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General discussion

Windows not able to complete format?

Jan 19, 2011 8:10AM PST

I am trying to format a portable hard drive and I get a message that say windows was unable to complete format?

Discussion is locked

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What version and service pack of Windows are you using?
Jan 19, 2011 8:23AM PST

As well, what is the size of the hard drive you want to format and how did you partition it? Knowing nothing of what you already tried, you might consider deleting existing partition information and then let Windows do the whole job from scratch.

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Windows not able to complete format?
Jan 19, 2011 8:30AM PST

it is a 500gb hard drive

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what version and service pack of Windows are you using?
Jan 19, 2011 8:33AM PST

I am using windows vista and service pack 2

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Software or tools
Jan 19, 2011 8:54AM PST

If your ext. storage device came with any s/w or tools, use them to reformat. Check their support website if they have them as well. I have found the pgm. HP USB formatter gives good results in just about any USB storage device out there, try it if all else fails. Don't be afraid to retry a format if it fails. Using the OS format procedure gives similar results you've experienced, other tools usually prove good.

tada -----Willy Happy

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Try and delete all partition information first
Jan 19, 2011 8:55AM PST

Create a new partition and format NTFS. If this doesn't work, note any errors in the event log. You could also try the same on another PC. If the same happens on both, the external has a problem. Most of these that I've seen come with some sort of software and are FAT32. You didn't mention if you've been able to use the drive but I'll presume you've tested it as good. Otherwise I might think it could even be some Mac format. The more info you can provide, the better.