How to format/partition

[TERRY]

Hi group
Please forgive me (mature student) if I am in the wrong NG here.
I have a desktop PC running XP SP2 and a laptop running same OS.
I wish to prepare a spare 20gig 2.5" HD to use in a USB external case for
storing files etc from above PC's.
I have a 3.5" to 2.5" adaptor to enable me to connect the 2.5" HD to the
desktop PC.....then fdisk/format etc? by removing riibon and power from my
Main PC's C: drive, then onto the adaptor.
I need to know exactly how to do it please.
I assume I need an OS on 2.5"?
I already have a USB 2.5" HD in use but near full, hence preparing
another...I did not prepare the current 2.5" HD as it came "ready to use"
for external caddy.
I have tried Fdisk followed by formatting (automatic as Cthis new HD but
it is not recognised by any PC!!!!......the C: drive is already on th 2 PC's
I suspect it may be the (C part I am in error with?
TIA
Terry

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Hi group
Please forgive me (mature student) if I am in the wrong NG here.
I have a desktop PC running XP SP2 and a laptop running same OS.
I wish to prepare a spare 20gig 2.5" HD to use in a USB external case for
storing files etc from above PC's.
I have a 3.5" to 2.5" adaptor to enable me to connect the 2.5" HD to the
desktop PC.....then fdisk/format etc? by removing riibon and power from my
Main PC's C: drive, then onto the adaptor.
I need to know exactly how to do it please.
I assume I need an OS on 2.5"?
I already have a USB 2.5" HD in use but near full, hence preparing
another...I did not prepare the current 2.5" HD as it came "ready to use"
for external caddy.
I have tried Fdisk followed by formatting (automatic as Cthis new HD but
it is not recognised by any PC!!!!......the C: drive is already on th 2
PC's
I suspect it may be the (C part I am in error with?
TIA
Terry

Fdisk.exe is a Windows 98 command. It does not exist under WinXP.
In Windows XP you do this:
1. Connect your disk.
2. Make sure that the BIOS recognises it.
3. Start Windows.
4. Click Start / Run / diskmgmt.msc
5. Locate the 2.5" disk.
6. Partition and format it.

 

[Terry]

Thank you for quick response.
I used win98se floppy boot disk to fdisk/format disk.

How do I "get BIOS" to recognise drive?

"connect disk"......Tried 2 methods to connect drive:
a) via 3.5" to 2.5" adaptor...booted to a dos prompt only
b) via drive in external USB cradle.....not shown in any browser/manage
disk.
Neither one recognised the drive.

I am able to enter BIOS ok, if you can guide me to get the hd recognised?

Regards

Terry

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

On many PCs you press the Delete key to get into the BIOS.
If this does not work on your PC then you need to read the
manual that came with it.

If you can get into the BIOS and if your BIOS does not
recognise the disk that is connected via the 2.5"/IDE adapter
then you need to ask a hardware newsgroup for advice. It is
obviously not a Windows problem.

 

[DL]

Generally you insert your hd in the external case, then simply plug the usb
connector into you running winxp PC.
You should get a taskbar notification that a device has been detected.
Then you open Disk Management and format / prepare the disk there.

There should be no need to go to a dos prompt or alter your bios settings.
Most external case hd's require no extra drivers to be installed

 

[Anna]

On many PCs you press the Delete key to get into the BIOS.
If this does not work on your PC then you need to read the
manual that came with it.

If you can get into the BIOS and if your BIOS does not
recognise the disk that is connected via the 2.5"/IDE adapter
then you need to ask a hardware newsgroup for advice. It is
obviously not a Windows problem.

Terry:
First of all, assuming I correctly understand your objective, which seems
simple enough...

I would really forget about using the DOS FDISK/FORMAT commands to achieve
your objective.

You have a laptop-type 2 1/2" HDD which you're planning to use as a
secondary HDD. In connection with your desktop PC you're planning to use
that 20 GB HDD as a backup/storage device installed in a USB external
enclosure.

Since that 20 GB HDD is obviously an older HDD, I assume it presently has
data of one sort or another on it. Are you reasonably certain that the HDD
is non-defective? Did you just uninstall that drive from one of your laptops
where it was functioning without problems?

To answer one of your questions, you do not need an OS - XP or any other
OS - on that HDD if it is to be used as a secondary HDD which presumably is
your intention.

Assuming the disk is non-defective there should be no problem in installing
it in a USB enclosure designed for 2 1/2" drives, connecting it to your
desktop PC, and should you want, partition & format the HDD by using XP's
Disk Management utility.

I realize you've stated that you did in fact install the 2 1/2" drive in a
USB enclosure but that it wasn't recognized by the system.
Are you absolutely certain you properly installed the HDD in its USB
enclosure and that you've properly connected the device to your desktop PC?
Did you try a different USB cable?
Are you reasonably certain the USB enclosure is non-defective?
Did you try connecting and powering-up (assuming the USB enclosure has its
own power supply) the device both *before* bootup and *after* bootup?

There has been & continues to be a nagging problem with the XP OS
recognizing USB devices, particularly USB external HDDs. Anyway, check out
the above.
Anna