WD Green advanced format - possible xp pro problem.

ElectroBlaster · 13 Jun 2010 at 18:56

I need some advice regarding western digital greenpower drives and the fact they use advanced formatting. I used the wd align program to align all my partitions, cant remember if that was before installing xp pro or after but its worked ok for a few months until this afternoon everything went to hell

Ive had problem after problem trying to get windows back on and im seeing lots of strange things like being unable to delete stuff and the initial xp installation screen being unable to detect the primary partition, it just says unknown... I also did try to get speedfan running before I wiped everything and there were no signs of any problem. Im now still trying to get xp on and its just failing to copy files over and giving me the option to skip... something is way off here and I dont know what!

EDIT: I formatted the primary partition before trying to get xp on.

Zarf · 13 Jun 2010 at 19:31

I'm afraid it sounds a lot like your drive has had it

Try running SpinRite (plenty of help vids on youtube)

ElectroBlaster · 13 Jun 2010 at 21:20

Yep im starting to get the picture now... its either the carp motherboard im using or the drive has given up already, its only 4months old

I tried windows 7 and its failed at the very last leg of the install. Dam thing

UltraNEO* · 14 Jun 2010 at 04:52

Hmm.. Curious, did you follow the support documentary on WD's website? Or run the utility as is?

"To create a single Windows XP partition from a clean install, apply a jumper across pins 7-8. If you choose this option, DO NOT run the WD Align utility. Setting the jumper is all that is required to achieve full performance; however, the jumper must be installed prior to drive installation and partitioning. For a clean install of Windows XP into multiple partitions, DO NOT install the jumper, simply run the WD Align utility.

If you intend to use cloning software to copy any Windows operating system (Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7), to your WD Advanced format drive, the WD Align utility is required. Many cloning software tools are not current enough to take advantage of Advanced Format hard drives and by running WD Align, you will ensure your Advanced Format hard drive operates at full performance."

source: http://www.wdc.com/en/products/advancedformat/

ElectroBlaster · 16 Jun 2010 at 21:52

Yup followed it to the letter, its odd but only one drive went south and the rest are perfect. But the pc will not accept xp pro sp2... I tried mce 2008 sp3 and that worked... Im even more stumped now!

Im still going to dump the motherboard, had one of the same model go last year and it took a seagate drive with it and that was in a completely different case and psu. Serves me right for trusting the same make again I guess :rolleyes: