Unable to format a hard disk, is it dead?

[Stegozor]

Hi everyone,

I'm having a serious problem with my hard disk drive (20 Gb, brand
Maxtor). Recently I made several things on it, like installing Ubuntu
4.01 Warty (with Grub as bootloader), removing Ubuntu, partitioning it
using FreeFDISK from a boot diskette and so on. But right now, I can't
format it. The formatting correctly begins, but around 15% I get the
message ''Not ready'' (in fact, ''non pret'' in French) and the
formatting process aborts. I tried to make several partitions in order
to isolate this location, but it seems that there are other places with
the same problem.

Windows Millenium refuses to install, explaining that the formatting
doesn't work. My question is: What could be the origin of the problem ?
Can I save the hard disk, and if it's possible could you please explain
how?

Right now, the only solution I found to post this message is to boot
from the live CD of Ubuntu and to post from Google...

 

[Rod Speed]

I'm having a serious problem with my hard disk drive (20 Gb, brand
Maxtor). Recently I made several things on it, like installing Ubuntu
4.01 Warty (with Grub as bootloader), removing Ubuntu, partitioning it
using FreeFDISK from a boot diskette and so on. But right now, I can't
format it. The formatting correctly begins, but around 15% I get the
message ''Not ready'' (in fact, ''non pret'' in French) and the
formatting process aborts. I tried to make several partitions in order
to isolate this location, but it seems that there are other places
with the same problem.

Windows Millenium refuses to install, explaining that the formatting
doesn't work. My question is: What could be the origin of the problem ?

Either the drive has died or what you are using to format it with
is useless and is getting confused by the way its partitioned.

Try wiping the drive with clearhdd from
http://www.samsung.com/Products/HardDiskDrive/utilities/clearhdd.htm
and then formatting it again.

Can I save the hard disk, and if it's possible could you please explain how?

See above.

Right now, the only solution I found to post this message is
to boot from the live CD of Ubuntu and to post from Google...

You could try wiping the drive usng ubuntu.

 

[philo]

Hi everyone,

I'm having a serious problem with my hard disk drive (20 Gb, brand
Maxtor). Recently I made several things on it, like installing Ubuntu
4.01 Warty (with Grub as bootloader), removing Ubuntu, partitioning it
using FreeFDISK from a boot diskette and so on. But right now, I can't
format it. The formatting correctly begins, but around 15% I get the

go to Maxtor's website and download their disk diagnostic utility
and run it.
if it says the drive is bad...no sense in going any further...
since it's a 20 gig...it must be fairly old anyway

 

[kony]

Hi everyone,

I'm having a serious problem with my hard disk drive (20 Gb, brand
Maxtor). Recently I made several things on it, like installing Ubuntu
4.01 Warty (with Grub as bootloader), removing Ubuntu, partitioning it
using FreeFDISK from a boot diskette and so on. But right now, I can't
format it.

Can't format it with what, exactly?

The formatting correctly begins, but around 15% I get the
message ''Not ready'' (in fact, ''non pret'' in French) and the
formatting process aborts. I tried to make several partitions in order
to isolate this location, but it seems that there are other places with
the same problem.

We can't see what you can of the system so I have to ask,
are you sure the cables are good, as are the power
connections, the rest of the system in general, and that the
drive is jumpered correctly?

If so, boot the Maxtor diagnostics floppy and test the
drive. How are you making these partitions? I suggest
using the most generic way, with a DOS7 (like Win98)
bootdisk, then of course rebooting and formatting with the
included Win98 bootdisk (DOS) format program.

Windows Millenium refuses to install, explaining that the formatting
doesn't work.

No point trying to install Windows if the formatting doesn't
complete.

My question is: What could be the origin of the problem ?
Can I save the hard disk, and if it's possible could you please explain
how?

Right now, the only solution I found to post this message is to boot
from the live CD of Ubuntu and to post from Google...

Don't use Linux to partition or format, if you were, use the
Win9x/DOS bootdisk.

 

[Stegozor]

Either the drive has died or what you are using to format it with

FORMAT command from the boot diskette created by Windows Millenium, on
which I replaced FDISK by FreeFDISK ( http://www.23cc.com/free-fdisk/ ,
just to see how it "looks". )

is useless and is getting confused by the way its partitioned.

I was fearing that the partitioning might be the origin of the
problems. In fact, I hope it is, as this would mean that the disk is
not dead.

Try wiping the drive with clearhdd from
http://www.samsung.com/Products/HardDiskDrive/utilities/clearhdd.htm
and then formatting it again.

Yeah, but as I can't use nor reinstall Windows, using such a software
is not easy right now. If everything goes wrong, I'll probably get
another hard disk and mount it.

You could try wiping the drive usng ubuntu.

Tomorrow, I'll record the iso of the latest ubuntu, I hope the install
process will help. I'll put the feedback here.

 

[Stegozor]

Can't format it with what, exactly?

