Can't format an HDD


  1. Posts : 27
    Windows 7 Pro 64bit
       #1

    Can't format an HDD


    Win 7 64

    I recently reinstalled my OS onto my SSD. I have three 500gb caviar black Western Digital drives that I use for storage. One of them was giving me trouble always checking for consistency right after the new OS installation. I unplugged it and updated all of the windows drivers etc, plugged it back in and it started working.

    I was not satisfied with that so I decided to reformat it and reimage it. It was working until two days ago. I was able to look at the drive, browse the folders, open files, etc. It was sometimes slow, but it did work.

    I decided to do a non-quick format and let it run while I was at work. When I came home, it was hardly showing any progress. Since it appeared that nothing had happened, I cancelled the format and tried to do a quick format. That did not work and just says unable to format or something like that.

    I also tried running a format through the command prompt and I get "format failed".

    chkdsk does not work with RAW file format.

    I used the Western Digital data diagnostic utility and it passes the SMART check, but when I run the extended test it goes extremely slow saying something like 350 hours (basically two weeks of nonstop testing). I let it run over night to see if it was going slow but would eventually pick up speed but that did not happen.

    I don't know if the drive is broken yet. Are there any other utilities that I can use on it? It still shows up, Windows does not try to check consistency on bootup, and it passes the SMART test in about 2 minutes.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #2

    Why and what are you reimaging to the hdd ?

    Format it using diskpart or partition wizard.

    http://www.partitionwizard.com/free-...n-manager.html

    Disk - Clean and Clean All with Diskpart Command
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 7,055
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit
       #3

    Yes, try to format it with MiniTools Partition Wizard Home Edition.

    If PW shows it as a "bad disk", there is no redemption. Discard the drive.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 27
    Windows 7 Pro 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #4

    I meant to just say restoring files. It is not a boot image. My boot OS is only 120gb before format, so I try to store non essential files like pictures and stuff elsewhere on other drives.

    I will try those.
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 27
    Windows 7 Pro 64bit
    Thread Starter
       #5

    So I started the mini partition wizard last night and told it to clear the partition the quick way, assign drive letter e: and format to NTFS. It has been running about 8 hours and it is only at 1% so far.

    It appears to be "working" but why so slow? I am going to let it run. Is it possible that there is a trouble area on the drive that it will work through and then go faster?
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 7,055
    Windows 7 Home Premium 32 bit
       #6

    WD's diagnostic utility also was taking a long time and now PW too. I would think that its time for you to scrap the drive.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 98
    Windows 7 64 BIT
       #7

    bigblocktowncar said:
    Win 7 64

    I recently reinstalled my OS onto my SSD. I have three 500gb caviar black Western Digital drives that I use for storage. One of them was giving me trouble always checking for consistency right after the new OS installation. I unplugged it and updated all of the windows drivers etc, plugged it back in and it started working.

    I was not satisfied with that so I decided to reformat it and reimage it. It was working until two days ago. I was able to look at the drive, browse the folders, open files, etc. It was sometimes slow, but it did work.

    I decided to do a non-quick format and let it run while I was at work. When I came home, it was hardly showing any progress. Since it appeared that nothing had happened, I cancelled the format and tried to do a quick format. That did not work and just says unable to format or something like that.

    I also tried running a format through the command prompt and I get "format failed".

    chkdsk does not work with RAW file format.

    I used the Western Digital data diagnostic utility and it passes the SMART check, but when I run the extended test it goes extremely slow saying something like 350 hours (basically two weeks of nonstop testing). I let it run over night to see if it was going slow but would eventually pick up speed but that did not happen.

    I don't know if the drive is broken yet. Are there any other utilities that I can use on it? It still shows up, Windows does not try to check consistency on bootup, and it passes the SMART test in about 2 minutes.

    I would recommend for Raw partition Easy on track pro or specially R-Studio !

    They are pro to recover the stuff in raw partition I already had this trouble on many hdd and recovered

    the whole stuff !

    If it persist, DiskWarrior ( For mac osx), in bootable menu is a great pro tool !
      My Computer


 

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