HDL_Dump vs. WinHIIP (Formatting HDD & Installing/Removing Games)

[ps2dragon]

I got my 300GB back from Seagate and now have to install all my games again. Last time I used WinHIIP 1.7.6 to install everything, but never attempted to remove any games, since I knew there were/are issues with handling free space, etc. In this post, Vegeta says that "WinHIIP doesn't properly use fragmented space", but HDL_Dump does. I've always used WinHIIP, but am now interested in HDL_Dump if it's more stable. When testing out HDL_Dump, there is a way to format the drive and prepare it for HDLoader, but it's a "quick-and-dirty prepare HDD for HD Loader" method. It took only a second to run this command, so I assume it's just doing a quick format? I was thinking of using WinHIIP to do a full format, and then use HDL_Dump to install and manage all my games, but isn't there a compatibility issue between these two programs, meaning if you use one, you shouldn't use the other one, or is that only regarding installing/removing games after the HDD has been formatted?

Also does this "quick-and-dirty prepare HDD for HD Loader" method in HDL_Dump create all the default partitions at the default sizes?

EDIT: After testing on my 20GB, I found that HDL_Dump will remove all partitions and create partition __mbr (128MB) using the command 'hdl_dump initialize hdd3:' (note hdd3: is my 20GB), but still looking for an answer on my other questions above, anyone?

[alucard_x]

why do you care what the format does. just format it in HDL and install games and enjoy.

[Lusanagi]

I have used both programs on the same HDD, (I still like WinHiip)
I read that there were issues in early versions, but now both apps are compatible

[b081]

IMHO, the best/proper way is to format your HDD using HD Loader itself and then use a program of your choice. hdl_dump creates only mbr partition and you might miss some features of dev-enabled mod-chips or some homebrew.

[ps2dragon]

@Lusanagi: Reading about issues and actually experiencing them are two different things. I need someone who has had experience with games not working or were getting corrupted sectors/files and how they over came these issues.

@b081: Well only having the __mbr partition is all I really need. What features are you referring to? As far as I know, the only reason to have these extra partitions is for online play used with a game that actually uses these special partitions. I've never used or have had any reason to use these extra partitions in the past year I've had my 300GB HDD, since I never play any online games. The only partition I would have interest in using is the __boot partition, but I can live without it.

I need someone to reply who has had issues in the past after removing or adding games, what method they were using, and which method they are now using which they haven't had any issues with. Preferably, I would like to hear from someone who has been using a bigger drive and after many adding and deleting of games, still hasn't had any issues. This would help me greatly, since I don't have the time to go through installing all my games, and then find out later I have to reformat and start all over again...

[Lusanagi]

sorry for the incomplete answer

I have used both (as I stated) and NEVER had problems

I only added the past incompatibility issue, but when I started using an HDD, that was long gone

[kidman64]

i used winhiip to format my hdd, and then i was using hdl_dump and i never had any problems

[ps2dragon]

i used winhiip to format my hdd, and then i was using hdl_dump and i never had any problems

So you're saying you are able to remove and add games in HDL_Dump without any issues, and you have done this often without having to reformat? What size HDD do you use?

[kidman64]

that's exactly the case hdl_dump as no fragmentation issues as far as i can tell. i use 40GB hdd, so i have to upload and delete games quite often

[ps2dragon]

that's exactly the case hdl_dump as no fragmentation issues as far as i can tell. i use 40GB hdd, so i have to upload and delete games quite often

Thanks Kidman, this is exactly how I want to setup my HDD also, since I don't trust the quick format method in HDL_Dump. I just hope there are still no issues for HDDs above the 137GB limit, so guess I'll have to test this part myself.