Low-level hard disk formatting - what program is better? The best program for low-level formatting hard drives - review, features and reviews.

Low-level formatting hard The disk (HDD) is applicable to transmission interfaces, including SATA, as well as IDEs that operate on a low access level.

It is required, however, immediately make a reservation: when they talk about formatting at a low access, then they mean "new" technological process "zeroing" hard disk. In this case, data from the surface of the device using a special is erased and replaced with zeros. software. Previously, under low-level formatting, a completely different process was meant.

Why do you need cleaning the disk?

Most often complete cleaning hard disk SATA. or ATA (IDE) is performed for the following reasons:

Actually, the question arises: why refer to such reformatting methods, what reasons are the processing of disk processing at a low access level?

getting rid of malicious programs, viruses that can not be eradicated by others, less effective methods: Anti-virus protection, scanning and destruction of damaged data.
for a more "clean" reinstallation of the system, high-quality installation of applications to a fresh Windows, Mac OS or Linux.
low-level formatting can be used to reliably erase private, personal data that are easily restored using the relevant resuscitation applications.
one of the most reasonable reasons is "treatment", the prevention of failures hard sectors Disc, failed cylinders that significantly worsen HDD performance
in the event that a new data storage device is used, which does not work without prior formatting
if the boot sector has been damaged: that is, as a device for loading a disk does not function, however, it is available for storing information
if you have read errors with low-level file operations performed on HDD
for the prevention, diagnostics of the hard disk, bringing its structure, surface to the proper state suitable for correct reading and recording information
when reviving Winchester, it is the most an effective way From possible

The design of the hard disk allows you to use unsupported "backup" sectors to replace bit (Bad-) blocks. However, in Practice, HDD can simply not use this backup capability and continues to record, read information on and from failed sectors.

Therefore, low-level hard disk formatting allows you to specify that it discardes broken cylinders by replacing them with backup. This, in general, significantly improves the performance of the disk, especially speaking about SATA- and IDE storage devices that are in the use of a long term, while standard Methods Formatting does not lead to the desired results of an acceptable level.

What program format disk at a low level?

Note. If you decide to this procedure, I advise you first to make backup - that is, and user data, programs - because after formatting the data will be destroyed irrevocably.

You will help you a small free program HDD Low Level Format Toolwhich supports a huge list hard disks SATA- and IDE- (with rare exceptions).

Of course, there are regular funds. For example, in some bios, there is a low-level formatting option for a hard disk. However, the lack of such a method lies in low capacity and even the inadequacy of such methods. Some HDD manufacturers provide their own tools that access the Winchester at a low level, but this is a very narrow niche ... Therefore, it is relatively safer to use HDD Low Level Format by downloading the program through my directory.

Using the Seatools For DOS utility for formatting

I present to you an excellent service program for low-level formatting -. You can download it for free on the website of the HDD provider. The SeaTools functionality includes three HDD formatting methods that are individually of interest both for home and professional users. The utility will be useful to eliminate numerous problems associated with bits sectors, BAD blocks, sudden damage to the structure or systematic loss. important information On disk.

One of the important "chips" of the program is that it really functions on the Low- (low) level, it works from under DOS, it is easy to work in the interface command line. The program works enough quickly - try scanning her the surface of the disk, this operation takes just a couple of minutes.

After scanning and diagnosing, problems can be processed actually to the hard low-level disk formatting by selecting the desired method of removing information.

Good all day!

You can argue, but flash drives have become one of the most (if not the most) popular media information. Not surprisingly, there are quite a few questions regarding them: especially important issues of recovery, formatting and testing issues.

In this article I will give the best (in my opinion) utilities for working with drives - i.e. those tools than used repeatedly himself. Information in the article, from time to time, will be updated and replenished.

Best Flashing Programs

Important! First of all, when problems with flash drive, I recommend to visit the official website of its manufacturer. The fact is that on the official website there may be specialized utilities to restore information (and not only!), Which will be much better to cope with the task.

For testing

Let's start, perhaps with testing drives. Consider programs that will help determine some of the USB drive parameters.

H2Testw.

Very useful utility to determine the actual volume of any media. In addition to the volume of the drive, it can test the actual speed of its operation (which is like to overestimate some marketing purposes).

Check Flash.

A free utility that can quickly check your flash drive for performance, measure its real reading and write speed, carry out full deletion of all information from it (so that no utility can restore any file from it!).

In addition, it is possible to edit partition information (if there is it), make backup and reanimate the image of a whole partition of the media!

