Disk problem (?) on Win7 install

[CitizenErased]

Hi everyone, this is my 1st post but I've been following for quite a while and I've to say I found an answer to a lot of my problems here! So thank you in advance for the great initiative, awesome job.

I post here because I think it's an hardware problem, but I'm not completely sure about it. I recently changed the whole system, because I thought that the old motherboard's SATA controller was giving serious issues to my hard disks, but also because it was time to do so.

Unfortunately, even with the new system, the problems are still there.

Here are the problems:
When I try to install Win7 (x64 ultimate retail) I get the infamous error: "Windows could not format partition on disk 0. The error occurred while preparing the partition selected for installation. Error code 0x80070057". This happens either if I try to format or if I directly try to write on the existing partition.

I have 2 disks: a WD Raptor 150Gb (the one where I'm trying to install Win7) and a WD Caviar Black 1Tb. The Raptor is like 2 years old, the Caviar black few months old.
In the old system, I also tried to install Win7 on the Caviar Black, I've been able to do it but the disk was really slow (like a half of the speed). That brought me to think the problem was the motherboard. Now, with the new system I have the same problems..

Now after all of the solutions I tried, I ran out of ideas.. I still can't install the OS. And the Caviar black sometimes isn't recognized by the system.

I know that other ones have been posting for a similar problem, but I feel like my case is different because my whole system is new.

Configuration:

ASUS Rampage III Gene
Intel Core i7 930
Corsair Dominator DDR3 6Gb (1066Mhz)
WD Raptor 150Gb Sata - 3 Gb/s
WD Caviar Black 1TB Sata - 3 Gb/s
Enermax Liberty 620W

Many thanks in advance!

 

[TVeblen]

Hello CitizenErased. Welcome to the forum.

I would suggest first running the WD Data Lifeguard Diagnostics on both drives:
WD Support / Downloads / SATA & SAS / WD VelociRaptor

Also: are you trying to install W7 onto a preexisting partition that previously had an OS on it?

 

[CitizenErased]

Thank you for your answer!
Ok, I'll try the diagnostics tool on both of them (haven't thought of that, in effect).

For what concerns the install, here are the 3 attempts I made:

- I decided to format the previous install of W7 (from the prev system) but no luck, I received the same 0x80070057 error right after the beginning of the format procedure.

- I tried to install directly on the previous install of W7, the only difference from the other attempt has been that the installation started and didn't move from 0%. Few minutes after, same 0x80070057 error.

- After that, I tried another method, aka removing the partition and creating a new one. After creating the partition (no prob with that), the install started and after few minutes the result was: 0x80070057.

 

[1Bowtie]

Try turning off the Sata controller in bios, then turn on the hdd's under ide, second unplug other hdd's so just the hdd you want to install the os to is hooked up. Set the boot order to boot from the dvd drive, then let us know how that works

 

[sygnus21]

Do let us know the results of the Data Lifeguard results. And to be clear, is this only happening with the Caviar Black?

 

[CitizenErased]

So I ran the Data Lifeguard tool (if you want an advice, don't download the CD version from WD website, it doesn't work.. I had to use ultrabootcd). The results are a little different than what I expected:

WD Raptor: Dead. DL can't even read sectors, I was kinda of expecting this, since the disk is pretty old and stressed, but I don't understand how the Win7 install was even recognizing the partition.. I guess the 'dead zones' were on different sectors..

WD Caviar: Dead too! Well, almost dead.. the fact that it was so slow was apparently generated by a major problem, in fact at the end of the diagnostics the error code was 0008. When there's this code, WD practically advices to directly replace the drive, (take a look at this table for further info WD Support / Knowledge Base / Diagnostic Error Codes).. fortunately this HD is only 1 month old, so there shouldn't be any problem in replacing it.

So this is it I guess.. I have to say I was expecting something a LOT more complicated.. meh, learning something new everyday.. thank you very much for your support guys

 

[TeeDoubleUDee]

So I ran the Data Lifeguard tool (if you want an advice, don't download the CD version from WD website, it doesn't work.. I had to use ultrabootcd). The results are a little different than what I expected:

WD Raptor: Dead. DL can't even read sectors, I was kinda of expecting this, since the disk is pretty old and stressed, but I don't understand how the Win7 install was even recognizing the partition.. I guess the 'dead zones' were on different sectors..

WD Caviar: Dead too! Well, almost dead.. the fact that it was so slow was apparently generated by a major problem, in fact at the end of the diagnostics the error code was 0008. When there's this code, WD practically advices to directly replace the drive, (take a look at this table for further info WD Support / Knowledge Base / Diagnostic Error Codes).. fortunately this HD is only 1 month old, so there shouldn't be any problem in replacing it.

So this is it I guess.. I have to say I was expecting something a LOT more complicated.. meh, learning something new everyday.. thank you very much for your support guys

Just a thought - did you use the same drive cables from the old machine?

TWD

 

[sygnus21]

Just a thought - did you use the same drive cables from the old machine?

Good thought.

And if the cables are good, then you know you need to RMA the drives. Though both drives going dead at the same time is kind of odd.

 

[CitizenErased]

The drive cables were brand new, I used the ones that came with the Rampage Gene.
In fact I already started the RMA procedure for the Caviar Black, (unfortunately the Raptor is out of the warranty period, gotta replace it) and I totally agree: it's extremely odd that both drives died practically at the same time: never happened in quite a bit of years of experience..

 

[TVeblen]

Heat is the most common cause of early hard drive death.

These new SATA drives are fast but they do run hot. A good modern computer case is designed to cool the HDDs by placing intake fans in the front of the case and placing the hard drive rack right behind them. Other newer cases employ different design solutions, but for my money the rack fans are the best.

If you're using an older case, or have high performance components, or are overclocking and do not have good cooling solutions going on that could easily explain the early deaths.

 

[sygnus21]

I've been using multiple Western Digital hard drives in my cases since 1998 and have never had a string of them die on me. In fact for the last 7-8 years I've been running at least 3 drives in my systems and temps or otherwise has never been a problem.

Anyways good luck on the drive replacement.

Peace