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I am looking for a bootable low level format tool, specifically for an old maxtor HDD (ATA). I remember that long time ago I repaired a disk with such a tool, but now, googling i only find Windows based formatting tools.
Thx in advance!
Bootable Low Level Format Tool
Answers
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I use this particular liveCD all the time at work.
It provides several diagnostic tools that would certainly be of help. It also has a Low Level Formatting Tool that would work for what you are trying to accomplish.
I hope it works for you!
UBCD
Afrika
Posted 2011-04-29T23:39:18.997
Reputation: 21
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Sometimes the BIOS has a low level formatting tool built in. Have you tried having a look at this? Did you just want to format it or did you want to install something afterards, as some windows version can create startup disks that have basic DOS capabilities that you can use to format the drive as well.
GrimR7529
Posted 2011-04-29T23:39:18.997
Reputation: 101
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Gparted is a formatting tool that is available in a "live", bootable form. Take a look at their web site.
Keith
Posted 2011-04-29T23:39:18.997
Reputation: 7 263
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There's a chap who goes by the handle Tmod who has a really useful Utilities Disk that I've been using for years. It boots into a DOS-type environment. I use it quite often to do zeroing out of HDDs.
After that I'd use the GParted Live CD to do the formatting.
boehj
Posted 2011-04-29T23:39:18.997
Reputation: 1 042
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For securely wiping the harddrive,
EricR
Posted 2011-04-29T23:39:18.997
Reputation: 453
Do you have access to a windows machine to burn a CD with the rescue tool? If so, the MaxBlast tool at http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?locale=en-US&name=3.4.0.1.1&vgnextoid=3b17fbbad0f89210VgnVCM1000001a48090aRCRD will probably do what you need.
– Andy – 2011-04-30T00:25:32.423http://superuser.com/questions/277394/what-is-the-dos-debug-script-to-low-level-format-a-hard-drive/277395#277395 Looks like for this, the hard drive has to be <=2GB ! and hard drive has to be <=1024 cylinders! – barlop – 2011-04-30T12:20:14.600
1The term "low level format" has a specific meaning that I suspect you are not aware of, and so you are using the term incorrectly. Modern hard disks can not be low level formatted outside of the factory. You should clarify what you mean when you say "low level format". – psusi – 2012-02-14T14:48:39.450