Can't format external USB hd

[Rex]

Hi there,

I have an external, 2.5", 20gb USB hd that I was using for backup of my T20. Due to excessive fragmentation, decided (what a mistake) to format it and start again.

The formatting did not work; computer sees it but whatever I do, I am told that it needs to be formatted. Formatting gets to about 99% and a message appears that 'Windows is unable to complete the operation.'

Decided to put in into my Thinkpad and format it with fdisk and format using my W98SE start-up disk, allowing the computer to think that it was new hd (C:) Did not format it as an active partition as I don't want the system files on it. Seemed to work, but when replaced in the USB caddie, still 'Needs to be formatted' message appears. Partition Magic tells me that the MBR is damaged.

What is my way around getting this drive formatted? I don't think it is physically damaged in any way.

Should I format in the T20 assuming that it will be the active partition and put the system files onboard? Then with Partition Magic, remove those files and make the partition inactive?

How do I fix the MBR?

Any advice would be much appreciated as I thought this would be a simple problem but as with many things regarding computers, is turning into a mini-nightmare!

Many thanks,

Rex

[DataAve]

What brand?

[djpharoah]

put the hdd into your laptop. then boot up with a windows xp/2k cd.
enter recovery mode which should bring you to the "C:/" prompt.
there you type "fix mbr" and then "fix boot"

-dj

[DataAve]

Have you ever had "fix mbr" work? I never had any luck.

[Rex]

Thanks gentelmen, I'll give it a try.

I have the Hitachi TravellStar Disk Test Utility but am uncertain what to do with it. Made the bootabel floppy, but the pdf file does not mention testing a USB drive. It does mention testing a drive from a computer that is running an MS o/s. If I install the 'faulty' drive into the hd bay of my T20, it will have not o/s on it.

Want to do?

Rex

[DataAve]

Download Hiren's BootCD, I have yet to experience a problem it could not fix. It is just as it says, you can boot directly off of it.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/hiren.thanki/bootcd.html

Le us know how you make out.

[dsvochak]

Rex--

What operating system are you using on the T20? If it's W2K or XP try this. Go to Control Panel --> Performance and Maintenance --> Administrative Tools --> Computer Management and click "disk management" in the left panel. The USB hard drive will show up probably as "disk 1" in the right panel.

Click in the area which describes the drive size. When you get the hash lines, right click and choose your preference ("format" "delete partition", etc

[DataAve]

I believe it's a windoz issue.