WINDOWS NTFS format Quick vs. Regular. What's the diff?

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#1 Post by **daeojkim** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 6:57 pm

When you are formatting the HD there are two options for NTFS format quick and regular.

What is the difference and is there any advantage of using regular formatting instead of quick?

Leon · #2 Post by **Leon** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 7:26 pm

Quick format removes files from the partition, but does not scan the disk for bad sectors. With regular format, files are removed from the volume you are formatting and the hard disk is then scanned for bad sectors.

JHEM · #3 Post by **JHEM** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 7:34 pm

Leon wrote:Quick format removes files from the partition, but does not scan the disk for bad sectors. With regular format, files are removed from the volume you are formatting and the hard disk is then scanned for bad sectors.

One slight correction Leon, a Quick format erases the FAT, but not the actual files.

Regards,

James

Leon · #4 Post by **Leon** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 7:45 pm

Correct, "removed" only in the figurative sense. Actually, an important point: If you ever sell your machine, DO NOT do the "Quick Format", as all your data will be viewable with sector level tools.

Marc_G · #5 Post by **Marc_G** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 10:01 pm

When I turn in / sell a machine, I always run a low-level format utility to nuke the drive back to the stone age. After this operation, one would really have to go to extreme measures to get useful data off...

JHEM · #6 Post by **JHEM** » Tue Mar 29, 2005 10:44 pm

Marc_G wrote:When I turn in / sell a machine, I always run a low-level format utility to nuke the drive back to the stone age. After this operation, one would really have to go to extreme measures to get useful data off...

Not as extreme as you might think. About four hours in a well equipped lab will recover all your data.

The sole presently acceptable DOD/DOE methodology for securing data on HDs is mechanical shredding.

Regards,

James

Leon · #7 Post by **Leon** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 1:20 am

Actually, DOD 5220.22-M allows for 7 passes of random bits to be written over each file. Software programs that conform to this Standard are readily available. Note that this kind of software overwrite is often referred to as "shredding. Some Top Secret data does require mechanical destruction, but it is the exception, rather than the rule.

Marc_G · #8 Post by **Marc_G** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 8:18 am

James / Leon-

Interesting info. It's amazing that we have to go to such extremes to prevent the possibility of data theft.

OK, next drive I turn in gets LLF then 7 passes of static.

On the bright side, most of the data thieves out there don't have the lab needed to steal my data, and will take easier prey. Why bother to break into a car when many people leave their doors unlocked.
Marc

Leon · #9 Post by **Leon** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 8:23 am

Agreed.... as far as my own hard drive is concerned, if they want to spend the time and money (four hours in a well equipped lab), they deserve my data and they can have it!

#10 Post by **daeojkim** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 2:04 pm

Thanks everyone for the input and information.

I guess then there it is not necessary to do full format if I am planning to clean install a system. The full format for 30GB took forever (it is a slow HD), I should stick to quick formatting as long as I am the one using the system.

Leon · #11 Post by **Leon** » Wed Mar 30, 2005 3:04 pm

Yes, EXCEPT in the (relatively unlikely) event of physical disk errors, they will NOT be found and flagged as unusable.

WINDOWS NTFS format Quick vs. Regular. What's the diff?

WINDOWS NTFS format Quick vs. Regular. What's the diff?

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