Problem formatting OCZ Vertex 120GB

kildaredave · 16 Aug 2011 at 21:54

I just took delivery of a replacement OCZ Vertex 120GB drive - the first one died after ~ 5 weeks.

I connected it up to my Windows Vista (don't laugh) machine, initialised it and am trying to format it so I can re-install Windows 7. I get the message "The format did not complete successfully", and am left with a 119.24GB drive in RAW format.

What should I be doing next? Thanks in advance.

bradders2000 · 16 Aug 2011 at 23:31

Have you tried doing a secure erase on it?

You know the installer can initialise, partition and format (only quick format as it's ssd) the drive yeah? You don't need to do it beforehand.

mikeo · 16 Aug 2011 at 23:37

In fact... a full format wont do it a power of good!!!!

As bradders2000 says "let the Windows install do it for you".

kildaredave · 17 Aug 2011 at 08:39

Thanks for the replies.

I've gone to Computer Management, initialised partitioned and formatted the drive through that. It assigns a drive letter, but when I get the message "The format did not complete successfully" and the drive remains in RAW format. It shows up as a hard disk drive, but with a capacity of 0 bytes.

I'll try a secure erase when I get home. If I've done something wrong, or should do something different let me know!

Cheers

Levirginien · 17 Aug 2011 at 09:51

kildaredave said:
Thanks for the replies.

I've gone to Computer Management, initialised partitioned and formatted the drive through that. It assigns a drive letter, but when I get the message "The format did not complete successfully" and the drive remains in RAW format. It shows up as a hard disk drive, but with a capacity of 0 bytes.

I'll try a secure erase when I get home. If I've done something wrong, or should do something different let me know!

Cheers

That is looking for trouble...

You do not need all these. From the box or after secure erasing, just plug in the drive, go to BIOS and make sure you select AHCI as your SATA Option, then pop in your installation disk or media and let windows do its thing. You'll be given patitioning option during the installation but windows will take care of the rest...

mikeo · 17 Aug 2011 at 13:34

and once again. NEVER full format an SSD, only quick format.

Though as mentioned by a couple of people. Secure Erase it (as a secondary using OCZ toolbox, or via Parted Magic ... see OCZ user forum for full details of how to do this), set AHCI in BIOS, make sure it is the ONLY drive you have commented. Boot from your Windows disk and partition etc. that way.

Good luck.

PS. Great FAQ on the OCZ user forum covering all things SSD.