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HD cannot format done write zero

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  • Computers
  • Storage
  • HD
  • Format
Last response: in Storage
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October 11, 2014 10:34:17 PM

my WD hd did the write zero format thing what should i do next? i cant see it anymore at the my computer, but i can see it at my computer>manage and it says left box says "disk 1 not initialized" then left box says "unallocated" what should i do next??

btw: its smart status is PASS


THANKS.

More about : format write

a b G Storage
October 11, 2014 10:39:21 PM

Right mouse on it / format it
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October 11, 2014 10:54:25 PM

it says cannot format completedly.

heres the whole story at the manage window i try to format it but it says cannot format completedly then boogie_wd says i may try the write zero thinghy so after 16hrs of formatting its done. the only option if im going to right click the "not initialized" is to initialized and properties. and if im going to click the clack bar the new volume is unavailble the only option allowed is properties.

Paul NZ said:
Right mouse on it / format it


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a c 365 G Storage
October 12, 2014 8:52:02 AM

Since you have Zero Filled the drive, it has NOTHING on it - not even a definition of Partitions. You need to set it up just like a brand new empty HDD using Disk Management. In older Windows (XP, for example) this means you Create a Partition and then Format that in a second separate operation. More recently, these two steps have been collected together under the label "Initialize" the drive. The most recent Windows uses the term "Create a New Simple Volume".
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October 12, 2014 9:09:28 AM

after initializing and create new volume what should be next?


Paperdoc said:
Since you have Zero Filled the drive, it has NOTHING on it - not even a definition of Partitions. You need to set it up just like a brand new empty HDD using Disk Management. In older Windows (XP, for example) this means you Create a Partition and then Format that in a second separate operation. More recently, these two steps have been collected together under the label "Initialize" the drive. The most recent Windows uses the term "Create a New Simple Volume".


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a c 365 G Storage
October 12, 2014 9:36:59 AM

"Initialize" and "Create a New Simple Volume" are the same thing, just different labels for them used by different versions of Windows. But once either of those operations is done, my suggestion is that you back out of Disk Management and reboot so Windows can update its Registry files. When you reboot, you should find that HDD in My Computer, ready to use like any other storage unit.
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October 12, 2014 9:43:43 AM

if im abt to click the black bar new voume is unable to click. if i click the one on the left itialize can be clicked. what do you mean to back out the disk management?

Paperdoc said:
"Initialize" and "Create a New Simple Volume" are the same thing, just different labels for them used by different versions of Windows. But once either of those operations is done, my suggestion is that you back out of Disk Management and reboot so Windows can update its Registry files. When you reboot, you should find that HDD in My Computer, ready to use like any other storage unit.


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a c 365 G Storage
October 12, 2014 8:22:20 PM

I just mean that, AFTER the Initialize process is finished (it will take a few hours!), you end Disk Management, close any other apps, and reboot.
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October 12, 2014 8:25:04 PM

hi there. after formatting ang itializing ang making a new volume the drive says need to format? do i did something wrong? is there any option??

thanks i appreciate your replies

Paperdoc said:
I just mean that, AFTER the Initialize process is finished (it will take a few hours!), you end Disk Management, close any other apps, and reboot.


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a c 365 G Storage
October 12, 2014 9:38:06 PM

The "Initialize" process should have done two things: Create a Partition on the HDD, then Format it. If that process finished completely and your machine still says it needs to be Formatted, it is likely there is something wrong with the HDD. You should use HDD diagnostic software to test it.

For good free diagnostic software specifically for WD units, go to the WD website and download and install their utility called Data Lifeguard. There are a few versions of it. Since it appears you can boot Windows from another HDD and run that way, download the "for Windows" version. Use it to test your troubled HDD. There are three main tools you can use. The first thing it will do, once you tell it exactly which HDD to test, is read and display the SMART data. This may tell you something, but may not be really helpful. The second tool is called the "Short Test". Run that. If it detects problems it will tell you a name and an error code. Write those down. Whether or not that Short Test finds errors, you can run the "Long Test", and write down any errors it reports. If both those tests tell you there is NO problem with the HDD, then there is no problem. That would indicate that you somehow made an error and it can be fixed.

If those tests tell you there are errors, contact WD Tech Support for advice on what to do. If they are simple there MAY be ways to fix them. If they are serious, you may have to discard the unit and buy a new one.

Let us know what you find out.
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October 12, 2014 10:52:41 PM

thanks ive done that data lifeguard yesterday and i have errors with that 2 test.

Paperdoc said:
The "Initialize" process should have done two things: Create a Partition on the HDD, then Format it. If that process finished completely and your machine still says it needs to be Formatted, it is likely there is something wrong with the HDD. You should use HDD diagnostic software to test it.

For good free diagnostic software specifically for WD units, go to the WD website and download and install their utility called Data Lifeguard. There are a few versions of it. Since it appears you can boot Windows from another HDD and run that way, download the "for Windows" version. Use it to test your troubled HDD. There are three main tools you can use. The first thing it will do, once you tell it exactly which HDD to test, is read and display the SMART data. This may tell you something, but may not be really helpful. The second tool is called the "Short Test". Run that. If it detects problems it will tell you a name and an error code. Write those down. Whether or not that Short Test finds errors, you can run the "Long Test", and write down any errors it reports. If both those tests tell you there is NO problem with the HDD, then there is no problem. That would indicate that you somehow made an error and it can be fixed.

If those tests tell you there are errors, contact WD Tech Support for advice on what to do. If they are simple there MAY be ways to fix them. If they are serious, you may have to discard the unit and buy a new one.

Let us know what you find out.


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!