Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (
More info?)
"Dale" <laurichd@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
news:vhvdn05tio1epo36gu25j284322i8v45ie@4ax.com...
> On Wed, 20 Oct 2004 15:57:53 -0400, "Art" <noonehere@longone.net>
> wrote:
>
>>"Dale" <laurichd@bellsouth.net> wrote in message
>>news:jslbn0dt4n7pdehh8b4j96fkt7r13ek27p@4ax.com...
>>> Hi,
>>> I have a dell dimension 2400 running XP Home Ed. and I have a 2.5"
>>> 30GB drive which is install in an external USB storage system kit.
>>> When I attach to the USB port windows recognizes the drive but it will
>>> not initialize or format. I've tried to run fdisk but after I reboot
>>> as directed there are still no partitions on the drive. I've even
>>> tried to initialize under Computer Management but it still will not
>>> format.
>>>
>>> Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
>>> Thanks,
>>> Dale
>>
>>Dale:
>>To the best of my knowledge you cannot partition and format a USB external
>>hard drive using FDISK and associated Format commands. FDISK will not
>>recognize the USB external hard drive in order to partition the drive. I
>>must add that I've heard reports from some users that they were indeed
>>successful in using FDISK where a USB EHD was involved, but I've never
>>been
>>able to verify this. At least I've never been successful in using the
>>FDISK/format commands from a Win9x/Me startup disk to partition and format
>>a
>>USB EHD.
>>
>>Since your USB EHD is unpartitioned, you will have to use XP's Disk
>>Management utility in Computer Management (Start | right-click My Computer
>>|
>>Manage | Disk Management).
>>
>>1. With the USB EHD connected and powered-up (if applicable), you should
>>get
>>the "Found New Hardware" balloon message from XP. Disk Management will
>>show
>>that drive as "Not Initialized" and "Unallocated".
>>
>>2. Right-click on the "Not Initialized" area and select "Initialize Disk".
>>After doing so, the drive will be shown as "Online" instead of "Not
>>Initialized", but of course it's still "Unallocated".
>>
>>3. Right-click on that "Unallocated" area and select "New Partition".Work
>>through the "New Partition Wizard" screens to create your partition(s) and
>>drive letter(s) and then format the partition(s). Since your hard drive is
>>only 30 GB, you will be given the option of formatting it in FAT32 in lieu
>>of NTFS should that be your preference.
>>
>>I recognize that you've stated you have been unable to initialize and
>>format
>>the drive using the Disk Management utility. But it is not clear to me why
>>this process failed in your case. If, after performing the above steps,
>>you're still not able to partition and format your USB EHD, please
>>indicate
>>in detail whatever error messages you received or any other information
>>that
>>you think may be helpful in diagnosing your problem.
>>
>>I just noted that you're using a 2 1/2" HD in your USB external enclosure.
>>It occurred to me that I've run into a few recognition-type problems with
>>this type of drive when used as a USB external device, especially when
>>there
>>was no auxiliary power going to the 2 1/2" drive (it relying on the
>>computer's power) as is usually the case with these drives when used in a
>>USB external enclosure specifically designed for 2 1/2" drives.
>>
>>Another point - make sure you're connecting the device directly to a USB
>>port on your computer rather than through a USB hub. It's another area
>>where
>>I've run into problems involving the system not recognizing the device. I
>>take it from your query that you are connecting directly to your
>>computer's
>>USB port, but I thought I'd mention this for the benefit of others who
>>might
>>be having a more-or-less similar problem.
>>
>>Art
>>
> Art:
> I appreciate your reply. I have tried to initalize from the Disk
> Management utility. The drive doesn't list in the top right window but
> exists in the bottom right window as Disk 1 with a red circle w/minus,
> unknown type, 27.94GB, not initialized.
> When I right click on this drive I get an hourglass for a few seconds,
> otherwise no change. The first time I right clicked on the drive I got
> an error message directing me to the system viewer which indicated
>
> Event Type: Error
> Event Source: LDM
> Event Category: None
> Event ID: 2
> Date: 10/20/2004
> Time: 1:58:50 PM
> User: N/A
> Computer: DJFQZW41
> Description:
> Unspecified error (80004005).
>
> For more information, see Help and Support Center at
> http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
>
> The link above is no help.
>
> Also everything in Device Manager says "This device is working
> properly"
>
> Thanks
> Dale
Dale:
I honestly don't know at this point. The only times I've run into problems
involving the inability to partition & format a hard drive using XP's Disk
Management Utility is where the hard drive was defective or, in the case of
a USB external HD, the enclosure was defective. (Actually in the latter
case, it was a defective USB cable that came with the enclosure).
Can you remove the HD and temporarily connect it in your computer? I note
that it's a 2 1/2" HD so you'll need an adapter to facilitate this
connection if the install is in a desktop computer that uses 3 1/2" drives.
Since you have a 2 1/2" drive, perhaps you have a laptop/notebook that you
can use to temporarily install the drive. In any event, if you can hook it
up directly to a computer, you can try to partition & format it using the
fdisk & format commands on the floppy boot disk you apparently have. If you
are unable to do so, that would be an indication of a defective hard drive.
Have you been in touch with Dell's tech support re your problem? I haven't
used them myself but I hear from others they're generally responsive.
Good luck and let us know how things turn out. I've made a note of your
email address so if I come up with any other ideas, I'll be sure to let you
know.
Art
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