RMA my Raptor??? Need suggestions...

[Pr0d1gy]

I bought a used OEM Raptor on the trading forums here and for the last 24 hours have tried various methods for formatting the drive to install Windows. Everytime I start the format on the drive it just hangs at 0%. The only way I ever got it to format was by doing a quick format and from what I heard, that is only because it doesn't look for bad sectors.

Another wierd thing is when I do try to format & then come back, the drive has 70.904mb of unknown, partitioned space & 8mb or unpartitioned space. I don't use a partition when I install so i find this rather odd.

Anyways, my question for all of you is should I just go ahead & RMA this drive or what?? My mobo is a Neo4 Diamond SLI so I don't need the drivers to install Windows on a single SATA drive, otherwise I would try that. That said, when i do go to that f6 thing it asks for the hardware configuration disk from the manufacturer and it says it does not recognize the drive.

Thanks for your input.

 

[ScrapSilicon]

the drive has 70.904mb of unknown, partitioned space

not normal

& 8mb

normal itsa like a space/swap area setup for the ntfs setup

or unpartitioned space. I don't use a partition when I install so i find this rather odd.

Anyways, my question for all of you is should I just go ahead & RMA this drive

rma or resolve with seller if still under fortrade/fs terms of the original deal.. gl

 

[Pr0d1gy]

I have someone on the MSI website telling me to try the Data Lifeguard from Western Digital's website. Should I try this first or just go ahead & RMA the drive?

Also, what if I did a quick format again & tried to install Windows? The quick format is the only method that worked...?

 

[foofoo]

Originally posted by: Pr0d1gy
I have someone on the MSI website telling me to try the Data Lifeguard from Western Digital's website. Should I try this first or just go ahead & RMA the drive?

definitely try this first. the software will check your hd for a range of defects.

Also, what if I did a quick format again & tried to install Windows? The quick format is the only method that worked...?

i'd try to be sure that the drive is ok before i installed windows on it. otherwise it's just wasted effort.
good luck

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Right, I just pulled the drive to prepare to RMA it & noticed something wierd. The jumper is set up sideways on the two top right pins for the jumper settings....? If you counted left to right, it would be pins 3 & 4. Could this be what is causing the problems?

 

[foofoo]

hi,
i cant really picture what you are saying but this may help...
Text

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Well thos jumpers are installed on a vertical plane accross the pins, whereas mine is sideways...the complete opposite. Would this impair the ability of the drive to function?

 

[foofoo]

hi,
i dont know for sure but it could be. try putting the jumper on as per the documentation and see if it makes a difference...

 

[Pr0d1gy]

Well, here we go. I went & burned the Data Lifeguard on my dad's PC & changed the jumper to a correct position....I will update when i find out if it works.

 

[Pr0d1gy]

It's toast, RMA time...damnit.

 

[airfoil]

First off, why are there jumpers on an SATA Raptor?

 

[daveybrat]

Download the Maxtor Powermax Utility here:

PowerMax

And yes, this utility will work on any brand hard drive, not just maxtor's.

Make the boot disk it creates and after booting off of it, select your hard drive and do a low-level format on the drive (not the quick one)

If that still doesn't work, then RMA the drive

 

[Pr0d1gy]

OK, I will give that a try. Hopefully it will work.