FORMAT command from the boot diskette created by Windows Millenium on
which I replaced FDISK by FreeFDISK. Note that I created several
partitions in order to insulate what I supposed to be some kind of bad
sector, and some of these little partitions were formatted properly.
Others, though, returned the "Not ready" error after a while during the
formatting process.

We can't see what you can of the system so I have to ask,
are you sure the cables are good, as are the power
connections, the rest of the system in general, and that the
drive is jumpered correctly?

I think so, as I didn't touch any of what you mention above and the
disk has been properly functionning until a few days ago.

If so, boot the Maxtor diagnostics floppy and test the
drive. How are you making these partitions? I suggest
using the most generic way, with a DOS7 (like Win98)
bootdisk, then of course rebooting and formatting with the
included Win98 bootdisk (DOS) format program.


No point trying to install Windows if the formatting doesn't
complete.

Right, but when I ran out of solutions, I tried to boot from the
Windows Me CD-ROM and see whether installation of Windows would fix the
issue. It didn't. Just a desperate attempt.

Don't use Linux to partition or format, if you were, use the
Win9x/DOS bootdisk.

Already tried this, without success, so I'm planning to use the latest
Ubuntu GNU/Linux CD. If that doesn't work either, then I'll have to get
another hard disk and use the utilities mentioned in this thread. If
you have another suggestion, if course I'd be pleased to hear about it.


Anyway, thanks for the three answers.

 

[Rod Speed]

(e-mail address removed) wrote

kony wrote

FORMAT command from the boot diskette created by Windows Millenium
on which I replaced FDISK by FreeFDISK. Note that I created several
partitions in order to insulate what I supposed to be some kind of bad sector,

That is almost certainly why the format failed, you have another bad sector.

Its pointless trying to partition around bad sectors,
more will inevitably show up since the drive is dying.

and some of these little partitions were formatted properly. Others, though,
returned the "Not ready" error after a while during the formatting process.

Because of a bad sector.

Yep, when the drive is dying, as this one obviously is,
you will get new bad sectors showing up over time.

I think so, as I didn't touch any of what you mention above and
the disk has been properly functionning until a few days ago.

No it wasnt, you had bad sectors.

Because of the bad sectors.

Right, but when I ran out of solutions, I tried to boot from the
Windows Me CD-ROM and see whether installation of Windows
would fix the issue. It didn't. Just a desperate attempt.

Yep, once the drive has bad sectors, its time to replace it.

Already tried this, without success, so I'm planning to use the latest
Ubuntu GNU/Linux CD. If that doesn't work either, then I'll have to
get another hard disk and use the utilities mentioned in this thread.
If you have another suggestion, if course I'd be pleased to hear about it.

Just replace the hard drive with a good one.

 

[paulmd]

Hi everyone,

I'm having a serious problem with my hard disk drive (20 Gb, brand
Maxtor). Recently I made several things on it, like installing Ubuntu
4.01 Warty (with Grub as bootloader), removing Ubuntu, partitioning it
using FreeFDISK from a boot diskette and so on. But right now, I can't
format it. The formatting correctly begins, but around 15% I get the
message ''Not ready'' (in fact, ''non pret'' in French) and the
formatting process aborts. I tried to make several partitions in order
to isolate this location, but it seems that there are other places with
the same problem.

Windows Millenium refuses to install, explaining that the formatting
doesn't work. My question is: What could be the origin of the problem ?
Can I save the hard disk, and if it's possible could you please explain
how?

Right now, the only solution I found to post this message is to boot
from the live CD of Ubuntu and to post from Google...

The version of fdisk that came with windows 98 will automatically TRY
to partition around the damage (after lots of restarts, just let it do
it's thing). This is only an option if you have no other choice, and
nothing important will be stored on the hard drive, AND you can
reinstall all your stuff. Otherwise, don't mess, get another hard
drive.

PS: if I were a hard drive, I'd refuse Windows Millenium too.

 

[Rod Speed]

The version of fdisk that came with windows 98 will automatically TRY
to partition around the damage (after lots of restarts, just let it do it's thing).

No it wont. The most it ever attempts is to mark clusters as bad.

This is only an option if you have no other choice, and nothing
important will be stored on the hard drive, AND you can reinstall
all your stuff. Otherwise, don't mess, get another hard drive.

PS: if I were a hard drive, I'd refuse Windows Millenium too.

More fool you.

 

[kony]

No it wont. The most it ever attempts is to mark clusters as bad.

Unless more and more of them are dying while he's working,
marking as bad to get to the point of finishing a partition
and format would get it to the point where WinME DID try to
install, while presently it rejects the partition/format.

More fool you.

WinME can be whittled down until equivalent to a patched
Win98SE and be about as good as a patched Win98SE... so it's
really a matter of the intended use, some things 9x can do
acceptibly and others it can't.

 

[Stegozor]

No it wasnt, you had bad sectors.

Just a precision: Before uninstalling Windows, I performed a detailed
analysis using Scandisk, and it marked several sectors as bad. But at
that time, Windows was functionning more or less properly.

