Reformat hard drive - Quick or Normal

Question

When performing a clean install of Windows XP, it asks you to choose to delete an exisiting partition, then goes to a 'Do you want to format this space' screen. You then have a choice of quick format or normal format. Normal is highlighted by default. Which is best to use? Is there a difference besides quick is faster?

SR45 · Answer

Always go for the Normal.  That guarantees a good reformat, and reinstallation.   Heard not too long ago on this forum, someone doing the quick install and things just didn't work well.

jmwills · Answer

I've done about 50 this year and always opt for the quick and have had zero problems.

hrova · Answer

How significant is the time difference, say on a 30 gb hd?

SR45 · Answer

@jmwills wrote: I've done about 50 this year and always opt for the quick and have had zero problems. That's about 1.3 times a week for this year alone....  :smileyvery-happy:

rickmktg · Answer

@hrova wrote: How significant is the time difference, say on a 30 gb hd? 15 minutes or less.

Windows General

Reformat hard drive - Quick or Normal

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