Recommend me a Low Level Format Tool

[kllees]

Hi guys,

My Samsung hard disk got some bad sector. I am thinking of low level formatting it and use it as a backup drive. Can recommend a free tool for it?

Thanks.

 

[ondooy]

you can use your bios to perform a low level format...

 

[kllees]

my bios dun have such function...

anyone?

 

[MoneyFace =p]

http://en.kioskea.net/download/download-127-hp-usb-disk-storage-format-tool

 

[localITguy]

you can use your bios to perform a low level format...

LOL?

 

[wwenze]

llf in bios, you still using 486 izzit?

Fast forward to 21st century, things like number of heads and sectors are no longer decided by bios. There is no more true llf per se, because only the drive manufacturer know how to format the drive and map out all the good and bad sectors and storage additional firmware on the disc. If you actually magnetically wipe out your drive, it's over.

The closest to llf that is doable now is zero fill. Which will get rid of logical bad sectors. But nothing will get rid of physical ones. In fact modern hdd can already have bad sectors when they leave factory but is mapped to the spare sectors so you don't see it. As bad sectors develop, more of the spare is used. When all the spare use up, then it shows up to the file system. But before it shows in the file system, SMART will give you warning already.

 

[MoneyFace =p]

you can use your bios to perform a low level format...

Can you use yours? Show us please thanks.

 

[davidktw]

llf in bios, you still using 486 izzit?

Fast forward to 21st century, things like number of heads and sectors are no longer decided by bios. There is no more true llf per se, because only the drive manufacturer know how to format the drive and map out all the good and bad sectors and storage additional firmware on the disc. If you actually magnetically wipe out your drive, it's over.

The closest to llf that is doable now is zero fill. Which will get rid of logical bad sectors. But nothing will get rid of physical ones. In fact modern hdd can already have bad sectors when they leave factory but is mapped to the spare sectors so you don't see it. As bad sectors develop, more of the spare is used. When all the spare use up, then it shows up to the file system. But before it shows in the file system, SMART will give you warning already.

Yes, this poster is right. Unless you have tools from the disk manufacturer, it will not be possible to perform any real low level manipulation to the modern disks today. You can go as low as read/write the various logical sectors of the hard disk, and doing so will allow the hard disk to rectify itself as accordingly, either a remap and declared failed sector in the SMART.