Where is the WD utility that returns an IDE disk to factory settings ?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Al Dykes
  • Start date Start date
A

Al Dykes

I think I've heard of references to a utility that puts an IDE disk
back to factory settinge that was downloadable from the Western
Digital web site. I could use it now, and I can't see anything
that matches that description.

I'm trying to figure out what's wrong with a WD200BB disk. I want to
try something that does more than an FDISK/FORMAT.

Is there a utility from another vendor that will do what I want ?

Thanks
 
I believe it's called wdfmt or something like that.... I have an old
copy around here, but I'd search the WD site for low level format
util..
 
I believe it's called wdfmt or something like that.... I have an old
copy around here, but I'd search the WD site for low level format
util..
Click to expand...


Googling for "wdfmt" finds a utility that is described as being pre-IDE.

This is an IDE disk, for sure.

BTW: DOes anyone know when the first 20Gb WD disk shipped ?
 
Al Dykes said:
I think I've heard of references to a utility that puts an IDE disk
back to factory settinge that was downloadable from the Western
Digital web site. I could use it now, and I can't see anything
that matches that description.

I'm trying to figure out what's wrong with a WD200BB disk. I want to
try something that does more than an FDISK/FORMAT.

Is there a utility from another vendor that will do what I want ?

Thanks
Click to expand...

To test drive you need DLGDIAG from the WD site, it will test the drive
and also has option to write zeros to the drive.

Mike.
 
I think I've heard of references to a utility
that puts an IDE disk back to factory settinge
Click to expand...

There are very few 'settings' available, so what's the point ?

They're just basic stuff like AAM and SMART etc.
that was downloadable from the Western Digital
web site. I could use it now, and I can't see
anything that matches that description.
Click to expand...
I'm trying to figure out what's wrong with a WD200BB disk.
Click to expand...

Likely its either developed a fault or there
isnt a problem with the drive settings.

What makes you think there is a problem with the
drive that resetting the settings is worth trying ?
I want to try something that does more than an FDISK/FORMAT.
Click to expand...

The best approach is to use something like clearhdd from
http://www.samsung.com/Products/HardDiskDrive/utilities/clearhdd.htm
to wipe the first few hundred tracks and eliminate any
possibility of bad data in the MBR or bios overlays etc.
Is there a utility from another vendor that will do what I want ?
Click to expand...

Nope. There are a few like Hitachi's Feature Tool that do allow
you to change what settings the drive has to whatever you want.
 
There are very few 'settings' available, so what's the point ?

They're just basic stuff like AAM and SMART etc.



Likely its either developed a fault or there
isnt a problem with the drive settings.

What makes you think there is a problem with the
drive that resetting the settings is worth trying ?
Click to expand...


Because the label on the disk says 20GB and autodetect
in the bios says 512 or 1024MB depending on how I screw
with it.

I think you solution wioll fix it. It's picking
up partition size in teh MBR, I'm now told.

Thanks
 
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