SRS -

Theoretically, if you do a full format (not the "Quick" version) the Format should mark any sectors with defects and exclude them. This isn't always 100% though.

After you get the drive formatted (and preferably before you start putting stuff on it) in Windows Explorer right click on the drive and click properties. On the Tools tab, you should find an entry "Check for Errors." The "tool" that runs here is roughly equivalent to the old ScanDisk tool that you probably remember from ancient times, and should detect any bad sectors and exclude them from use.

Note that since the test has to read each occupied sector, write it back, and then re-read it, or write a test fill and read it back for every sector on the disk, it is not an instant test. Allow for at least twice as long as it took to do the format - although it may be a little quicker than that.

John