Hard Drive Dead??

[abtruce]

I have been trying to reformat my 40GB external disk and it stops half way through. I am able to do the quick format though. After doing the quick format, i tried adding files. It was doing alright but suddenly the copying speed went down.


I ran the scan disk to check for errors and its stuck on Phase 5 for over an hour.


Is it time to throw it away???

When I copy to/from and external hard disk, do i have to use a software or is it ok to just cut/paste or copy/paste??

 

[Mundos]

low level format...you'll have to download the utility from the company's website

 

[Jiggz]

Technically it's "zero'ing" but other calls it low level format. Zero'ing could fix your problem. If not then it's time to toss it out.

 

[Googer]

It could be that the USB ports or USB driver are not working properly have you tried a differant computer? Does a USB flash drive work on this computer? If you need to perform a low level format, then download the UlitimateBootCD and it has the proper utilities to perform the task.

 

[abtruce]

Thank you.. I did tht.. It works now.. But another problem, when i copy the files it gives me a delay write failed error. I checked and found tht it might have to do with memory caching.. i disbaled it... but stil no luck..

 

[JimPhelpsMI]

Hi, Quick Format only configures the sectors and clusters. It does nothing to the rest of the drive. Just about the same as Deleting the files which leaves the data and only marks the first character of the FileName so the system will know its space can be reused. Also updates the 2 FAT tables for the same reason. A real Format checks all sectors/clusters and can detect a bad sector and lock out it's cluster. The real format is telling you that something is wrong with the drive. Try the drive maker's diagnostic. Zeroing may or may not do any good at all.
Good Luck, Jim

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: JimPhelpsMI
Hi, Quick Format only configures the sectors and clusters. It does nothing to the rest of the drive. Just about the same as Deleting the files which leaves the data and only marks the first character of the FileName so the system will know its space can be reused. Also updates the 2 FAT tables for the same reason. A real Format checks all sectors/clusters and can detect a bad sector and lock out it's cluster. The real format is telling you that something is wrong with the drive. Try the drive maker's diagnostic. Zeroing may or may not do any good at all.
Good Luck, Jim

Jim,

If I am not mistaken, don't some low level format utilities from certain drive makers attempt to repair bad sectors/clusters?

 

[corkyg]

Originally posted by: Googer
If I am not mistaken, don't some low level format utilities from certain drive makers attempt to repair bad sectors/clusters?

Yes. And the best for that is Gibson SpinRite 6. It is non-destructive. The OEM processes are destructive as far as didk content goes.

SR6

 

[Googer]

Originally posted by: corkyg

Originally posted by: Googer
If I am not mistaken, don't some low level format utilities from certain drive makers attempt to repair bad sectors/clusters?

Yes. And the best for that is Gibson SpinRite 6. It is non-destructive. The OEM processes are destructive as far as didk content goes.

SR6

Thanks for the Reminder, I have spinrite but completely forgot about it. (It's been a while since I last used it)
GRC.com

 

[abtruce]

Originally posted by: abtruce
Thank you.. I did tht.. It works now.. But another problem, when i copy the files it gives me a delay write failed error. I checked and found tht it might have to do with memory caching.. i disbaled it... but stil no luck..

Wat abt this delay write failed error??