HDD has no partition and it's write protected

[revett]

Hello,

I have a 500gb HDD model WDC WD50 which was installed in a Laptop and it's now connect to my PC.
When I go to Windows disk management it shows as Unknown - Not initialized - Not Alocated. If I try to make it Online it will give me an cyclic redundancy error. If I try to initialize it, I can't because option is greyed out. If I try to low format it, it says that device is write protected, even if I try to low format it using the Western Digital format tool.
How can I remove the write protection from it? Is there a way to bring this HDD back? It is brand new

Thanks!

 

[vollman1]

Try method 8 below:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927520

 

[revett]

Hi, Vollman.

Didn't work. When I list the disks, it only shows my primary disk (Disk 0). It doesn't show the "no partition" one.

Thanks

 

[vollman1]

at the disk selection screen, hit 'shift+f10'

 

[revett]

I am sorry man, where exactly?

 

[vollman1]

after you boot with the WIN disk in, you should come to a screen that shows your HDDs (minus the missing one). It also has option to format, partition etc.

At this screen do the 'shift+f10'

 

[bak0n]

Is there a set of jumpers on the drive? You could have one set to write protect.

 

[revett]

saii, PC is running Windows 7 Ultimate 64bits, laptop were running Windows 7 Home Premium. When I try to set a partition style to this HDD, system won't let me, saying it's write protected.

 

[revett]

No jumpers, bak0n...

 

[vollman1]

did you hit 'shift-f10' at the disk selection screen?

 

[revett]

Vollman, if you're talking about the advanced partition settings in Windows install, forget it. tried all the options, and it will come up with an error saying that I can't create a partition, probably because of the goddamn write protection (that I'd never set, btw...)

 

[vollman1]

Method 8 cleans the disk (wipe and reformat). If you haven't tried it, its worth a shot. But its your call.

Edit:

Its not an 'option' that you would see.

 

[revett]

I would love to use this method, but the disk I'm talking about is not listed.

 

[vollman1]

So you did these steps:

1) Insert the DVD into the DVD drive.
2) On the disk selection screen, press SHIFT+F10. A Command Prompt window opens.
3) Type diskpart, and then press ENTER to open the diskpart tool.
4) Type list disk, and then press ENTER. A list of available hard disks is displayed.

And then the disk isn't listed?

 

[revett]

ok, I put it back to the laptop and now it was detected. selected it and then typed "clean all". It's still "thinking", I don't know how long it takes. HDD led is lit, so let's see. Will update you in a few!

 

[vollman1]

 

[revett]

Heh, still thinking... I will let it work overnight and let you know Either way, thanks!

 

[vollman1]

yw and good luck with it

 

[revett]

Good try, but it didn't work. Apparently, the disk was cleared but Windows installer keeps saying that I can't install / create a partition in that disk. I didn't had time to perform more tests after clearing it up, but the prospect isn't good. I will check this weekend. I believe I have a major physical issue with this HDD... Meh.

Either way, thanks for your time Vollman. You and everyone else who tried to help...

 

[revett]

Best answer selected by revett.