Hi Xzapno_Mapcase,
There are two ways to initialize a hard disk, a simple initialization (often referred to as a "high level format") and a complete reformatting (often referred to as a "low level format").
A simple initialization would be the same as if you selected "Erase Disk" from the Special menu in the Finder. After you did that, the disk would appear to be empty. Actually however, simple initialization doesn't erase all of the data on the disk. The reason you wouldn't be able to see it anymore is because the initialization process erases the original directory files and creates new ones. The information that was in the original files is, of course, lost.
On the other hand, when you do a "low level format", the entire disk is actually erased; your data is no longer on the disk. The disk is truly reformatted. That is, the various tracks and sectors are redrawn, new directory files are created, and a new driver is written to the disk. For that reason, low level formatting is sometimes referred to as "physical" formatting. A low level format also checks for bad blocks and maps out any it finds.
BTW - Beginning with Drive Setup 1.7, the low level format option for all ATA drives has been disabled. See Apple's TIL
#24981.
Hope this helps,
Art
[This message has been edited by Art D (edited 02-03-2001).]
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