The speed of the utility is quite high and hardly at least one competitor program will make this work faster!

HD Speed

This very simple, but very convenient program For dough flash drives for read / write speed (information transmission). In addition to USB drives, the utility maintains hard drives, optical drives.

The program does not need installation. The information is in a visual graphical representation. Supports Russian. Works in all windows versions: XP, 7, 8, 10.

Crystaldiskmark.

One of the best utilities To test the speed of information transfer. Supports various media: HDD (hard drives), SSD (new way solid-state discs), USB flash drives, memory cards, etc.

The program supports Russian, although it is easier to start the test in it easier - just select the media and click the start button (you can figure it out without knowing the great and mighty).

An example of results - you can look at the screenshot above.

Flash Memory Toolkit.

Flash Memory Toolkit - This program is a whole complex utilities for service flash drives.

Full feature set:

detailed list of properties and information about the drive and USB devices;
test to search for errors while reading and writing information onto the carrier;
fast data cleaning from the drive;
search and restore information;
backing up all files to media and the ability to restore from a backup;
low-level testing speed testing;
measurement of speed when working with small / large files.

FC-TEST.

Benchmark for measurement real speed Read / write hard drives, flash drives, memory cards, CD / DVD devices, etc. The main feature of its feature and the difference from all utilities of this kind is that it uses real data samples to work.

Of the minuses: the utility has not been updated for a long time (problems with new-fashioned types of media are possible).

Flashnul.

This utility allows you to diagnose and testing USB Flash drives. With this operation, by the way, errors and bugs will be corrected. Supported media: USI Flash Drives, SD, MMC, MS, XD, MD, COMPACTFLASH, etc.

List of operations performed:

read test - an operation will be carried out to identify the availability of each sector on the carrier;
test write - similar to the first function;
the test of the safety of information - the utility checks the integrity of all data on the carrier;
saving a media image - saving all that is on a carrier in a separate file-image;.
loading an image into the device - analogue of the previous operation.

For formatting

HDD Low Level Format Tool

A program that only one task is to format the carrier (supported by the way, and tough hDD discs, and solid-state disks - SSD, and USB flash drives).

Despite such a "meager" set of opportunities - this utility is not in vain in the first place in this article. The fact is that it allows you to "return" to life even those carriers that are no longer visible in any other program. If this utility sees your media, try to spend low-level formatting in it (ATTENTION! All data will be deleted!) - There is a good chance that after such a format, your flash drive will work as before: without failures and errors.

USB Disk Storage Format Tool

The program for formatting and creating boot flash drives. Supported File Systems: Fat, Fat32, NTFS. Utility does not require installation, supports uSB port 2.0 (USB 3.0 does not see. Note: This port is marked with blue).

Its main difference from the standard tool in Windows to format drives is the ability to "see" even those carriers that are not visible staffing OS. Otherwise, the program is quite simple and laconic, I recommend it to use it for formatting all the "problem" flash drives.

FORMAT USB OR FLASH DRIVE SOFTWARE

The utility will help in cases where the standard formatting program in Windows will refuse to "see" a media (or, for example, in the process of operation will issue errors). Format USB OR Flash Drive Software can format media to the following file systems: NTFS, FAT32 and EXFAT. There is a quick formatting option.

I also want to mark a simple interface: made in the style of minimalism, it is easier to figure it easier (the screen is presented above). In general, I recommend!

SD Formatter.

Simple utility for formatting various flash cards: SD / SDHC / SDXC.

The main difference is OT. standard programBuilt in Windows - is that this utility formats the media according to the type of flash card: SD / SDHC / SDXC. It is also worth noting the presence of a Russian language, a simple and understandable interface (the main window of the program is presented on the screen above).

Aomei Partition Assistant.

Aomei Partition Assistant - Big Free (for home use) Combine, which presents a huge number of functions and capabilities to work with hard drives and USB media.

The program supports Russian (but by default, the English is still put), it works in all popular Windows: XP, 7, 8, 10. The program, by the way, works on its own unique algorithms (at least according to the developers of this software. ), which allows it to "see" even "very problem" carriers, whether it is a flash drive or HDD.

In general, it is not enough to describe all its properties - it's not enough and the whole article! I recommend to try, especially since Aomei Partition Assistant will relieve you not only from problems with USB drives, but also with the rest of the carriers.

