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do uneed to defrag after format HDD

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Name: auto7890
Date: November 19, 2007 at 02:32:41 Pacific
OS: xp
CPU/Ram: 256
Product: windows
Comment:

I am about to re-format my samsung 60gig

external HDD. Does format do the same thing as
defrag ? or do I still need to run defrag after
format ?



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Response Number 1
Name: wizard-fred
Date: November 19, 2007 at 02:41:01 Pacific
Reply:

No. Format sets up a new empty directory structure.


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Response Number 2
Name: StuartS
Date: November 19, 2007 at 04:40:47 Pacific
Reply:

Defrag and Format are two completely different processes. Format is essential before a hard disk can be used. Defrag, while not essential is desirable, but only after the disk has been in use for a while.

Running defrag after format will achieve nothing because there is nothing on the disk to defrag, or de-fragmentation to give it its full name.

See here for a description of what defrag does:

http://searchwinit.techtarget.com/s...

Stuart


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Response Number 3
Name: Outlander
Date: November 19, 2007 at 11:44:41 Pacific
Reply:

well you can defrag a newly formated HD, would be the shortest defrag in history.


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Response Number 4
Name: kx5m2g
Date: November 19, 2007 at 22:28:30 Pacific
Reply:

However, you better not format a newly defragged HD. You would lose all of your data.


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Response Number 5
Name: maxtor01
Date: November 20, 2007 at 07:36:10 Pacific
Reply:

if your intention to increse the speed ZERO fill the HD the mess on the magnetic surface of the HDD will be cleared.


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Response Number 6
Name: StuartS
Date: November 20, 2007 at 14:21:05 Pacific
Reply:

Rubbish! Format is all you need. The only thing a zero fill will do that format will not is delete the Master Boot Record. Zero fill will have absolutely no effect on speed whatsoever. Not a jot.

Stuart


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Response Number 7
Name: Mike Newcomb
Date: November 21, 2007 at 01:45:20 Pacific
Reply:

Dear Auto

When you defrag a disc, all info remains on the hdd, but files are contiguous and thus quicker accessed.

When you format a disc, regard all data as effectively lost. Is this what you want?

Good Luck - Keep us posted.


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