what are the advantages of doing a long format over a quick one?

Question

i opted for the long one but its only done 19% in half an hour

Answer 1

from microsoft, link here: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=302686

This article describes the differences between a Quick format and a regular format.
MORE INFORMATION
When you choose to run a regular format on a volume, files are removed from the volume that you are formatting and the hard disk is scanned for bad sectors. The scan for bad sectors is responsible for the majority of the time that it takes to format a volume.

If you choose the Quick format option, format removes files from the partition, but does not scan the disk for bad sectors. Only use this option if your hard disk has been previously formatted and you are sure that your hard disk is not damaged.

If you installed Windows XP on a partition that was formatted by using the Quick format option, you can also check your disk by using the chkdsk /r command after the installation of Windows XP is completed.

Answer 2

The slow format does a lot better job than the quick format.

Answer 3

You should do a long format (slow formatting) especially in new hard disk, quick format is good only if you already formatted the disk previously and the purpose is just to quick erase all the datas in it..

Answer 4

in a nutshell, a quick format only cleans the file tables. if you have a brand new harddrive, you can only full format because this builds the file table from scratch

Answer 5

quick formats are junk. Always go with the full format so that your format gets done correctly.

Answer 6

because it properly cleans the hard and doesn't leave any files on the harddrive like a quick format would...

Answer 7

long format marks bad sectors in your hard drive while the other do not.
your machine must be slow.
it does not take more than half hour in my computer!

Answer 8

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/302686

check it out