Programs for recovery

Important! If the programs presented below are not enough, I recommend you to familiarize yourself with the big collection of information for the recovery of information from different types media (hard drives, flash drives, memory cards, etc.) :.
If when connecting the drive - it reports an error and asks to produce formatting - do not do this (possibly after this operation, the data will be much more complicated data)! In this case, I recommend to get acquainted with this article :.

Recuva.

One of the best free software To restore files. Moreover, it supports not only USB drives, but also hard drives. Distinctive features: Fast media scanning, quite a high degree of search for "remains" of files (i.e., chances to return the remote file is quite high), a simple interface, step-by-step wizard of the recovery (even quite "newcomers" will be cope).

For those who will scan their flash drive for those for the first time, I recommend to familiarize yourself with the mini-instructions for recovering files in Recuva:

R saver

Free * (for non-commercial use on the territory of the USSR) program to restore information from hard drives, flash drives, memory cards, and other media. The program supports all the most popular file systems: NTFS, FAT and EXFAT.

The program scanning parameters The program arms independently (in which another plus for beginners).

Program capabilities:

restore randomly deleted files;
the ability to reconstruct damaged file systems;
recovering files after formatting media;
restore data on signatures.

EasyRecovery.

One of the best data recovery programs, supports a large variety of types of media. The program works in all versions new Windows: 7, 8, 10 (32/64 Bits), supports Russian.

It is impossible not to note one of the most important advantages of the program - a high degree of detection of remote files. All that can be "pulling out" from the disk, flash drives - will be presented to you and proposed to restore.

Perhaps the only minus - she is paid ...

Important! About how to return remote files In this program you can find in this article (see Part 2):

R-Studio.

One of the most popular programs for data recovery, both in our country and abroad. A large number of a wide variety of media are supported: Hard drives (HDD), solid-state disks (SSD), memory cards, flash drives, etc. The list of supported file systems is also affected: NTFS, NTFS5, Refs, Fat12 / 16/32, Exfat, etc.

The program will help in cases:

random deletion of a file from the basket (this happens sometimes ...);
formatting hard disk;
viral attack;
with a power failure of a computer (especially relevant in Russia with its "reliable" power grids);
in case of hard disk errors, with availability big number damaged sectors;
when damaged the structure (or change it) on the hard disk.

In general, a universal combine for all sorts of cases. The same minus is paid program.

REMARK! Step-by-step restoration Data in the R-Studio program:

Popular USB drive manufacturers

Collect all manufacturers in one table, of course, unreal. But all the most popular - here are accurately present :). On the manufacturer's website, it is often possible to meet not only service utilities for renovation or formatting a USB carrier, but also the utilities of significantly facilitating work: for example, programs for archival copy, assistants to prepare loaded carriers, etc.

Note! If I have bypassed someone, I propose to use tips from the instructions for restoring the USB-carrier performance :. The article describes it in detail, how and what to do to "return" a flash drive to the working condition.

This report is over. Good work and good luck!

FAT32 (from English File Allocation Table - File Placement Table) - The file system provided by Microsoft in August 1996, was designed to improve previous version Fat 16.

Conceptual improvements concern the increase in volume size up to 8 TB against 2 GB in FAT 16 and increase maximum size The file that supports the file system with 2 GB to 4 GB.

What to do users who need to carry files on the flash drive, the amount of which exceeds 4 GB?

Formatting flash drive:

Low-level formatting flash drive

Low-level formatting is used to erase information without restoring it. .

This approach is important if there were confidential data on the flash drive and you need to prevent third-party access to them.

Attention! It is important to remember that without any particular need should not be abused by this procedure.

Standard means Windows perform low-level formatting will not work, so download and install a conditionally free HDD Low Level Format utility.

To perform low-level formatting it is necessary:

Good day!

In some cases, it is necessary to perform low-level formatting of the hard disk (for example, for the "treatment" of the Fablet Sectors of HDD, well, or for complete removal All information from the drive, as an example, sell your computer and do not want someone to dig in your data).

Sometimes, such a procedure creates "Wonders", and helps to return to the life of the disk (or, for example, a flash drive, etc. devices). In this article I want to consider some questions that each user faces, who had to face a similar question. So…

1) What utility is needed for low-level HDD formatting

Despite the fact that the utilities of this kind are quite a lot, including there are specialized utilities from the disk manufacturer, I recommend using one of the best of its kind - .

HDD LLF Low Level Format Tool

Main window program

This program is easy and simply conducts low-level formatting. hDD drives and Flash cards. What bribes, even novice users will be able to use it. The program is paid, but there is a free version with limited functionality: the maximum speed of 50 MB / s.

