It is very common to confuse these two terms in computing , taking into account that both sound very similar, but each one performs totally different functions.
This doubt or confusion between what is reset and format is basically because in the world of mobile phones, the hard reset It is known as a function to delete all and leave the phone as factory default. It is basically treated as a formatting , which makes both functions look the same.
However, in computers all this changes, since in this area the difference between the two is well marked. That is, resetting is like rebooting and formatting is deleting everything . To do this, here we show you a little more each of these terms.
Index:
What is a computer reset and when should it be done?
Especially in the world of computers and laptops the term of reset is frequently used, which has the main function to clean the system > before any type of error that is preventing its proper functioning. In this way, the team may return to normal or in that case to its initial state before the failure occurs.
Usually, every time a fault occurs, the internal mechanism of the computer tries to recover, in the event that it takes a long time and fails to exit it, then the program or system stops for complete . In this case the computer begins to work slowly reaching an impossible point to handle and that forces a reset.
It is recommended to perform this process mainly when there are problems such as the blue screens of death in Windows, that are commonly caused by driver errors when Windows starts working very slowly and is not able to recover, or some software specifically that presents difficulties for its operation.
What is computer formatting and when should it be done?
When we talk about the term format we refer to what is “format the disk”. In this case it is a process that is carried out by the hand of the hard disk, and which aims to eliminate everything that is inside the storage unit. It may be causing a device operation error .
Usually, you can erase everything leaving the machine completely zero or simply erase some parts of the disk. The most common is to remove from healthy installations of the operating system to those with affected or damaged files.
Therefore, you can say that formatting is basically bringing the device back to its factory state or its initial configuration , where the drive is left completely empty and clean to install any software on it . This allows you to erase everything that has been affecting the system and in the same way prepare the computer to work properly.
It is important to mention that there are two types of formatting:
- The first one is low level, where the unit is left completely clean as factory
- The high level that causes all data to be lost, removed all those disabled files and all references.
That is, does not erase everything , but allows to maintain or recover some external programs. However, this will depend more on user requirements and equipment failures.
How to know when my computer needs to be formatted? Symptoms
Formatting is completely erasing the information in the storage unit of a computer . On many occasions some backup of the most important files is made for users to avoid their loss.
This process should generally be carried out every time the computer exhibits some of the following symptoms:
- When the system is unstable or a total installation of the operating system is warranted.
- If presence is suspected of viruses that cannot be destroyed.
- The computer is working very slowly.
- To remove junk files on your hard drive that cannot be easily erased.
- Lets you clean the system of any type of error that is affecting PC performance.
Carrying out this process will basically help you rejuvenate your hard drive , which is why a system that is freshly formatted and installed will be much more fast than those who already have some time (weeks or months).