Low Level Format vs Clean All/Unconditional Format

[vidya]

I have a few questions and one of them is, what is the difference between an unconditional format and a diskpart's Clean All in the command prompt. When I read their definitions online I don't know what they differ in.

If anyone could be as so kind to enlighten me on the topic, I'd thank you alot!

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I'm not sure if Clean All checks for and isolates bad sectors. An unconditional format is supposed to fully test the surface before building tables.

I'd be interested in definitive info myself.

 

[theog]

Have a read of this tutorial:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

 

[vidya]

Also, I'm sort of OCD about my hard drive so I want to pretty much reset it to factory settings, I know I'd have to do multiple pass throughs but I'll be using it so I'll be just doing the 1. Should I run chkdsk before or after it? And what switches should I use with it for instance /f/r etc.

If it helps: im running windows 7 boot off a usb

 

[vidya]

Have a read of this tutorial:
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/91339-ssd-hdd-optimize-windows-reinstallation.html

Thanks, but it doesn't really answer my question but it's enlightened me on some other things thank you.

 

[vidya]

I've found that my Samsung HDD has a low level format utility I can download from their site. As I want to fully factory reset my HDD will this do this better than an unconditional format/format/diskpart's clean all?

Would a low level format do the same as 'diskpart clean all'/ the rest be better?

(Time is not a problem, I just want it factory-like restored, I know it isn't possible to be exactly like it)

 

[vidya]

How do I recover from the recovery partition. Also, is it hidden because when I list partitions and volumes nothing comes up.

My HDD was OEM so it wouldn't come with it would it?

 

[vidya]

hd103sj

 

[theog]

   Information

We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.
& made the Startup Repair CD.
startup repair disc-create
​

Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?

for Recovery Partition:
Tap the F4 Key at the Samsung logo when you first power on the computer.

How to use Samsung Recovery, make Recovery disks:
Get Downloads, Firmware, Manuals and Software for Samsung NP-RF511-S02US#
What Is Samsung Recovery Solution III?
What Is Samsung Recovery Solution 4?

Get Downloads, Firmware, Manuals and Software for Samsung NP-RF511-S02US#

 

[DeaconFrost]

A consumer can't actually "low level format" a drive. Those utilities mainly just refer to wiping the entire drive with ones or zeros to blank and type of data and formatting, including boot sector info.

There's also very little need to do anything like that, especially if you are keeping and re-using the drive. A simple diskpart /clean would do the trick.

 

[vidya]

   Information

We always assume you have made your Recovery Disks using the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Media Creator app the first day you had your new PC.
& made the Startup Repair CD.
startup repair disc-create
​

Did you make the OEM manufacturer's Recovery Disks?

for Recovery Partition:
Tap the F4 Key at the Samsung logo when you first power on the computer.

How to use Samsung Recovery, make Recovery disks:
Get Downloads, Firmware, Manuals and Software for Samsung NP-RF511-S02US#
What Is Samsung Recovery Solution III?
What Is Samsung Recovery Solution 4?

Get Downloads, Firmware, Manuals and Software for Samsung NP-RF511-S02US#

No? I don't quite understand what you mean, does a OEM HDD come with a recovery partition? No samsung logo has ever come up. Does a HDD restore it's recovery partition when it's formatted?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Bare OEM HDDs from a dealer such as Newegg don't have recovery partitions.

PC assemblers such as Dell place recovery partitions on these bare OEM drives that are then included in purchased full systems.

 

[vidya]

Yeah I built my computer so it wouldn't have one, just confused me the way he said it

thanks guys!!!