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General discussion

formating Maxtor 300GB

Feb 25, 2006 7:21AM PST

Just got a Maxtor 300GB and it said I needed to format the drive. But it seems to be taking a lot time to do so, over 2 hours. Is this normal?

Discussion is locked

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details please
Feb 25, 2006 3:05PM PST

Computer make & model?
Operating System?

Hard drive model?
How is drive jumpered?
How is drive connected?

Are you formatting the 300GB drive during an OS installation or as a secondary drive?

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my details
Feb 26, 2006 11:14AM PST

Gateway, 40 GB hard drive, 256 MB of RAM
Windows XP

Drive is connected via USB but it is an older computer so the USB is 1.0. I have a feeling it is running slow because of that.


Maxtor OneTouchII
I am formatting the 300GB drive during the installation of it, which was suggested by Maxtor. The drive is my secondary drive, a back up.

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It will take a very long time.
Feb 26, 2006 8:28PM PST

If you can't wait for the surface scan, XP SP1/SP2 offers a quick format that will complete in much less time.

Bob

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How long?
Feb 27, 2006 6:54AM PST

Hi Bob,
Thank you for your help. I can wait, I just let it run... but how long should it take. Right now I am on 11 hours. Is that normal?
Amanda

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The math.
Feb 27, 2006 9:18AM PST

Since I'm unsure if you are getting USB 2.0 speed, let's calculate the shortest time it will take to read the 300GB drive for a surface scan.

300 GB / 0.0011 GB per second = about 76 hours.

I'd use the quick format.

Bob

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quick format
Mar 2, 2006 4:51AM PST

Hi Bob,

Where do I find the quick format?
Amanda

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Picture of the XP format dialogue box.
Mar 2, 2006 5:43AM PST