Different format times

  • Thread starter Thread starter Zotin Khuma
  • Start date Start date
Z

Zotin Khuma

Sorry if this is a bit OT, but I'm not sure which NG to post it to.

I assemble computers part-time, with my teenaged son helping out when
he can take time off from his studies. For quite some time, we have
suspected that it somehow takes longer for me to do a straightforward
Windows format than it does for my son. So last night, we sat together
at his computer and took turns formatting the same 10GB partition - a
simple point-and-click operation in Win98 using the full format
option.

Unfortunately, we didn't think of noting the time taken for each
operation, but the difference was unmistakeable. It generally took
about twice as long for me. We took alternate turns to do it three
times each and the results were quite consistent. Can anyone offer an
explanation ?
 
Sorry if this is a bit OT, but I'm not sure which NG to post it to.

I assemble computers part-time, with my teenaged son helping out when
he can take time off from his studies. For quite some time, we have
suspected that it somehow takes longer for me to do a straightforward
Windows format than it does for my son. So last night, we sat together
at his computer and took turns formatting the same 10GB partition - a
simple point-and-click operation in Win98 using the full format
option.

Unfortunately, we didn't think of noting the time taken for each
operation, but the difference was unmistakeable. It generally took
about twice as long for me. We took alternate turns to do it three
times each and the results were quite consistent. Can anyone offer an
explanation ?
Click to expand...

When doing your format, trying moving your mouse around, not necessarily
fast but continually.

How long are we talking about, a ballpark guesstimate of how long the
format takes?
 
Sorry if this is a bit OT, but I'm not sure which NG to post it to.

I assemble computers part-time, with my teenaged son helping out when
he can take time off from his studies. For quite some time, we have
suspected that it somehow takes longer for me to do a straightforward
Windows format than it does for my son. So last night, we sat together
at his computer and took turns formatting the same 10GB partition - a
simple point-and-click operation in Win98 using the full format
option.

Unfortunately, we didn't think of noting the time taken for each
operation, but the difference was unmistakeable. It generally took
about twice as long for me. We took alternate turns to do it three
times each and the results were quite consistent. Can anyone offer an
explanation ?
Click to expand...

You must be slowing down in your old age!

LOL
ECM
 
To ensure the fastest time when doing a full install of windows 98, yo
must:

1. Point one lamp with a standard indoor 60 watt bulb directly at th
right side of your monitor. (if you have an LCD, please skip)
2. Open a window half-way
3. Lift your left arm above your head while performing clickin
operations. Only lower your arm if needed for typing. (Left hande
users please switch this direction)
4. Repeat 5 times slowly: Oh, mighty Microsoft, please be kind to me..
Oh, mighty Microsoft, please be kind to me... Oh, mighty Microsoft
please be kind to me... Oh, mighty Microsoft, please be kind to me..
Oh, mighty Microsoft, please be kind to me...
5. Last, you will need to open the CD Tray, and insert a boot disk fo
FreeBSD, and then it will format in a timely manner every time.

:)

This is a really strange finding you have...

What were the time differences exactly??? 10 minutes? 30 minutes
 
himerus said:
To ensure the fastest time when doing a full install of windows 98, you
must:

1. Point one lamp with a standard indoor 60 watt bulb directly at the
right side of your monitor. (if you have an LCD, please skip)
2. Open a window half-way
3. Lift your left arm above your head while performing clicking
operations. Only lower your arm if needed for typing. (Left handed
users please switch this direction)
4. Repeat 5 times slowly: Oh, mighty Microsoft, please be kind to me...
Oh, mighty Microsoft, please be kind to me... Oh, mighty Microsoft,
please be kind to me... Oh, mighty Microsoft, please be kind to me...
Oh, mighty Microsoft, please be kind to me...
5. Last, you will need to open the CD Tray, and insert a boot disk for
FreeBSD, and then it will format in a timely manner every time.

:)
LOL

This is a really strange finding you have...

What were the time differences exactly??? 10 minutes? 30 minutes?
Click to expand...

As I said, we didn't note down the times, but I'd say it was roughly
half a minute for my son, and about a minute for me.

Another strange thing : Over the past several months, my own format
times have become shorter and shorter too - from a few minutes for a
10GB partition to about a minute now (so much for the other poster's
comment that I must be slowing down with age .. :) ). At first, I
thought this might be due to differences between manufacturing
batches, but with this other factor, I'm not so sure. I always use
Seagate 7200rpm Barracuda drives, mostly 40 and 80GB.

To some people, this might sound like a hoax, but I assure you it
isn't.

-Zotin
 
On 27 Mar 2004 13:33:20 -0800 Letting slip the dogs of war
Sorry if this is a bit OT, but I'm not sure which NG to post it to.

I assemble computers part-time, with my teenaged son helping out when
he can take time off from his studies. For quite some time, we have
suspected that it somehow takes longer for me to do a straightforward
Windows format than it does for my son. So last night, we sat together
at his computer and took turns formatting the same 10GB partition - a
simple point-and-click operation in Win98 using the full format
option.

Unfortunately, we didn't think of noting the time taken for each
operation, but the difference was unmistakeable. It generally took
about twice as long for me. We took alternate turns to do it three
times each and the results were quite consistent. Can anyone offer an
explanation ?
Click to expand...

If you are formatting in windows then I suspect that some of the
drives are not in full DMA mode or may even be in MSdos Compatibility
mode when you formatted them,
http://www.geocities.com/sheppola/mode.html
This small free diagnostic,part of Nero's Burning Rom software,will
tell you about the drive DMA modes etc.Sooo good it can even be run
from within the zip file,
http://www.cdspeed2000.com/
HTH :)



--
Free Windows/PC help,
http://www.geocities.com/sheppola/trouble.html
email shepATpartyheld.de
Free songs to download and,"BURN" :O)
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/8/nomessiahsmusic.htm
 
As I said, we didn't note down the times, but I'd say it was roughly
half a minute for my son, and about a minute for me.

Another strange thing : Over the past several months, my own format
times have become shorter and shorter too - from a few minutes for a
10GB partition to about a minute now (so much for the other poster's
comment that I must be slowing down with age .. :) ). At first, I
thought this might be due to differences between manufacturing
batches, but with this other factor, I'm not so sure. I always use
Seagate 7200rpm Barracuda drives, mostly 40 and 80GB.

To some people, this might sound like a hoax, but I assure you it
isn't.

-Zotin
Click to expand...

It probably won't be a whole format that it does. My new 120Gb
Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 took about 90 mins to format with the NTFS.
 
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