Should I choose 'Format' or 'Format (Quick)' when installing Windows XP?

When installing Windows XP, there is a prompt for formatting the disk. What is the difference between an NTFS 'format', and an NTFS 'format (Quick)'?

Solution 1:

It depends.

If it's a disk that has been working fine, just use the quick format, otherwise I'd do a full format, which also scans for bad sectors.

More info here: KB302686.

Solution 2:

I always use quick format.

There is just no reason for a long format in modern harddisk, since writing each block to zero won't do any good to "fix" any actual harddisk problems. These days, harddisk either work, or it needs to send it for RMA, or just dump it.