 

[MF]

before you throw out the drive, unreplace fdisk.

uh, i mean, get rid of free fdisk. run fdisk /mbr. use fdisk to delete all
partitions. create a partition or two with fdisk. try formatting. if it
still doesn't work, take the drive apart, remove the platters, go to cannes,
see if you can skim the platters across the sea. well, it's a reason to
take a vacation.

i've seen free fdisk cause similar problems on 3 different computers. you
don't need it for your situation, so use fdisk. then throw out the drive.

good luck

Mike

 

[Stegozor]

Tomorrow, I'll record the iso of the latest ubuntu, I hope the install
process will help. I'll put the feedback here.

Well, I installed Ubuntu, and it works like a charm. / is the main
partition (15 Gb), /home is on another one (2Gb), there's also the swap
partition (1 Gb) and finally another one (1 Gb), not yet formatted,
which is waiting for FreeDOS 1.0.

Why is Ubuntu working fine, and why did Windows Me refuse to install? Go
figure...

 

[Rod Speed]

Well, I installed Ubuntu, and it works like a charm. / is the main
partition (15 Gb), /home is on another one (2Gb), there's also the
swap partition (1 Gb) and finally another one (1 Gb), not yet
formatted, which is waiting for FreeDOS 1.0.

Why is Ubuntu working fine, and why did Windows Me refuse to install?
Go figure...

Most likely the partitioning was rather screwed.

You should be able to use clearhdd on a
floppy to wipe the drive and then install ME.

 

[Rod Speed]

Well, I installed Ubuntu, and it works like a charm. / is the main
partition (15 Gb), /home is on another one (2Gb), there's also the
swap partition (1 Gb) and finally another one (1 Gb), not yet
formatted, which is waiting for FreeDOS 1.0.

Why is Ubuntu working fine, and why did Windows Me refuse to install?
Go figure...

The bad sectors. It wont install on a drive which has visible bad sectors.

Ubuntu is clearly more forgiving/takes more risks. That isnt necessarily a good thing.

 

[Rod Speed]

Just a precision: Before uninstalling Windows, I performed a detailed
analysis using Scandisk, and it marked several sectors as bad.

And ME wont install on a drive that has bad sectors marked.

But at that time, Windows was functionning more or less properly.

Until more bads show up, as they inevitably will.

 

[Rod Speed]

Unless more and more of them are dying while he's working,
marking as bad to get to the point of finishing a partition
and format would get it to the point where WinME DID
try to install, while presently it rejects the partition/format.

I was JUST commenting on that claim that the fdisk that came
with W98 will automatically TRY to partition around the damage.
ALL it does is make clusters it decides have bad sectors as bad.

WinME can be whittled down until equivalent to a patched
Win98SE and be about as good as a patched Win98SE...

It works fine un 'whittled' if you know what you are doing.

so it's really a matter of the intended use, some
things 9x can do acceptibly and others it can't.

Irrelevant to what I chose to comment on again.

 

[kony]

I was JUST commenting on that claim that the fdisk that came
with W98 will automatically TRY to partition around the damage.
ALL it does is make clusters it decides have bad sectors as bad.

Ok, my comment was more to the point that we can ignore the
bad sectors IF it had finished formatting, at that point
WinME *thinks* it can go ahead and install which it didn't.

It works fine un 'whittled' if you know what you are doing.

"Fine" is subject to interpretation. "Bloated" is more
appropriate. While Win98 ran fast for light duty use, once
you start tacking on the addt'l resources (which are already
more limited in ME) you might as well use Win2k even for the
light tasks. Granted, if one doesn't have a spare Win2k but
they do a WinME...

 

[paulmd]

No it wont. The most it ever attempts is to mark clusters as bad.

For certian kinds of damage, the fdisk will indeed partiton around.
I've seen it happen.
Most of the time, however, ordinary bad sectors are caught by the
format utility later.

More fool you.

Windows ME doesn't work. The system restore doesn't work, the
hibernation deosn't work. (there's a patch available for the system
restore, but it STILL doesn't work well) The Windows Scandisk loads if
you failed to properly shut down (annoying restarts and all, the DOS
mode scandisk at least works right). Getting into DOS mode is
impossible (there isn't one), and the safe mode is worthless. You can't
create DOS boot disks with the format utility anymore, which is an
obsticle to BIOS flashing. On top of that, it's unstable. AARGH.

 

[Rod Speed]

Ok, my comment was more to the point that we can ignore
the bad sectors IF it had finished formatting, at that point
WinME *thinks* it can go ahead and install which it didn't.

Dunno, one of the versions of 98 would do a bad scan before
installing and would refuse to install if the drive had any bads.

Forget exactly which one that was.

"Fine" is subject to interpretation.
Nope.

"Bloated" is more appropriate.

Nothing to do with whether it works fine or not.

While Win98 ran fast for light duty use, once you start tacking
on the addt'l resources (which are already more limited in ME)
you might as well use Win2k even for the light tasks.

Wrong with plenty of stuff that wouldnt run on 2K.