<< I did NOT say "format". I did NOT say "reinstall".>>
You're right. <<What I said was to *initialize* the volume then fill it from a *full backup*. This done once a year or two take FAR less time than running defraggers and such often.>> What's the point of initializing the drive? You're not mapping out the degraded sectors if you initialize. So that same bad sector is there to currupt whatever file gets written to it. To me, a reinstall is no different than restoring from a backup. You're reinstalling what you had on the drive. I know the differences involved, but neither method optimizes what goes where, etc. So, you're backing up your data once a year? If that's the case, then it does take far less time. <<The volume needs to be *initialized* (Finder\Special\Erase Disk). This resets the volume's data structures so the disk is in-effect empty. You only need for (re)format if the disk's driver hasn't kept up with mapping out bad sectors or if the disks partition map is corrupted.>> Isn't that a REALLY important part, mapping out bad sectors and saving files from degraded sectors? I defrag my drives when they show heavy fragmentation. It may be months. Besides being defragged, any drive problems get fixed, AND the drive gets optimized as well. <<Installers do file-by-file operations, including deletes and such. When they're done, things are already fragmented a bit. Backup utilities such as Disk Fit or Retrospect re-create the files sequentially, so they're contiguous.>> Not to put too fine a point on it, but aren't you talking about fresh installs, not reinstalls? The advantage of a reinstall over a fresh install is the time you have to spend setting all the settings, extensions, etc. That's why I like to burn a CD with my finalized system folder, make sure it boots, and if need be, copy the system folder to the boot drive. <<Of course, the subject of good full and incremental backup practices is another matter entirely... - Dan. >> Never heard of Disk Fit. Any good? Freeware? Shareware? STeve -- PCI-PowerMacs is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | -- Sonnet & PowerLogix Upgrades - start at $169 | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> PCI-PowerMacs list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/pci-powermacs.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive:<http://www.mail-archive.com/pci-powermacs%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
