??? Is there a way to format a new hdd that I've attached via usb?

[Talahasee]

??? Is there a way to format a new hdd that I've attached
via usb?

I recently installed a 200 Gb, then a week later, got my 80
Gb RMAd. When I tried to set up the 80 as an external
(enclosure/usb), it wouldn't format.

I had to remove the side of the case, disconnect my C:, and
format the 80 (external) as if it were my C:.

Once I got the 1st half (partitioned as 2 drives)
partitioned and formatted, I reinstalled C: (cabled), and
then was able to format the 2nd partition on the external.

Seems like a lot of trouble.

Can a brand new/out of the box hdd (say a 100 or 160 or 200)
be cabled as an external (usb), and partitioned and
formatted w/o having to make the computer think it's a C: ?

How do I do this?

TIA

Tallahassee

 

[Guest]

Enter diskmgmt.msc in the Start => Run box to bring up Disk Management.

The drive should be given a space there with the other drives, and you
should be able to partition and format if from there by right-clicking on its
space.

Eric,
PC Buyer Beware!
http://www.pcbuyerbeware.co.uk/

 

[Andre]

You have to initialize it in disk management before you can format it, but
it will be listed there.