I saw the option of low-level format in httoolbox on the A2091 install disk. I"m assuming that process will map out bad blocks automatically if I select it?
Quoting Jope 10 years ago:
If your disk accrues bad sectors, a low level format will attempt to mask those out.
For an IDE disk, the HD vendors provide the software for this (bootable floppy/cd image for a PC). Do not do it with hdtoolbox. For a SCSI disk, the hdtoolbox will start the lowlevel format, but most modern drives will probably ignore the command anyway.
But if you get visible bad sectors on a modern drive, it's too late already! The drive has run out of spare sectors to do on-the-fly remapping. If you have some bad sectors, the number will just increase over time, so it's best to back it up immediately and then use a hammer to smash the failing drive into little pieces (or return it if it has some warranty left :-).
So: don't lowlevel format modern drives, you will only get a short term benefit and this benefit will come ONLY when done with the correct tools.
If you decide to disregard all this advice and do it anyway, be prepared to wait for several hours (5-10 or more!) for it to complete.
