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    What's the difference between a Quick and Full Format?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by Rodster, Sep 26, 2007.

  1. Rodster

    Rodster Merica

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    I've read that the major difference between a quick and a full format (Windows XP/Vista) is that a full format checks for bad sectors. It doesn't zero out the data at all. Can anyone confirm this?

    That's one nice feature about OSX. It allows you to zero out all your data during a format.

    Is there a freeware program that I can boot off of a USB flash drive that will allow me to zero fill a drive on boot up?
     
    Rodster, Sep 26, 2007
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  2. Lithus

    Lithus NBR Janitor

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    A windows format just allocates that space as free space, available to be written over. There are bit-formatters all over the place, just google it.
     
    Lithus, Sep 26, 2007
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