Windows 7 - unable to initialize Disk - because of an I/O error

T1NT1N · 04-03-2010

Hi,

EDIT: USB to IDE sucks badly! If you have a choice get an external HDD enclosure better!

I am trying to connect a 250 GB IDE HDD to my laptop by using an "USB to IDE" adapter
the disk is recognized by seven, but when i go to "Disk management" and try to initialize it, i get this error message: "the request could not be performed because of an I/O device error."

the jumpers are sat so it becomes "master" .. when sat as "slave" seven doesn't even recognize it..
i could access the HDD normally when connected to PC, and windows xp sp3 is installed on it (NTFS)

here are SS:
- the error message:

- the drivers:

Your help would be greatly appreciated!

MadMaxData · 04-03-2010

What's with all the dollar signs in the USB device model number? That can't be right. I would try uninstalling the USB device in Device Manager, immediately reboot, and allow Windows to reinstall the driver before I did anything else. That doesn't seem right to me.

Also, make sure your USB 2.0 controllers are enabled in the BIOS.

DocBrown · 04-03-2010

Welcome T1NT1N,

What are you using to power the IDE HD with a USB adapter ?

Could be not enough power to the HD ?

MadMaxData · 04-03-2010

Hi Doc, I'm thinking the USB to IDE adapter must be working if it's listing the HDD in Disk Management, wouldn't you think?

It sounds like a USB interface driver problem to me. Did you see the model name for the USB controller? Strange indeed.

*EDIT*
Okay, that's the actual HDD model, not the controller. This has to to be a device driver issue I'm thinking.

DocBrown · 04-03-2010

Quote: Originally Posted by MadMaxData

Hi Doc, I'm thinking the USB to IDE adapter must be working if it's listing the HDD in Disk Management, wouldn't you think?

It sounds like a USB interface driver problem to me. Did you see the model name for the USB controller? Strange indeed.

Good point, Max !

What is the make & model of laptop you are connecting it to ? Have you tried different USB ports? Any USB errors in Device Manager ? USB 1.1 or 2.0 ?

MadMaxData · 04-04-2010

On the other hand, I can't tell you how many times I've seen a HDD listed in the BIOS with the wrong model number, because the IDE cable was either bad, or wasn't plugged in all the way. This could simply be a case of needing to re-seat the IDE portion of the adapter into the HDD.

I would try wiggling that adapter around in the HDD. I've fixed those errors many times by simply doing that.

CommonTater · 04-04-2010

Quote: Originally Posted by MadMaxData

On the other hand, I can't tell you how many times I've seen a HDD listed in the BIOS with the wrong model number, because the IDE cable was either bad, or wasn't plugged in all the way. This could simply be a case of needing to re-seat the IDE portion of the adapter into the HDD.

Ummm... take a close look at the original images... not the colors of the partitions behind the error dialogs? The disk in question is neither partitioned nor formatted...

MadMaxData · 04-04-2010

Quote: Originally Posted by CommonTater

Ummm... take a close look at the original images... not the colors of the partitions behind the error dialogs? The disk in question is neither partitioned nor formatted...

Correct, the OP is trying to initialize the disk, Bro. You can't format a drive with Windows until you initialize it. Look at the first image.

CommonTater · 04-04-2010

Quote: Originally Posted by MadMaxData

Quote: Originally Posted by CommonTater

Ummm... take a close look at the original images... not the colors of the partitions behind the error dialogs? The disk in question is neither partitioned nor formatted...

Correct, the OP is trying to initialize the disk, Bro. You can't format a drive with Windows until you initialize it.

I just got a new usb drive the other day... plugged it in... black partion color... right click on the open area for the disk ... format and away it went. In fact, I don't even see "Initialize" anywhere on the menus... Hmmmmm... My system just keeps getting stranger and stranger....

DocBrown · 04-04-2010

Quote: Originally Posted by T1NT1N

Hi,
I am trying to connect a 250 GB IDE HDD to my laptop by using an "USB to IDE" adapter
the disk is recognized by seven, but when i go to "Disk management" and try to initialize it, i get this error message: "the request could not be performed because of an I/O device error."

the jumpers are sat so it becomes "master" .. when sat as "slave" seven doesn't even recognize it..
i could access the HDD normally when connected to PC, and windows xp sp3 is installed on it (NTFS)

here are SS:
- the error message:

- the drivers:

Your help would be greatly appreciated!

Are you saying win XP is installed on the 250GB IDE HD arealy with NTFS format ?

Windows 7 - unable to initialize Disk - because of an I/O error

unable to initialize Disk - because of an I/O error problems?