Disk Format Issue

I recently purchased a 160 GB version of the following for use as a
dedicated backup device:
http://www.seagate.com/www/en-gb/pro.../freeagent_go/

Whilst it's excellent, the most annoying thing is it takes over 2 hours
to fully format the drive. Quick format is just that; quick, without
problem! : )

Why should full format take so long to accomplish?

Iain wrote:
> I recently purchased a 160 GB version of the following for use as a
> dedicated backup device:
> http://www.seagate.com/www/en-gb/pro.../freeagent_go/
>
> Whilst it's excellent, the most annoying thing is it takes over 2
> hours to fully format the drive. Quick format is just that; quick,
> without problem! : )
>
> Why should full format take so long to accomplish?

When you choose to run a regular format on a volume, files are removed from
the volume that you are formatting and the hard disk is scanned for bad
sectors. The scan for bad sectors is responsible for the majority of the
time that it takes to format a volume.

If you choose the Quick format option, format removes files from the
partition, but does not scan the disk for bad sectors. Only use this option
if your hard disk has been previously formatted and you are sure that your
hard disk is not damaged.

"New" disks should be subjected to a "full" format before being placed in
service. After that, ordinary operating practices should detect bad sectors
so that a "Quick" format should be sufficient.

Iain wrote:
> I recently purchased a 160 GB version of the following for use as a
> dedicated backup device:
> http://www.seagate.com/www/en-gb/pro.../freeagent_go/
>
> Whilst it's excellent, the most annoying thing is it takes over 2 hours
> to fully format the drive. Quick format is just that; quick, without
> problem! : )
>
> Why should full format take so long to accomplish?

You don't need to do a full format, especially if the drive is new. Full
formats taking a long time is normal.

Alias

HeyBub wrote:
> Iain wrote:
>> I recently purchased a 160 GB version of the following for use as a
>> dedicated backup device:
>> http://www.seagate.com/www/en-gb/pro.../freeagent_go/
>>
>> Whilst it's excellent, the most annoying thing is it takes over 2
>> hours to fully format the drive. Quick format is just that; quick,
>> without problem! : )
>>
>> Why should full format take so long to accomplish?
>
> When you choose to run a regular format on a volume, files are removed from
> the volume that you are formatting and the hard disk is scanned for bad
> sectors. The scan for bad sectors is responsible for the majority of the
> time that it takes to format a volume.
>
> If you choose the Quick format option, format removes files from the
> partition, but does not scan the disk for bad sectors. Only use this option
> if your hard disk has been previously formatted and you are sure that your
> hard disk is not damaged.
>
> "New" disks should be subjected to a "full" format before being placed in
> service. After that, ordinary operating practices should detect bad sectors
> so that a "Quick" format should be sufficient.
>
>

Thanks for clarifying this.

Upon initial installation, I completely reformatted the drive to remove
all the rubbish Seagate had installed. I was amazed by the length of
time it took for format, however.

This being my dedicated disaster recovery disk, I'm trying to keep it as
pristine as possible, i.e. minimal fragmentation, etc. Therefore, is
quick format a good idea here or should I periodically reformat the
drive, then do a "Complete PC Backup"?

Iain wrote:
> HeyBub wrote:
>> Iain wrote:
>>> I recently purchased a 160 GB version of the following for use as a
>>> dedicated backup device:
>>> http://www.seagate.com/www/en-gb/pro.../freeagent_go/
>>>
>>> Whilst it's excellent, the most annoying thing is it takes over 2
>>> hours to fully format the drive. Quick format is just that; quick,
>>> without problem! : )
>>>
>>> Why should full format take so long to accomplish?
>>
>> When you choose to run a regular format on a volume, files are removed
>> from the volume that you are formatting and the hard disk is scanned
>> for bad sectors. The scan for bad sectors is responsible for the
>> majority of the time that it takes to format a volume.
>>
>> If you choose the Quick format option, format removes files from the
>> partition, but does not scan the disk for bad sectors. Only use this
>> option if your hard disk has been previously formatted and you are
>> sure that your hard disk is not damaged.
>>
>> "New" disks should be subjected to a "full" format before being placed
>> in service. After that, ordinary operating practices should detect bad
>> sectors so that a "Quick" format should be sufficient.
>>
>>
>
> Thanks for clarifying this.
>
> Upon initial installation, I completely reformatted the drive to remove
> all the rubbish Seagate had installed.

