Harddrive format question...

[TheApprentice]

I have two harddrives on my pc...

(I have formatted previously..but that was through using the Windows Disk as well as installing windows...)

Now I'm in windows XP right now... and I want to format my secondary drive...
How can i do it here?

>>> I was in My computer..I right clicked the drive...and saw Format...

Can someome explain to me that allocation unit size thing.. and is it safe to format the drive this way?

 

[Triple6]

You can format the drive that way, you can also use Disk Management: http://www.theeldergeek.com/disk_management.htm

But you will lose all the data on the drive if you format it.

I'd leave the setting at 4KB, thats the default size and the best choice.

 

[TheApprentice]

but its fully safe the way I'm doing it right?

 

[JohnWill]

It's fine to format it that way, and the allocation unit size should remain as it is.

 

[TheApprentice]

ok thanks alot guys....

its formatting now...

>>> one other question though...

If an HDD is formatted using the quick option many times....
that is without formatting it completey...

Will that cause the drive too slow down?
and when I say slow down...I mean really really slow down?
and will formatting it fully fix that problem?

 

[Triple6]

No, it won't slow it down.

 

[TheApprentice]

so i guess the drive is dying on me then...

 

[bigbear]

You could run some hard drive diagnostic software which might tell you the state of the drive, bad clusters etc
You should be able to download the software from the drive makers website

 

[JohnWill]

Download the disk manufacturer's diagnostic and do a full surface scan. That will tell you if the drive is healthy.