Hi Marcia
I agree with Tazmun, you need to go the the drive manufacturers website and
download the utility made specifically for your drive to do the low-level
format. However, I would also search the manufacturer's site for a
drive-testing utility and run the diagnostics test first. The test should
tell you whether or not the drive is kaput and if so, as a last resort
perfom the low-level format. As Civileme pointed out, low-level formats can
totally finish off the drive.
Good luck
skinky
----- Original Message -----
From: "tazmun" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>
<snip>
> probably a long shot though. The low format utilities are not found in
your
> bios, or at least I've never seen such a thing. I would suggest
> downloading the utilities offered by the hard drive manufacturer on line.
> The ones I've used are quite helpful and offer the proper low level format
> for your drive if necessary. They normally offer to help you make a
> bootable disk to boot on your floppy drive. The low level format is
> sometimes called the "write test"(specifically maxtor), but remember this
> wipes your drive completely clean and requires a fdisk and normal format
> afterwards. Sorry I don't know the Linux equivalents. I have had drives
> testing bad after a low level format test out ok. Depending on why the
>
> Tazmun
>
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