What rubbish?

Alias

"Alias" <> wrote in message news:fikkij$m61$...
> Iain wrote:
>> HeyBub wrote:
>>> Iain wrote:
>>>> I recently purchased a 160 GB version of the following for use as a
>>>> dedicated backup device:
>>>> http://www.seagate.com/www/en-gb/pro.../freeagent_go/
>>>>
>>>> Whilst it's excellent, the most annoying thing is it takes over 2
>>>> hours to fully format the drive. Quick format is just that; quick,
>>>> without problem! : )
>>>>
>>>> Why should full format take so long to accomplish?
>>>
>>> When you choose to run a regular format on a volume, files are removed
>>> from the volume that you are formatting and the hard disk is scanned for
>>> bad sectors. The scan for bad sectors is responsible for the majority of
>>> the time that it takes to format a volume.
>>>
>>> If you choose the Quick format option, format removes files from the
>>> partition, but does not scan the disk for bad sectors. Only use this
>>> option if your hard disk has been previously formatted and you are sure
>>> that your hard disk is not damaged.
>>>
>>> "New" disks should be subjected to a "full" format before being placed
>>> in service. After that, ordinary operating practices should detect bad
>>> sectors so that a "Quick" format should be sufficient.
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Thanks for clarifying this.
>>
>> Upon initial installation, I completely reformatted the drive to remove
>> all the rubbish Seagate had installed.
>
> What rubbish?

Maybe it's Ubuntu!


>
> Alias

"Alias" <> wrote in message news:fik5ql$6hu$...
> Iain wrote:
>> I recently purchased a 160 GB version of the following for use as a
>> dedicated backup device:
>> http://www.seagate.com/www/en-gb/pro.../freeagent_go/
>>
>> Whilst it's excellent, the most annoying thing is it takes over 2 hours
>> to fully format the drive. Quick format is just that; quick, without
>> problem! : )
>>
>> Why should full format take so long to accomplish?
>
> You don't need to do a full format, especially if the drive is new. Full
> formats taking a long time is normal.
>
> Alias

One thing that anyone should do is if they have Ubuntu on their computer, do
a full format before ditching it and installing a Real OS like Windows XP.

Bill Yanaire wrote:
> "Alias" <> wrote in message news:fikkij$m61$...
>> Iain wrote:
>>> HeyBub wrote:
>>>> Iain wrote:
>>>>> I recently purchased a 160 GB version of the following for use as a
>>>>> dedicated backup device:
>>>>> http://www.seagate.com/www/en-gb/pro.../freeagent_go/
>>>>>
>>>>> Whilst it's excellent, the most annoying thing is it takes over 2
>>>>> hours to fully format the drive. Quick format is just that; quick,
>>>>> without problem! : )
>>>>>
>>>>> Why should full format take so long to accomplish?
>>>> When you choose to run a regular format on a volume, files are removed
>>>> from the volume that you are formatting and the hard disk is scanned for
>>>> bad sectors. The scan for bad sectors is responsible for the majority of
>>>> the time that it takes to format a volume.
>>>>
>>>> If you choose the Quick format option, format removes files from the
>>>> partition, but does not scan the disk for bad sectors. Only use this
>>>> option if your hard disk has been previously formatted and you are sure
>>>> that your hard disk is not damaged.
>>>>
>>>> "New" disks should be subjected to a "full" format before being placed
>>>> in service. After that, ordinary operating practices should detect bad
>>>> sectors so that a "Quick" format should be sufficient.
>>>>
>>>>
>>> Thanks for clarifying this.
>>>
>>> Upon initial installation, I completely reformatted the drive to remove
>>> all the rubbish Seagate had installed.
>> What rubbish?
>
> Maybe it's Ubuntu!

Oh my, Billy boy thinks he's being cute and clever!

