"disk not formatted," rcvrd files, now i cant format

Cmpltlybffld · 10-12-2008, 07:49 PM

Hi folks.
So i had the classic "disk not formatted" error on my external 160gb maxtor. I eventually managed to recover all the files using test disk, copied them on to a friends computer because my HD is too small.
Then I tried to format the external next time it said "disk not formatted, would you like to format now" and it got about half way through then hung up. I tried afew more times with the same result. I got maxtor's "sea tools" to try a low level format, but it says it will not low level an external. Now test disk does not even recognize the external. I just need to format it so i can put my files back on it. any suggestions?

**simpswr** · 10-13-2008, 09:39 AM

and welcome to the Forum

The drive may have failed . . you can use the diagnostics on the Seatools disc to confirm or rule out

If you have to, take the drive out and temproarily attach in place of the CD/DVD drive

Cmpltlybffld · 10-13-2008, 11:00 AM

thanks for the reply. All seatools tests failed or were unavailable. I'll see if i can get a diagnostic out of it, and try to test it from my dvd drive.

**simpswr** · 10-13-2008, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cmpltlybffld

All seatools tests failed or were unavailable. .

Not a good sign . . How does it connect to the pc? . . USB?

Cmpltlybffld · 10-13-2008, 01:57 PM

USB. Two more details that maybe give a clue is that usually my external does a thorough amount of clicking & grinding while working, along with the red activity light. Ever since it became "unformatted," it clicks & grinds when it turns on, but after that all activity is just the light and no sound. Secondly, when I format it, it does fine everytime until about two thirds in, then hangs. same spot everytime, the red activity light starts going overtime when this happens and eventually i just stop the format. I never get a cannot format message or anything.

**simpswr** · 10-13-2008, 02:28 PM

Clicking and grinding are almost always a sign of drive failure

Cmpltlybffld · 10-13-2008, 03:13 PM

no, not an intense clicking & grinding - the clicking that indicates data transfer. I'm saying that the "thinking" clicking sound that has been going on since i got the drive stopped happening when my drive messed up, although the "activity" light is still lighting up when you try to access it.

**simpswr** · 10-13-2008, 03:29 PM

Well . . with all you have said, I think the drive has died . . can you remove it from the external case and install in in place of one of your cd/dvd drives and run seatools?

10-12-2008, 07:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
Cmpltlybffld Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 10 OS: xp	"disk not formatted," rcvrd files, now i cant format Hi folks. So i had the classic "disk not formatted" error on my external 160gb maxtor. I eventually managed to recover all the files using test disk, copied them on to a friends computer because my HD is too small. Then I tried to format the external next time it said "disk not formatted, would you like to format now" and it got about half way through then hung up. I tried afew more times with the same result. I got maxtor's "sea tools" to try a low level format, but it says it will not low level an external. Now test disk does not even recognize the external. I just need to format it so i can put my files back on it. any suggestions?

10-13-2008, 09:39 AM	#2 (permalink)
simpswr Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 12,267 OS: XP, Vista, Win 7	Re: "disk not formatted," rcvrd files, now i cant format and welcome to the Forum The drive may have failed . . you can use the diagnostics on the Seatools disc to confirm or rule out If you have to, take the drive out and temproarily attach in place of the CD/DVD drive __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BenchTest \| Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help How to post a Screen Shot \| PC running slow?

10-13-2008, 11:00 AM	#3 (permalink)
Cmpltlybffld Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 10 OS: xp	Re: "disk not formatted," rcvrd files, now i cant format thanks for the reply. All seatools tests failed or were unavailable. I'll see if i can get a diagnostic out of it, and try to test it from my dvd drive.

10-13-2008, 01:57 PM	#5 (permalink)
Cmpltlybffld Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 10 OS: xp	Re: "disk not formatted," rcvrd files, now i cant format USB. Two more details that maybe give a clue is that usually my external does a thorough amount of clicking & grinding while working, along with the red activity light. Ever since it became "unformatted," it clicks & grinds when it turns on, but after that all activity is just the light and no sound. Secondly, when I format it, it does fine everytime until about two thirds in, then hangs. same spot everytime, the red activity light starts going overtime when this happens and eventually i just stop the format. I never get a cannot format message or anything.

10-13-2008, 02:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
simpswr Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 12,267 OS: XP, Vista, Win 7	Re: "disk not formatted," rcvrd files, now i cant format Clicking and grinding are almost always a sign of drive failure __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BenchTest \| Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help How to post a Screen Shot \| PC running slow?

10-13-2008, 03:13 PM	#7 (permalink)
Cmpltlybffld Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 10 OS: xp	Re: "disk not formatted," rcvrd files, now i cant format no, not an intense clicking & grinding - the clicking that indicates data transfer. I'm saying that the "thinking" clicking sound that has been going on since i got the drive stopped happening when my drive messed up, although the "activity" light is still lighting up when you try to access it. Last edited by Cmpltlybffld; 10-13-2008 at 03:15 PM.

10-13-2008, 03:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
simpswr Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 12,267 OS: XP, Vista, Win 7	Re: "disk not formatted," rcvrd files, now i cant format Well . . with all you have said, I think the drive has died . . can you remove it from the external case and install in in place of one of your cd/dvd drives and run seatools? __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BenchTest \| Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help How to post a Screen Shot \| PC running slow?