How long should it take to format a 1.5Tb disc?

[fivesixseven8]

I put a new WD WD15EARS Caviar Green disc in my machine yesterday and set a full NTFS format going around 8pm last night. Just checked it while making coffee and it's only on 80%!

Is this right? I've never known a disc take this long. I'm using the Vista Disc Management tool to do the format.

[wiffmaster]

Assuming you're doing a full format, then it's pretty standard that it'll take that long on a drive of that size. Most of the time is spent scanning for bad sectors, which a quick scan doesn't bother with. Since it was a brand new drive, there shouldn't be any bad sectors and you probably could have risked a quick format. If you're not in a hurry though, full format is always best.

Edited by wiffmaster on Monday 15th February 08:29

[scorp]

I have a 1.5tb usb harddrive and noticed it reserved about 60gb or so in NTFS.

[fivesixseven8]

wiffmaster said:

Assuming you're doing a full format, then it's pretty standard that it'll take that long on a drive of that size. Most of the time is spent scanning for bad sectors, which a quick scan doesn't bother with. Since it was a brand new drive, there shouldn't be any bad sectors and you probably could have risked a quick format. If you're not in a hurry though, full format is always best.

Edited by wiffmaster on Monday 15th February 08:29

Thanks. I've shown SWMBO how to keep checking it so will see how it goes today. I was just concerned as I only have 48 hours to report it as DOA.

[fivesixseven8]

It transpires that the problem was caused by an issue with the nvidia mobo drivers. Lots of them have issues when working with discs above 1.1TB.

Have updated drivers and the disc is now formatted and recognised.