Windows 7: how do i format my hard drive

I have two oft-repeated suggestions. Try these.

1. Download the HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool, http://download.cnet.com/HP-USB-Disk...-10974082.html run it as an administrator and format your external HDD.

2. If the above suggestion fails, download the HDD Low Level Format Tool - only the Windows Executable that does not require installation - HDDGURU: HDD LLF Low Level Format Tool, click on the .exe file and run it to reinitialize your HDD to the factory state. If successful, you will be required to do a regular format.

( It will take quite sometime to write zeroes to each and every sector. So be patient. On my 8 GB pendrive it took almost 20 minutes on my PC at the rate of around 6MB/sec.)

nah i cant take the case off

the first one didnt work cause media is write protected
and i m running the second on now and it keeps comming up with format error media is write protected it like 30% done atm

As Rich suggested, as long as you have a valid Product Key (should be located on a sticker on your computer) you can download an installation DVD in ISO format. It must be the same Windows 7 version that is currently on your computer. Save it to a convenient location (like your desktop) and then burn the image to DVD.

Official Windows 7 SP1 ISO from Digital River « My Digital Life

I think I'm not understanding the purpose of this thread. Are you trying to format the disk for an OS install? I was thinking it was an external you just wanted to wipe out and start over with it...

Doesn't sound good if diskpart stops working; especially if all you're doing is a detail of the disk. Try this: SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker (unless you're trying to do an OS install).

I think the OP is trying to get the unknown mark removed from an external HDD, so that he can use the data stored in it.

the purpose of the thread is to try an use a portable hard the wont come up in my computer and when i tried to format it it came up media is write protected. i just wanna clear it all and be able to use my hardrive

Okay, I just started getting confused when I saw posts about OS install. Try that sfc I mentioned in post #24. You shouldn't have the issue of diskpart stopping when simply trying to detail a disk.

Hi JH17,

I regret to say that your external drive had reached its end of life.

All the reserved space for replacing the bad sectors have been taken up. No vacancy now. So the drive controller puts a blanket ban - no more writing. Write protected. Come to think of it even formatting or zero filling involves writing to the disk.

If the HP USB Disk Storage Format Tool and the HDD LLF Tool get the same write-protected error, I would consider your disk as beyond redemption. The write protected error comes up with pendrives too at the end of their life.

You may still try the HDD manufacturer's Hard disk Drive Diagnostic/Repair Utility as a last resort.

( I would be happy if I am proved to be wrong.)

jumanji, you may very well be correct.

JH17, does Diskpart work without error when you try and detail your other disks/volumes?

you can just try a 3rd party freeware to do this task. like partition manager or partition wizard. they can help format your hard drive easily and quickly.