What app can be used to perform a low level format

[FireBYTE]

I have an old usb hdd and Im trying to fix it by running a low level format. A regular format will not work. The problem started after using windows to run a format on the drive. Its a mini usb hdd. A low level format may not work either as Ive read somewhere that the firmware is sometimes saved on the disc platters and if so then I guess Im screwed cuase I cant find any firmware for this drive anywhere. Its a WD Passport Pocket. Not really worth the time I guess but now I'm just interested to see if it can be done.

[jayd512]

Hello and Welcome!
Provided the drive is detected properly, this isn't hard to do. Connect your drive, open a terminal, and do:

dd if=/dev/zero of=/dev/<target device>

This will write a zeros to every bit of the device. Alternatively, you could write a mix of zeros and ones by doing:
dd if=/dev/urandom of=/dev/<target device>
So if you're USB drive is detected as sdb, that's your target device.
Either way, this may take a while. But when it's finished, everything will be completely overwritten on that device. The truly paranoid may want to do this multiple times.

*NOTE*
Be extremely careful when executing these commands! A typo here could render your system unbootable, perhaps irreparable.

[FireBYTE]

I did try that one but wasn't sure if it was just a normal format or what. Throws an IO error. I'm guessing the drive is just shot. If I could just find the firmware that might work. I looked into using sg_raw to load it but I cant find it anywhere.

[jayd512]

Make sure that the drive isn't mounted when you try to format.
You could also try using GParted. It's included in most distros. If not, you can download it here.

[FireBYTE]

Thanks for the suggestion. I made sure the drive was unmounted but nogo. It's gotta be the firmware. I broke the drive after performing a format using windows xp so it has to have something to do with the format. As i said I found an article that states western digital drive sometime store part of the firmware on the platters. I just wish I could find the firmware. I've already tried every tool western digital provides for things like this. Anyway I appreciate the help. Guess it's time to throw this thing away. Oh well I did learn a few things along the way atleast.