Note. For example, for one of my "experimental" hard disk in 500 GB, it took about 2 hours to carry out low-level formatting (this is in the free version of the program). Moreover, speed sometimes fell significantly less than 50 MB / s.

Main features:

supports work with SATA, IDE, SCSI, USB, FireWire interfaces;
supports storage devices: Hitachi, Seagate, Maxtor, Samsung, Western Digital, etc.
supports Flash-card formatting when using a card reader.

When formatting data on the drive will be completely destroyed! The utility supports work with drives connected via USB and FireWire (i.e., it is possible to format and return to life even conventional USB flash drives).

With low-level formatting, the MBR and partition table will be deleted (no program will help you to restore the data, be careful!).

2) when to perform low-level formatting, from which it will help

Most often, such formatting is carried out for the following reasons:

The most common reason is to get rid of the disk from the BAD blocks (bad and not readable), which significantly worsen the performance of the hard drive. Low-level formatting allows you to give a "indication" to the hard disk so that it can discard the bad sectors (BAD-blocks), replacing their work with the backup. This significantly improves the efficiency of the disk (SATA, IDE) and increases the life of such a device.
When they want to get rid of viruses, malicious programs that cannot be removed by other methods (such, unfortunately, meet);
When they sell a computer (laptop) and do not want to have a new owner in their data;
In some cases, this must be done when you are "transplanted" with Linux to Windows;
When a flash drive (for example) is not visible in any other program, and it is impossible to record files (and in general, format it windows tools);
When connects new drive and etc.

3) an example of low-level formatting of a flash drive under Windows

Several important comments:

The hard disk is formatted in the same way as the flash drive shown in the example.
By the way, the flash drive is the usual, Chinese production. Cause of formatting: stopped being identified and displayed in my computer. However, the utility HDD LLF Low Level Format Tool has seen her and it was decided to try it to save it.
Low-level formatting can be carried out both under Windows and under DOS. Many novice users make one mistake, its essence is simple: it is impossible to format that disc from which you loaded! Those. If you have one hDD And it is installed Windows (like most) - then to start formatting this disc, you need to boot from another media, for example, with (or or a computer and already formatting from it).

And now we turn directly to the process itself. I will assume that the HDD LLF LOW LEVEL Format Tool utility has already downloaded and installed.

1. When starting the utility you will see a window with a greeting and price program. Free version Differs the speed of work, so if you are not very big Disc And they are not very much - it is quite enough for work and free option - just click "Continue for free"(Continue for free).

First Start HDD LLF Low Level Format Tool

2. Next, you will see in the list all connected and the utility funds found. Please note that there will no longer be the usual disks "C: \\", etc. Here you need to navigate the device model and the size of the drive.

For further formatting, select from the list the desired device And click the Continue Continue button (as in the screenshot below).

Choosing a drive

3. Further before you should appear a window with information about drives. Here you can find out the readings of S.m.a.r.t., learn more detailed information about the device (Device Details), and formatting - Low-Leve Format tab. It is her and choose.

To proceed with formatting - press the Format This Device button to (format the current device).

Note. If you put a box opposite the Perform Quick Wipe point - instead of low-level formatting will be produced "normal".

Low-Level Format.

4. Then the standard warning appears that all data will be deleted, check the drive again, it may be left on it. If everyone is made backups Documents from it - you can safely start ...

5. The formatting process itself should begin. At this time, you can not remove the USB flash drive (or disconnect the disk), to record it (more precisely to the recording attempt), and not to start any resource-intensive applications on the computer, it is better to leave it at all until the operation is completed. When it is completed, the green strip will reach the end and will become yellow. After that, you can close the utility.

By the way, the operation time depends on your version of the utility (paid / free), as well as on the state of the drive itself. If there are many errors on the disk, the sectors are not readable - then the formatting speed will be low and have to wait long enough ...

Formatting process ...

Formattery completed

By the way, the easiest way to format a high level is just to go to "My Computer" and right-click on the desired disc (if it is, of course, visible). In particular, my flash drive became visible after the "Operation" ...

Next will only leave to choose file System (for example NTFS, as it supports more than 4 GB files.), write the name of the disk ( tom Tag: Flash Drive, see Screenshot below) and start formatting.

After the operation done, the drive can be started using as usual modeso to speak "from pure sheet" ...

I have everything on this, Good Luck 🙂