Just got a new 6TB Ironwolf Pro. I put it in a USB 2.0 case temporarily for some days (I'll install it as internal) and ran a low-level format without thinking much about it. Two hours later, it's 5%... so I estimate It'll reach 100% in 40h (all that time running at 53ºC/127ºF).
Questions: sould I abort, install it internally and run a quick format? Is it safe to abort? Will it take less to do a full low-level format if it's installed internally instead of the 2.0 case or it does not matter?
Thanks
asked Jan 23, 2019 at 18:54
Guille RoldánGuille Roldán
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If it's factory-new hard drive, then there's no data on it, so no benefit to running a full format. If someone else used it before or it's been on the shelf for a while, there's some benefit, like finding sectors that have gone bad.
Jan 23, 2019 at 19:32
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It is safe to abort and do a quick format.
Your biggest problem is USB 2.0 is approx 25mb/s so it will take a super long time to complete a full format.
For comparison, internal you usually get 100-150mb/s so it completes in approx 1/4 to 1/5 of the time.
answered Jan 23, 2019 at 18:58
cybernardcybernard
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I thought that was a HDD-job only, not related with the Pc it's connected to. That's why I did not mind the slow external case. Thanks!
Jan 23, 2019 at 19:01
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Tell it to abort and then wait for it to do so. Don't just pull the plug on it. These days a LLF is almost never needed especially with a new disk, and should only be used by someone who knows what they are doing. Install it in your machine, create partitions, and quick format.
Jan 23, 2019 at 19:22
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If you're going to use it in your PC, I would just put it in there and do the format. You can choose to do a quick or full format.
Quick Format
- A quick format on a volume removes files from the partition, but does not scan the disk for bad sectors.
Full Format
- A quick format on a volume removes the files from the partition, and the hard disk is scanned for bad sectors. The scanning for bad sectors is what makes it take quite a bit longer.
What I suggest is doing a quick format. Then run the cmd command chkdsk /f. That will fix possible bad sectors. In my experience this is a more efficient way to setup a new disk. With it being a new drive, it's likely that there are no bad sectors.
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My understanding is that decades ago, a full format included sector checking, but no longer. That is all now handled by the hard drive's internal controller. Software like chkdsk can force a check. Otherwise, bad sectors are discovered during use via the error correcting code. A full format includes zero filling the partition, but not verifying the writes. See this earlier thread: superuser.com/questions/1142155/….
Jan 24, 2019 at 2:35
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