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Comparing two Seagate 7200.7+ (different performance when formatting)

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by Christer, 2005/11/22.

  1. 2005/11/22
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    Hello all!

    A few days ago, I discussed a Seagate ST3160023A in this post. Initially it was reported to have twice the expected space (a single partition and approximately the same space unallocated) and it had to be corrected using DELPART. At a later time (after posting the quoted post), I created a single primary partition, using all space and full formated it NTFS. It took 1 hour and 43 minutes.

    Last Sunday, I picked up a new Seagate ST3160023A at my friends home to prepare it for installation. (The plan is to install both in his computer but I don't want to spend unneccesary time there waiting for a format.) I put it in my mobile rack and created a single partition and full formated it NTFS. It took 59 minutes.

    I was surprised at the time it took to format the first one but the time to format the second one was food for thought. I downloaded SeaTools to check the drives and the results are quoted below:

    The drives have different firmware and it seems like there has been some development but the difference in time to format is out of proportion. Is it possible that the difference is due to the different firmware?

    Can I, with my conscience intact, sell or even give the old drive to my friend?

    I searched Seagate's homepage for a firmware update but in their own words, quoted from How do I find out what firmware version I have on my drive? :

    If there is an improved firmware version, why is it not made available?

    Thanks for your time,
    Christer
     
    Christer,
    #1
  2. 2005/11/23
    mattman

    mattman Inactive Alumni

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    Hello Christer, looks like you and me again :D

    The "difference" I take it that you are referring to is the time it took for formatting. Formatting is resetting the file indexing system, so unless the two drives were totally identical, yes, I would expect a difference in the time it takes to reformat. I have had drives format at all different rates, some that I could not really understand, the drives work perfectly well though.

    There is a small difference in the average DMA transfer rate, but nothing that would concern me.

    You have repartitioned and formatted, but there may still be minor errors in the boot sector. If you are concerned you could do a low-level (zero) format. This will completely wipe the drive and maybe good because you do not know the history of the boot sector. After you zero format, you will need to use the Seagate tools to form new partitions (I doubt any other utility will "see" the drive). I think you know...do not install the DDO. From memory, you just need to tell it to form partitions "for Windows XP ". You could repartition with the Win XP CD after that if you do not like the way it has been done.

    I think the difference in firmware revisions would not be significant (they may be just changes in "factory only" settings). In one of the old posts we found that two drives with the same model number had been made on different sides of the planet.

    I don't think you have any cause for alarm, although I would "clean out" that boot sector by zero formatting.

    Matt
     
    mattman,
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  4. 2005/11/24
    Christer

    Christer Geek Member Staff Thread Starter

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    Hi Matt!

    Yes, it's the two of us again. We never give up, do we?

    Yes, I referred to the time to format. My two 120 GB Hitachi 7K250 have different firmware but they took the same time to full format (within a minute or so).

    I let DELPART loose on it and it wipes the MBR. You're right that I don't know the history of the drive. I will ask about it. It was not "dynamic" but I don't know if it has been in a RAID system or if that would have any effect. (I don't think so. Does a drive even "know" that it is RAIDed? The controller does but not the drive, right?)

    I posted the same question over at Storage Review and one member responded:

    I don't think that I have anything to worry about ...... :cool: ...... especially since it is going into my friends computer ...... :D ...... but I will keep myself informed on its performance.

    Christer
     
    Christer,
    #3

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