Unable to format to NTFS

eLbot · 12 Feb 2007 at 21:01

Hey guys, recently installed vista and installed a new drive for storage. Device manager listed it as RAW so I tried to format it to NTFS, but no matter what I do, it says the format is complete but that the file system is RAW. It doesn’t seem to be able to format and wont open in My computer as it says a format is required, which it completes but is still RAW and then I’m back where I started.

Any suggestion on what to do?

eLbot · 12 Feb 2007 at 23:40

Just tried to run it via commands prompt with the flags:

FORMAT P: /FS:NTFS /C

And received this output:

The type of the file system is RAW.
The new file system is NTFS.
WARNING, ALL DATA ON NON-REMOVABLE DISK DRIVE P: WILL BE LOST!
Proceed with Format <Y/N>?

Replied with Y to receive this at the end of it:

Formatting 381558M
10064 bad sectors were encountered during the format. These sectors cannot be guaranteed to have been cleaned. Volume label <32 characters, ENTER for none>?
Creating file system structures.
The second NTFS boot sector is un-writeable.
The first NTFS boot sector is un-writeable.
All NTFS boot sectors are un-writable. Cannot continue.
Format failed.

rpstewart · 13 Feb 2007 at 08:01

Have you tried deleting and recreating the partition before formatting it?

After that the disk manufacturer's own diagnostic tools are worth a shot.

ByteJuggler · 13 Feb 2007 at 10:22

I would also vote for disk diagnostics. It sounds to me like that drive has problems...

eLbot · 13 Feb 2007 at 15:11

Fixed it =)

I removed the MBR using segates tools and then allowed windows to form the new GTP system and 3 hours worth of formatting later it’s fine. Thanks for your help guys.