RE-FORMAT vs. INITIALIZE
John Meyer/Symantec Volunteer
> Configuration Information:
> Version: --Other--
> Operating system: --Other--
> Formatting: --Other--
>
> While reading some material on this informative newsgroup, I was
> surprised to learn from a Symantec Volunteer (Mr. Meyer)that
> "re-formatting" is a different from "initializing". How does one know
> it is better to re-format rather than initialize; and how does one do
> it?
>
> Regards.
Hi Serge:
Initailization, esentially does nothing more than clean out the
directory listing - throw all the information away. The data that was
on the isk is still there, but you will not be able to get at it
because the directory no longer can tell the computer where things
are. Files might be able to be retrieved using Unerase or Volume
Recover.
Reformatting, on the other hand, remarks all of the magnetic markings
on the disk that tells the drive where all of the storage areas are
and usually will include a surface test that looks for weak or bad
spots on the surface. It then creates a brand new directory
structure. Any bad spots noted in the directory and are then locked
out by writing in the directory that they are bad so that the
computer can't use theym to try to store information. This method
completely clears out all of the information on the disk, generally
overwriting everything with either all 0s or some other pattern.
Generally speaking, it is a good idea to reformat and do a surface
verify every year or two because normal use can weaken the magnetic
marks and use can also cause bad spots on the disk. This can cause
problems for the drive as it tries to navigate the surface of the
disk to find data. bad blocks that develop can cause problems with
the directory or damaged files since the data isn't retained properly
by the surface of the disk.
If you simply want to get rid of a corrupted directory you could
initialize the drive. Generally, if you are having recurring drive
problems reported by NUM, reformatting is the choice because it sets
everything up like new.