Aborting a low-level format?

Docano

At the moment a 250 gig HD is being low-leveled on my computer. After it began, I did the math and calculated it was going to take 20 hours to do. It's a favor for a friend, and I really don't want to have a low-level running for 20 hours on my comp when tehre's stuff I should be doing on it. Is it safe to use the low-level's Abort option? Will it hurt to stop it before it's finished?

Stranger

Maybe? I LL formatted a 200GB WD drive and cancelled it halfway through because it was taking so long. Eventually I got around to starting it and letting it complete which took about 48 hours (I have no idea why). The drive died 2 weeks later. I LL formatted another 200GB WD drive and let it complete, without interrupting it and its been running fine since (for about 2 months now). That's my experience with it.

danball1976

Why would you LLF a hard drive in the first place. Doing so is very hard on the drive.

Why not do a regular complete format?

Docano

Don't ask me why. I learned my lesson with my buddy's drive not to do it again on any of mine unless in dire need.

To update, a guy on another forum said that it's safe to stop a low-level in progress as long as you do it before the very last 1% is being done. Dunno why, but it sounded good to me so I stopped it at about 2%, formatted it, and it seems to be working fine.

Thanks for the replies.

Cyber13

Better just to write zero's to the drive, it's my understanding that doing so will get rid of any viruses that may "live through" a standard format. Low level format was onece the way to do this but newer drives ( ones made in the last few years) should not be done. That is what I heard. This is only "here say" but dude seemed to know his stuff.

Tex

But for gods sake... You don't Low Level to get rid of a virus? The only reason to low level is to mark out bad sectors and recertify the drive.

Tex