Bought an Hitach Deskstar Drive (Model:HDS728080PLAT20) about 2 months ago and have been using it as a master slave on Windows XP. Then decided to re-install XP as well as put Service Pack 2 on it. Also got the latest BIOS update for my computer. Now that XP SP2 has been put on my machine I am unable to explore the drive as the following error is displayed "Unaccessible. File or directory corrupt". I then deleted the partition and tried to format the drive as NTFS but got to 99% completion then failed implying data was RAW and was unformatable. Have tried formatting in DOS as well as Computer Management but have been unsuccessful. However once the drive is connected to Windows 2000, or XP without SP2, I am able to format and use the drive. Also ran an advanced 'Drive Fitness Test' that found no errors. Therefore was wondering if this was a common problem and whether anyone could offer me any advice of how to get the drive working with SP2? I would greatly appreciate your help.
On any drive, if you delete the partitions, or format, or do both, there is still information on the hard drive, as the "root tables" are always left, the root tables hold information as to what was on the drive, when, how much data it took up e.t.c and can still hold vital information. This information is usually in your "Boot Sector", what i suggest you do is that you use a program called "KillDisk", this will COMPLETELY remove everything from your hard drive. Including all the old "root tables". So before you do this, make sure you backup everything you need or want to keep. Then download this:KillDisk Bootable Floppy Disk Setup Get a blank floppy disk ready, and run the file you have just downloaded, then reboot your computer when you are ready to wipe your drive, and boot off the floppy. This should wipe any data that has been corrupted by SP2 or via any other means that may be stopping your drive from working. Now try to reinstall XP from scratch, then all the XP updates, drivers e.t.c - If your drive still does not work, post back with any details. So goto "B:\" drive and type: KILLDISK.EXE now hit enter, now go through the steps and run a full drive scan. *Note, your Floppy drive may still be in "A:\" drive
Hi, Thnaks for the reply. Created a boot disk and ran 'Kill Disk' which wiped the slave drive. Booted my computer back up, went in to Disk Management and it was not initialized which indicates that its was wiped. Initialized it, put a primary partition on it and tried formatting again but still the same problem. 'Unable to format drive'. Then whenever you try to explore the drive it displays 'Would you like to format the drive' but the same error occurs. I even tried making the Hard drive my master and installing windows on it, which was successful, but when updated to service pack to my computer wouldnt even boot. Quite odd really. Any other suggestions?
Format the drive using the command: (available on a Windows 98 Bootable Floppy Drive) now see if that works.
RIGHT !! I have a way to make windows reformat in about 5mins... when u reinstall, u use SLOW MEMORY (unless u use a 64bit) but wen in windows u use FAST MEMORY make a partition of the exact size of the XP disk. Then.. Open administrative tools, load on the XP disk to the new partition.. Then, run the BIN or CUE file thru ALCOHOL 120%, mount on new device. Then, Run, and install... Now u will have another partition with XP, so now u have 3 Partitions 1. Your first one C: 2. The XP DISK (possibly d 3. XP (possibly f NOOOOOOOOOOOW. uninstall the first partition (1.) then run the 3rd (3.) then open windows, and install the windows again to C:. In all it will probly take u about half hour to setup. but everytime u want to install after that, it will take about 3mins... Trust me, its worth it
Have solved the problem Was due to the hard disk UDMA Mode which SP2 driver set the Deskstar into higher than UDMA mode 5 which is not supported by my system's chipset. Therefore used the Hitachi Feature Tool to set the Deskstar UDMA mode maximum transfer rate to Mode 5 (100MB/s). Took 5 minutes. Thanks for the help though
