Very Slow Formatting During Install

  • Thread starter Thread starter Watty
  • Start date Start date
W

Watty

I installed XP Pro on a new 320G HD last week, and need to do it again.
However, after 30 minutes it's gotten to the 4% mark. It took less than
an hour last week. What's up? Should I kill it? Maybe I should have used
the quick format available in install.
 
Download and run the drive mfg's diagnostic software to make sure the drive
isn't failing.
 
Watty said:
I installed XP Pro on a new 320G HD last week, and need to do it again.
However, after 30 minutes it's gotten to the 4% mark. It took less than an
hour last week. What's up? Should I kill it? Maybe I should have used the
quick format available in install.
Click to expand...


Follow David B's advice, and the repartition the drive into smaller pieces.

Formatting time is one very good reason NOT to leave just one large 300gb
partition


--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
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David said:
Download and run the drive mfg's diagnostic software to make sure the
drive isn't failing.
Click to expand...
I hope not. I bought it last Thursday, and it's been working until now.
I'll try WD though. If it is failing this will require a long drive to
Sacramento or waiting until WD sends me a new one. Yikes. So be it, if so.

Wouldn't a quick reformat tell?
 
Watty said:
I hope not. I bought it last Thursday, and it's been working until now.
I'll try WD though. If it is failing this will require a long drive to
Sacramento or waiting until WD sends me a new one. Yikes. So be it, if so.

Wouldn't a quick reformat tell?
Click to expand...

A "quick format" only wipes the info pointing to the original files, and
can only be used if the disk was formatted already. No sector checking
is done, so if bad sectors, they will still be used(or it will try).
 
I replaced my PC twelve months ago, got it home and set it up and everything
worked just fine. The very next day the hard drive failed. (this
incidentally was a seagate drive). The moral of the story? Anything can
happen.

--

--
John Barnett MVP
Windows XP Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://www.silversurfer-guide.com

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..
 
Mike said:
Follow David B's advice, and the repartition the drive into smaller pieces.

Formatting time is one very good reason NOT to leave just one large
300gb partition
Click to expand...
I'm going to lay down a 80G installation on this new large 320G drive of
the installation as it was before the 80G drive holding it died. I
recovered all files on the 80G. I'm going to use unstoppable copier to
do that. I would think I would put that in partition 1 if I make 3
partitions here. BTW, I'm now up to 7% while waiting for WD to answer
their 30 day free installation help.

The plan here is to do the above, so I can see if I can restore my "old"
installation to this new HD.

13% now--in about 10 minutes or less. The CD may have had a problem.
When I started the install, the CD balked until I pushed some
connections around in the chassis.
 
John said:
I replaced my PC twelve months ago, got it home and set it up and
everything worked just fine. The very next day the hard drive failed.
(this incidentally was a seagate drive). The moral of the story?
Anything can happen.
Click to expand...
Been there before.
 
John Barnett MVP said:
I replaced my PC twelve months ago, got it home and set it up and
everything worked just fine. The very next day the hard drive failed. (this
incidentally was a seagate drive). The moral of the story? Anything can
happen.

--

--
John Barnett MVP
Windows XP Associate Expert
Windows Desktop Experience

Web: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org
Web: http://vistasupport.mvps.org
Web: http://www.silversurfer-guide.com

The information in this mail/post is supplied "as is". No warranty of any
kind, either expressed or implied, is made in relation to the accuracy,
reliability or content of this mail/post. The Author shall not be liable
for
any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages arising out of
the
use of, or inability to use, information or opinions expressed in this
mail/post..
Click to expand...


I lost three new Maxtor 40gbs in as many days aways back

--
Mike Hall - MVP
How to construct a good post..
http://dts-l.com/goodpost.htm
How to use the Microsoft Product Support Newsgroups..
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=newswhelp&style=toc
Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx
 
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