what is the difference between quick and standard format

[BigJim]

what is the difference between quick and standard partition and format in xp
besides the time involved. NTFS
I tried the quick format tonight when I was messing around with a drive,
seems like everything is the same on the surface.

TIA

 

[cajunswabbie]

what is the difference between quick and standard partition and format in
xp besides the time involved. NTFS
I tried the quick format tonight when I was messing around with a drive,
seems like everything is the same on the surface.

TIA

My experience is that quick format is for disk that have previously
formatted. If the disk has not been formatted, then you will have to use
the standard format option. Usually you will get a popup message "This disk
can not be quick formatted" or something along that line.

Cajunswabbie
USN (Retire)

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

Differences between a Quick format and a regular format during a "clean"
installation of Windows XP: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=302686

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]
Windows® XP Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


what is the difference between quick and standard partition and format in xp
besides the time involved. NTFS
I tried the quick format tonight when I was messing around with a drive,
seems like everything is the same on the surface.

TIA

 

[Jonny]

Very misleading. A quick format zeroes the current file allocation table,
whichever filesystem it is. A standard format creates a new file allocation
table (overwrites any previous file allocation table). In either case, the
files previously written are still on the hard disk. These files simply
can't be accessed via the filesystem any longer. And the previous file data
may be overwritten as files are added, and their locations to the new file
allocation table.

.............
Jonny

 

[Ramesh, MS-MVP]

From another link, a Resource Kit article:

Quick format Creates the file system structure on the volume without
verifying the integrity of every sector in the volume, which increases the
formatting speed. If the volume is already formatted and you are sure the
disk is not damaged, you can use this option. If quick format fails, perform
the format again without using quick format. A full format identifies and
tracks bad sectors so that they are not used for storing data.

Formatting a Volume:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...Windows/XP/all/reskit/en-us/prkc_fil_hzfx.asp

--
Regards,

Ramesh Srinivasan, Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]
Windows® XP Troubleshooting http://www.winhelponline.com


Very misleading. A quick format zeroes the current file allocation table,
whichever filesystem it is. A standard format creates a new file allocation
table (overwrites any previous file allocation table). In either case, the
files previously written are still on the hard disk. These files simply
can't be accessed via the filesystem any longer. And the previous file data
may be overwritten as files are added, and their locations to the new file
allocation table.

.............
Jonny