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    Failure to format external HD in Win 7

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by caribbean_spur, Dec 6, 2010.

  1. caribbean_spur

    caribbean_spur Notebook Consultant

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    Hi guys,

    I purchased an iomega ego 500gb external HD and I wanted to reformat it before using it. I selected a complete reformat (instead of a quick format) using the windows 7 utility. After over 12 hours I could barely see a green bar of progress! It was on a pace of at least week of reformat lol!

    Anyway, I killed the whole process and tried it on my old inspiron 5100 with XP on it. And after 2 hours, reformat was done!

    So my question is, is there something I should be doing in windows 7? I remember when I had Vista formatting rewritable CD would always fail (but I would get an error message as opposed to never ending format). Any input would be great!


    Thanks!
     
    caribbean_spur, Dec 6, 2010
    #1
  2. Joel

    Joel coffeecoffeecoffeecoffee

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    This sometimes happens to me, but some other times it'll work fine. I don't know if this is the case for you... Some of the drives just won't do anything, and could sit there for days.

    Maybe try the drive on another port, and let it install the driver on the new port, see if that works...

    I now realize it's a little too late to be giving advice like this seems as though you had already formatted it on the Inspiron. But anywho...
     
    Joel, Dec 6, 2010
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  3. caribbean_spur

    caribbean_spur Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks for the input. It is really weird, I have never have this problem in XP but somehow it seems to be a recurring problem in 7
     
    caribbean_spur, Dec 7, 2010
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  4. Syberia

    Syberia Notebook Deity

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    Return the hard drive if the problem persists.
     
    Syberia, Dec 7, 2010
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  5. michael_recycled

    michael_recycled Notebook Deity

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    This could be a "feature" of Windows 7 power management. Make sure you select the "max. performance" power plan.

    Michael
     
    michael_recycled, Dec 7, 2010
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  6. caribbean_spur

    caribbean_spur Notebook Consultant

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    I tried again, same thing. U returned the drive in case, but I do believe it is a problem with Windows 7. Up until now I have been able to accomplish all I need with windows 7 (as opposed to Vista) but not in this case. I have the feeling it is something I am doing wrong, I just don't know what it is.

    I am all ears for any suggestion, since I ordered a new HD :)
     
    caribbean_spur, Dec 7, 2010
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  7. caribbean_spur

    caribbean_spur Notebook Consultant

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    Any insight on this problem?
     
    caribbean_spur, Dec 8, 2010
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