Cannot Format Hard Disk

[jradicle11]

So my hard drive would show in up bios but wouldn't show up in the windows 7 disk selection screen even after loading the drivers numerous times. I tried to format it in my brothers working computer, it said it could not format the disk. I tried to install xp, it recognized the hard disk, but again I couldn't format. I tried to boot the GParted Live and delete/create some partitions, the disk doesn't even find my hard drive.

My question is:

Is this a semi-common problem or do I have a faulty hard drive?

My hard drive is in my specs.

 

[Wishmaster]

have you tried Diskpart?

 

[jradicle11]

Well, I think I want to completely wipe it of all partitions, then try to create one. Would that be able to completely wipe it?

 

[Wishmaster]

It should yes.

open a elevated CMD promp

type the following commands:
1.disk part
2. list disk
take note of the disk number it gives the disk you want formated

3. Select Disk <target disk number> I/E if it shows it as disk 3; Select Disk 3
4. clean
5.create primary partition size=
6.format fs=ntfs quick
7.exit

See if this might work. If it does, you can likely go into disk management now, delete the main partition and create them however you choose, or keep just the 1

Also, Have you tried running the LifeGuard diagnostics utility?

 

[jradicle11]

Wait, do this in command prompt? This is a clean hard drive, I just bought it and have yet to use it.

Are the steps you're describing with diskpart?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

You can access diskpart by pressing shift and F10 keys early in the Win 7 install--when you come to the screen where you would select language, keyboard, and location.

I think the command to run it is diskpart rather than disk part.

 

[Wishmaster]

Yes it is, my erro. thanks ignatzatsonic.

diskpart not disk part

i was thinking you were trying to do this from within windows, my fault.
if its the only and your trying to install Win7 on it, It would be as ignatzatsonic suggested.

by Shift + F10

 

[theog]

New Drive.

You need to make ACTIVE, before formating.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Yeah.

Jradicle11: insert the command active after create primary partition size and before format.

 

[jradicle11]

So during installation, around the language select screen, press SHIFT + F10,

type the following commands:
1.disk part
2. list disk
take note of the disk number it gives the disk you want formated

3. Select Disk <target disk number> I/E if it shows it as disk 3; Select Disk 3
4. clean
5.create primary partition size=
6.format fs=ntfs quick
7.exit

then the command: active

 

[ignatzatsonic]

No.

Active immediately after create primary partition and before format.

The first command is diskpart not disk part.

If you want to make just a single partition for the entire drive, the create partition command would just be:

create primary partition


without any reference to size.

You of course can later resize partitions in Windows Disk Management.

 

[theog]

where it reads format=fat replace with format=ntfs.

 

[jradicle11]

I can do this in XP?

 

[ignatzatsonic]

I have no idea if it can be done in XP.

I thought you wanted to format and install Windows 7 on a particular partition. The instructions from all of us have been based on that assumption.

Maybe we were wrong and you are trying to do something else.

Maybe you can go back to square one and explain your intentions.

 

[jradicle11]

Well I want to install Windows 7 but it wasn't even recognizing my hard drive.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Your system specs say you have 3 operating systems: XP, Vista, and Windows 7.

True?

Not true?

How many hard drives?

One?

Two?

Three?

We need more detail as confusion reigns.

Post a screen shot of Windows Disk Management if any of your operating systems will show the disk in question.

 

[jradicle11]

Well, I have this laptop I'm currently on that is Vista, another computer which I use that is XP, and then I was trying to install 7 on my new computer, the one mentioned in my specs. This is the computer with the issues.

 

[Wishmaster]

I apologize.
I am confused as well, and likely my misunderstanding getting everything started.
I thought this was a secondary drive he was having issues with and was attempting to format from within a running Windows. .


im confused and tired ;-/

When you start the Win7 disk, and boot from the CD..

exactly what happens?
Can you choose Custom install etc?

if the bios is listing the HD, then Win Setup should see it as well at that point, regardless of if its partitioned, formatted or whatever.

 

[ignatzatsonic]

Assuming your new PC has just one hard drive, you would begin the Windows 7 installation, press Shift F10 as was explained earlier in this thread, run diskpart as explained earlier in this thread, and see if it helps your situation.

Is there a particular reason you can't or won't try that?

 

[SIW2]

Can Vista see the HD?

Go to Vista Disk Management - if it says the drive is offline - rt click it ( on the left where it says Disk #) and select Online.

Then rt click it and select intialize to mbr - follow instructions.

Then you can create partitions.