JSI Tip 5284. What are the differences between Quick and regular format options during a clean Windows XP install?

When you perform a clean install of Windows XP, you are prompted to choose one of the following format options:

Format the partition using the NTFS file system (Quick)

Format the partition using the FAT file system (Quick)

Format the partition using the NTFS file system

Format the partition using the FAT file system

Leave the current file system intact (no changes)

When you choose a regular format option, all the files and folders are removed from the volume during the format process and the volume is scanned for bad sectors. This scan for bad sectors is responsible for the majority of time that the format takes.

When you choose a Quick format option, all the files and folders are removed from the volume during the format process, but the volume is NOT scanned for bad sectors.

Unless you have recently scanned for bad sectors in your previous operating system, you should NOT choose the Quick format option.

If you did choose the Quick format option, open a CMD prompt and type:

chkdsk /R

where is the drive letter where Windows XP is installed.

Type Y when prompted to perform the scan when Windows is started. Shutdown and restart your computer.