives
> manufacture could not reformat the drive correctly if the MBR was messed up?

the MBR is on sector 0. If it is screwed the drive usually is toast and
makes a nice paper weight.
The low level format software rewrites the entire drive in CHS format 
and may not work correctly unless the bios supports the native drive 
geometry (most do nowdays). Most manufacturers do not recommend redoing 
the low level formatting.
I have not tested all possible drive/bios/utility combinations so I 
cannot be sure of any specific combinations results.

I have never done a low level format on an IDE drive. The last time I 
used that successfully was with a seagate 32MB RLL drive -- when MFM and 
RLL were the standards for drive controllers. (I know, that tells my age 
and how long I have been working with computers -- LOL)

> 
> If it was not that the drive is now knocking like an old 8 cylinders car on
> bad gas....
> 

May be toast anyway if it is noisy.

> --David
> 



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