Low Level Formatting

[NS]

Hello ladies and gentlemen,

I want to try the low level formatting on my R52 Original HDD. Ok, long story cut it short will be my R52 HDD just had a HD failure and ... Now, i want to try low level formatting and try to get back as many sectors as possible and perhaps could use it to store unimportant files like songs and photographs. I don't want to waste the HD by opening up and spoiling everything. Whatever i can savage back, i will try my best.

But i don't know much about low level and high level formatting. Can someone point me to the correct direction and give me some suggestions. Thank you.

EDIT: http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/geom/formatLow-c.html

Ok, and i don't understand this warning:

Warning: You should never attempt to do a low-level format on an IDE/ATA or SCSI hard disk. Do not try to use BIOS-based low-level formatting tools on these newer drives. It's unlikely that you will damage anything if you try to do this (since the drive controller is programmed to ignore any such LLF attempts), but at best you will be wasting your time. A modern disk can usually be restored to "like-new" condition by using a zero-fill utility.

[Words in bold]--> Why ATA/IDE cannot low level format. Is this for PC only or include laptop HDD?



Regards:
NS (Wanted for Thinkpad Abuse)!!!

[BillMorrow]

gee, i have not even THOUGHT about low level formastting for YEARS..
HDD's are so cheap now i would not be concerned trying to recover the crashed drive..
reason is it will gain you very little and take too much time..

it might be worth it as a learning experience but thats it..

i would not store any data on a drive with that history..

[NS]

HDD's are so cheap now i would not be concerned trying to recover the crashed drive..

Bill, it might be cheap over at USA but it is still very expensive in Singapore and $98 Sing dollars is expensive for a student who had not even stepped out into the world and earn the 1st cent yet!!!

I got part time jobs but it is for paying my school fees.

I think about low level formatting because since my neighbour always grumble that she got nothing to do and she is well past 60, i will let her do the formatting for me.