Thanks,
James
"Dominic Payer" <> wrote in message
news:...
> In Windows 7 and Vista, just highlight empty space and let the
> installation routine do the rest. Use Drive options (advanced) to delete
> any existing partitions unless they contain data you want to keep.
>
> If you install XP on a new disk it requires a partition to be created,
> which you can do in the XP installation routine. The default option is a
> full format which includes a surface test, but you can select a quick
> format if you want.
>
> XP can use an existing partition, and any existing partitions can be
> deleted and/or recreated and formatted during the XP installation.
>
> Windows 98 and earlier needed partitions to be created from a DOS boot
> disk. The DOS partition and format do not perform a surface test. DOS boot
> disks cannot format an NTFS partition.
>
> The size of modern disks means a surface test could take hours, to no
> useful purpose as surface defects on new disks are very rare. I have only
> once, some years ago, had a new disk with a surface defect and the XP
> surface test passed it anyway.
>
> If you want to check your disk in detail, do so within the OS after
> installation.
>
> The most likely (but still very rare) mode of failure of a new disk is
> drive electronics failure within the first few weeks of use. Surface
> testing will not reveal that. Only the drive manufacturer's diagnostic
> utility could reveal such a developing weakness, but would not predict a
> sudden failure.
>
>
> On 03/11/2009 11:59, JamesJ wrote:
>> I don't remember using a format option in xp when I installed it.
>>
>> I had a boot disk in drive a: and would use the format command form 'dos'
>> That 'dos' format command would do a surface test?
>>
>> If a partition exists and I highlight it Vista won't need to create a
>> new partition
>> it would simply format the partition if the option is selected?
>>
>> So, in short, if I want to format my hd and check the surface for
>> problems I need
>> to get 3rd party software to perform the procedure??
>>
>> Isn't it a good idea to have the hd surface checked for problems?
>>
>> James
>>
>> "Dominic Payer" <> wrote in message
>> news:...
>>> With Vista and Windows 7 you do not need to create a partition
>>> yourself, just highlight the space where you want the OS installed.
>>> The OS creates and formats the partitions it needs.
>>>
>>> With XP and earlier, the full format included a disk surface test
>>> which is what took the time. Vista and Windows 7 just create the
>>> partition without the surface test.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On 03/11/2009 01:28, JamesJ wrote:
>>>> Vista Basic x32 sp2
>>>>
>>>> I can remember back when, I would install a windows os.
>>>>
>>>> I would use fdisk and wipe out the partiion, format the drive and
>>>> install the os.
>>>>
>>>> If I remember correctly, the format, even on a 30gb, hd would take 1/2
>>>> an hour or more.
>>>> Now I have a 160gb hd and recently have re-installed vista using the
>>>> format option.
>>>>
>>>> The format took about 1 minute.
>>>>
>>>> Is this normal?
>>>> Using the format option does vista actually format the drive or simply
>>>> deletes everything on the partition?
>>>>
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> James
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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