+- Support Forums (https://www.supportforums.net)
+-- Forum: Categories (https://www.supportforums.net/forumdisplay.php?fid=87)
+--- Forum: Computer Support Topics (https://www.supportforums.net/forumdisplay.php?fid=4)
+---- Forum: PC Hardware Help and Desktop Support (https://www.supportforums.net/forumdisplay.php?fid=9)
+---- Thread: How long does a full format take? (/showthread.php?tid=20002)
How long does a full format take? - Annuit Coeptis - 06-27-2011
I recently decided to encrypt the data on my external HDD but I ran into some errors because of some bad sectors and I had to quit. Unfortunately, quitting left my HDD in a RAW file system format so I just decided to do a full format because that will fix all the bad sectors and restore my HDD to good as new. (I have all my data backed up.)
I started the full format process and it has been running for close to thirty hours now. Windows doesn't give you an estimated remaining time or anything during a reformat, just this:
![[Image: qxryw0.jpg]](http://i51.tinypic.com/qxryw0.jpg)
Based on my crude process of measuring the distance of the solid part of the bar and comparing it to the total bar I calculated that it will take about 7 days to reformat the hdd. Is this reasonable?
specs
HDD
These are the specs for the HDD
PC specs
- 3 GB RAM
- 1.66 GHz intel cpu
- win 7
RE: How long does a full format take? - #Reality - 06-27-2011
You're just trying to reinstall Windows?
RE: How long does a full format take? - Annuit Coeptis - 06-27-2011
(06-27-2011, 12:56 PM)BLX Wrote: You're just trying to reinstall Windows?
No, I am trying to format a hard drive. It is external.
RE: How long does a full format take? - --joker-- - 06-28-2011
You can't do anything about it, all you have to do is to wait.In the past when I had 166GB on HDD,I had to wait about 1 hour and a half to format, and this HDD was internal.I guess the externals format in a longer time.
RE: How long does a full format take? - Black Ghost - 06-28-2011
Depending on the computer, it varies.
It could take a little 5 minutes, or it could take a couple of hours.
RE: How long does a full format take? - Dr.BrokenGod - 06-29-2011
(06-28-2011, 08:40 PM)Black Ghost Wrote: Depending on the computer, it varies.
It could take a little 5 minutes, or it could take a couple of hours.
Exactly! I have a pretty good computer so it takes me like 20 minutes for a 500 GB HDD
RE: How long does a full format take? - Omniscient - 06-29-2011
A drive that size can take days.
Also try Drive Wipe which comes with ccleaner.
RE: How long does a full format take? - Dr.BrokenGod - 06-29-2011
(06-29-2011, 03:11 PM)Omniscient Wrote: A drive that size can take days.
Also try Drive Wipe which comes with ccleaner.
Again all depending on PC spec but if you take a look at the CPU OP has and in case he doesn't use the PC while he formats it could take him a week time!
RE: How long does a full format take? - Annuit Coeptis - 07-01-2011
Jeez, alright. All I can do is wait. I am so impatient. The power better not go out or anything. haha
RE: How long does a full format take? - Injection - 07-01-2011
takes anywhere near 4-8 hours