Alias

Alias wrote:
> Iain wrote:
>> HeyBub wrote:
>>> Iain wrote:
>>>> I recently purchased a 160 GB version of the following for use as a
>>>> dedicated backup device:
>>>> http://www.seagate.com/www/en-gb/pro.../freeagent_go/
>>>>
>>>> Whilst it's excellent, the most annoying thing is it takes over 2
>>>> hours to fully format the drive. Quick format is just that; quick,
>>>> without problem! : )
>>>>
>>>> Why should full format take so long to accomplish?
>>>
>>> When you choose to run a regular format on a volume, files are
>>> removed from the volume that you are formatting and the hard disk is
>>> scanned for bad sectors. The scan for bad sectors is responsible for
>>> the majority of the time that it takes to format a volume.
>>>
>>> If you choose the Quick format option, format removes files from the
>>> partition, but does not scan the disk for bad sectors. Only use this
>>> option if your hard disk has been previously formatted and you are
>>> sure that your hard disk is not damaged.
>>>
>>> "New" disks should be subjected to a "full" format before being
>>> placed in service. After that, ordinary operating practices should
>>> detect bad sectors so that a "Quick" format should be sufficient.
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Thanks for clarifying this.
>>
>> Upon initial installation, I completely reformatted the drive to
>> remove all the rubbish Seagate had installed.
>
> What rubbish?
>
> Alias

From the link to Seagate website listed above:

" Whether using a computer at work, school, a business center, an
Internet cafe or library, have your desktop environment and latest files
with you. Along with up to 160 glorious gigabytes, FreeAgent™ Go
software lets you carry lots of great programs and all your browser
favorites and passwords without having to haul around your computer.
Now any PC can temporarily become your PC.

And not to worry, your FreeAgent Go data mover saves all of your private
information on itself, not on the computer you’re using. That means
there’s no trace of your last session to tempt the next user on a
borrowed computer. It also provides strong file encryption to protect
your content and lets you sync your files from several PCs. It even
includes a five-year limited warranty."


Seagate software is preloaded on drive to provide above listed services.
It's not needed for my usage of drive.

Iain wrote:
> Alias wrote:
>> Iain wrote:
>>> HeyBub wrote:
>>>> Iain wrote:
>>>>> I recently purchased a 160 GB version of the following for use as a
>>>>> dedicated backup device:
>>>>> http://www.seagate.com/www/en-gb/pro.../freeagent_go/
>>>>>
>>>>> Whilst it's excellent, the most annoying thing is it takes over 2
>>>>> hours to fully format the drive. Quick format is just that; quick,
>>>>> without problem! : )
>>>>>
>>>>> Why should full format take so long to accomplish?
>>>>
>>>> When you choose to run a regular format on a volume, files are
>>>> removed from the volume that you are formatting and the hard disk is
>>>> scanned for bad sectors. The scan for bad sectors is responsible for
>>>> the majority of the time that it takes to format a volume.
>>>>
>>>> If you choose the Quick format option, format removes files from the
>>>> partition, but does not scan the disk for bad sectors. Only use this
>>>> option if your hard disk has been previously formatted and you are
>>>> sure that your hard disk is not damaged.
>>>>
>>>> "New" disks should be subjected to a "full" format before being
>>>> placed in service. After that, ordinary operating practices should
>>>> detect bad sectors so that a "Quick" format should be sufficient.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>> Thanks for clarifying this.
>>>
>>> Upon initial installation, I completely reformatted the drive to
>>> remove all the rubbish Seagate had installed.
>>
>> What rubbish?
>>
>> Alias
>
> From the link to Seagate website listed above:
>
> " Whether using a computer at work, school, a business center, an
> Internet cafe or library, have your desktop environment and latest files
> with you. Along with up to 160 glorious gigabytes, FreeAgent™ Go
> software lets you carry lots of great programs and all your browser
> favorites and passwords without having to haul around your computer. Now
> any PC can temporarily become your PC.
>
> And not to worry, your FreeAgent Go data mover saves all of your private
> information on itself, not on the computer you’re using. That means
> there’s no trace of your last session to tempt the next user on a
> borrowed computer. It also provides strong file encryption to protect
> your content and lets you sync your files from several PCs. It even
> includes a five-year limited warranty."
>
>
> Seagate software is preloaded on drive to provide above listed services.
> It's not needed for my usage of drive.

That's weird because I just bought two Seagate PATA drives and they had
nothing on them. I believe the software you refer to comes on a CD or
DVD, not the drive itself which, because I bought the drives OEM, didn't
come with my drives.

Alias