hard drive won't format.

eugene_w · 07-11-2007, 04:31 PM

hi! i'm eugene_w, new to site and less knowledgeable than most.
any assistance received, must be in (lay) terms.

my old laptop(xf235) uses winxp os. it has crashed to a point where it
will not boot. therefore, winxp is unavailable. using a win98 startup
disk gives me access to hard drive directory. i receive "drive don't/won't
support format" and/or "no fdisks" when i try formatting or fdisks commands.
HELP!

**TheMatt** · 07-12-2007, 12:43 PM

Hi Eugene, and welcome to TSF!

First, who is the manufacturer of this laptop and what is the model number? Did it come with recovery CDs?

You can partition the hard disk manually by doing this:

Download Ultimate Boot CD from my sig (UBCD) below. I would download the Zip format so you will have a smaller download size. Then, burn the ISO in the Zip file to a CD using ISO recorder:
http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm

Once the CD is done, boot off the CD. Put the CD in and reboot. If it doesn't seem to see the CD or it spins up but continues booting normally, post back and I will show you how to change the boot order.

Go into the Filesystem Tools section and then select Ranish Partition Manager. Use that to partition your drive. Create one or two partitions that use the NTFS filesystem.

eugene_w · 07-12-2007, 01:10 PM

it is a hp pavillion xf235(ze1000se). i am about to download a "ultimate boot disk" from eddiemaintenance.com. i shall try yours first. i certainly appreciate
your effort to solve my problem. thanks!

**TheMatt** · 07-12-2007, 02:25 PM

Before you use UBCD, take a look at this: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/f...name=c00678968

If you have the CDs that came with this laptop, then you can use those instructions. If not, take a look at this: http://www.techsupportforum.com/841779-post3.html

Those instructions should be standard.In your case, you will want to perform a destructive recovery (destructive meaning it erases your current Windows installation).

You're welcome.

PC-Repair · 07-12-2007, 02:47 PM

not sure if already mentioned, but does your/this laptop have a recovery partition?

eugene_w · 07-14-2007, 08:46 AM

the recovery disks are not available. fdisks commands get "no fisk disks" response.
do i unzip ubcd before iso recording? don't want to destroy another pc.

**TheMatt** · 07-14-2007, 11:26 AM

Yeah, you unzip the .iso file to a place like My Documents, then right click on the file and select "Burn to CD" (or something similar).

If you have a Windows XP or 2000 CD, you can use that to partition and format the disk as well. I would consider purchasing a Windows XP CD or borrowing one and using your Windows XP key (on the bottom of your laptop). I would not install Windows 98 if possible.

eugene_w · 07-15-2007, 02:19 PM

the way this drive is clicking makes me believe it's had it.
nothing seems to work. however, i greatly appreciated
your help.

thanks!

**TheMatt** · 07-15-2007, 02:38 PM

If it is clicking unusually loud or constantly even when it is not reading/writing data, it is a sign of imminent failure. Luckily you don't have important data off it. If the computer randomly shuts down during hard disk intensive activities, then you need a new disk.

Also take a look at this: http://www.techsupportforum.com/827480-post44.html

PC-Repair · 07-15-2007, 05:35 PM

+1
you need a new drive

07-11-2007, 04:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
eugene_w Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4 OS: winxp	hard drive won't format. hi! i'm eugene_w, new to site and less knowledgeable than most. any assistance received, must be in (lay) terms. my old laptop(xf235) uses winxp os. it has crashed to a point where it will not boot. therefore, winxp is unavailable. using a win98 startup disk gives me access to hard drive directory. i receive "drive don't/won't support format" and/or "no fdisks" when i try formatting or fdisks commands. HELP!

07-12-2007, 12:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,702 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: hard drive won't format. Hi Eugene, and welcome to TSF! First, who is the manufacturer of this laptop and what is the model number? Did it come with recovery CDs? You can partition the hard disk manually by doing this: Download Ultimate Boot CD from my sig (UBCD) below. I would download the Zip format so you will have a smaller download size. Then, burn the ISO in the Zip file to a CD using ISO recorder: http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm Once the CD is done, boot off the CD. Put the CD in and reboot. If it doesn't seem to see the CD or it spins up but continues booting normally, post back and I will show you how to change the boot order. Go into the Filesystem Tools section and then select Ranish Partition Manager. Use that to partition your drive. Create one or two partitions that use the NTFS filesystem. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

07-12-2007, 01:10 PM	#3 (permalink)
eugene_w Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4 OS: winxp	Re: hard drive won't format. it is a hp pavillion xf235(ze1000se). i am about to download a "ultimate boot disk" from eddiemaintenance.com. i shall try yours first. i certainly appreciate your effort to solve my problem. thanks!

07-12-2007, 02:25 PM	#4 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,702 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: hard drive won't format. Before you use UBCD, take a look at this: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/f...name=c00678968 If you have the CDs that came with this laptop, then you can use those instructions. If not, take a look at this: http://www.techsupportforum.com/841779-post3.html Those instructions should be standard.In your case, you will want to perform a destructive recovery (destructive meaning it erases your current Windows installation). You're welcome. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

07-12-2007, 02:47 PM	#5 (permalink)
PC-Repair Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 10 OS: XP My System	Re: hard drive won't format. not sure if already mentioned, but does your/this laptop have a recovery partition?

07-14-2007, 08:46 AM	#6 (permalink)
eugene_w Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4 OS: winxp	Re: hard drive won't format. the recovery disks are not available. fdisks commands get "no fisk disks" response. do i unzip ubcd before iso recording? don't want to destroy another pc.

07-14-2007, 11:26 AM	#7 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,702 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: hard drive won't format. Yeah, you unzip the .iso file to a place like My Documents, then right click on the file and select "Burn to CD" (or something similar). If you have a Windows XP or 2000 CD, you can use that to partition and format the disk as well. I would consider purchasing a Windows XP CD or borrowing one and using your Windows XP key (on the bottom of your laptop). I would not install Windows 98 if possible. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides Last edited by TheMatt; 07-14-2007 at 11:28 AM.

07-15-2007, 02:19 PM	#8 (permalink)
eugene_w Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4 OS: winxp	Re: hard drive won't format. the way this drive is clicking makes me believe it's had it. nothing seems to work. however, i greatly appreciated your help. thanks!

07-15-2007, 02:38 PM	#9 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,702 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Re: hard drive won't format. If it is clicking unusually loud or constantly even when it is not reading/writing data, it is a sign of imminent failure. Luckily you don't have important data off it. If the computer randomly shuts down during hard disk intensive activities, then you need a new disk. Also take a look at this: http://www.techsupportforum.com/827480-post44.html __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

07-15-2007, 05:35 PM	#10 (permalink)
PC-Repair Registered User Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 10 OS: XP My System	Re: hard drive won't format. +1 you need a new drive