a real "low-level format" ? for purely informational purposes, is done by the factory. The program that I've used (Maxtor) is labeled such. And I'm not so "precise" as to require the difference between 0's and 1's to be cared about. Since positives or negatives are (in this instance) not a requirement for the disk being in a state that is uniformly one or the other.
It makes no difference at all.
As for the Partition Magic and Ghost comment, read what I typed. It's self-explanatory. If not, just let me know and I'll explain what the sequence of words means in English.
Regarding the "put things on a disk" comment I made. Use PM before you make a statement like that. You'll find that it does indeed put info on the disk that is NOT a part of Windows.
Also, in point of fact, there are times when windows will not let you format a disk when you want to. I've found that at times like those a (Maxtor's version of reality) low-level format, will enable such to be performed. I, after the first time, usually label such a format as "driving a wooden stake through it's heart". As nothing is on that disk afterwards. And short of having the gov'mt after me, is sufficient for my purposes.
As for my (admittedly) eccentricity of "low-level formatting" a new disk. It grew out of a purchase of a HD with something on it that shouldn't have been on a "new" disk. It costs only a few cents worth of electricity to do so (along with a few hours overnight) and eliminates any possibility of problems.
And, once you get used to having a pristine disk to use, you'll never use anything else.