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Why can't I format my external hard drive?

  • I've tried to format my external hard drive about 3 times already, but I keep getting a "Format failed to complete" or "Format failed" message each time. - My hard drive has a drive letter (M:) but has no file system. It shows up in My Computer, but each time I try to use the drive, it says, "(M:) is not formatted yet. Would you like to format it now?" It does a "Quick Format" but after about 45 minutes, the failed format message pops up. - The second time I tried formatting, I used Window's Disk Management. I right clicked on my external hard drive and chose Quick Format but I ended up with the same result. - For the third time, I tried doing so through DOS. I was relieved to see the progress bar reach 100%. However, after it told me to put in a new volume label, DOS gave me a message that said "Format failed." There was actually a fourth attempt, but it stalled at 5% since I did a "regular format" so I just cancelled it. It was late and I didn't want to leave my computer on overnight. I'm actually using an external enclosure that holds my old 40GB internal drive. I've searched for solutions online, but none happen to work for me. I'm trying to format to NTFS, by the way. If I format to FAT32, do you think I'll have better luck at formatting? I'm using Windows XP Home Professional SP3. Any tips and advice is really appreciated!

  • Answer:

    HI.. If you want to go one stage further and do not mind downloading a program. . I have and used a 3rd party program to create partitions and format drives , i primarily use 3rd party software because of the windows limitations in formatting a large drive to Fat 32 , but it works as well for NTFS. EASEUS partition master. home edition (free) http://www.partition-tool.com/

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What makes you suspect that the old 40 GB drive is functional? If it has failed a half-dozen or so formatting attempts, the takeaway message might be that the drive mechanism is pooched. Try deleting the partitions first, and re-set up a partition before formatting. Just for fun, try splitting it into 2 partitions and see if one formats and the other fails - that would be an indication of bad sectors on the drive in a particular area in the failed partition.

CanadaRAM

I think CanadaRAM is right on the mark. The drive is "pooched" I deal with a lot of old computers and I'll try three times to format an old drive (By definition any 40gb drive is "old") before I toss it carelessly towards the recycling bin. a new hard drive is $40-$60 and my time is worth atleast $75hr, so just how long should I mess around with something before I call it dead and move on? An enclosure with a drive? if it's an IDE/PATA drive it can be replaced with a 320gb SATA notebook drive and a new USB/eSATA enclosure for around $65 AD

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