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arod199113 · Dec 9th, 2005, 10:37 PM

how do i format a hrd drive that isnt recoginzed by windows?
when i connect it and turn my pc on, it sais new hard ware found, but wont install, and when i go to device manager it comes up and sais its working fine
but in "My Computer" it dont show anything
i cant do it in command prompt, causei dont know the drive letter cause there isnt one

Kilo · Dec 9th, 2005, 10:42 PM

nice avatar!!! sorry lol, but good luck!

Lich · Dec 10th, 2005, 1:26 AM

There's a variety of ways. I'm pretty sure you can use DOS's format tool to do it. You can use something like Partition Magic or Paragon Hard Disk Manager, or you could pop in your windows install CD, have it format the drive then restart the comp after it formats but before it starts copying install files.

coldDeath · Dec 10th, 2005, 3:32 AM

Lich has pretty much summed it up.

If you prefer to do everything visually, or if you don't really know how to partition and format hard drives, i suggest you use PartitionMagic (I don't own that software) or Paragon Partition Manager (I used to use this all the time until i found that Linux liveCDs have tools for the job).

If you want to use a linux liveCD, you can can use fdisk to format and parition the harddrive, then use one of the numerous tools to give it a filesystem. For example, if you wanted to make it FAT32, you could use mkdosfs, or for somehtign liek ReiserFS you could use mkreiserfs.

Lich · Dec 10th, 2005, 9:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coldDeath

If you want to use a linux liveCD, you can can use fdisk to format and parition the harddrive, then use one of the numerous tools to give it a filesystem. For example, if you wanted to make it FAT32, you could use mkdosfs, or for somehtign liek ReiserFS you could use mkreiserfs.

Does windows support anything like Reiser yet?> I Haven't even looked into that stuff in a couple of years

crawforddavid2006 · Dec 10th, 2005, 9:57 AM

Do you have a boot disc? It can be windows 98, 2000, If you have one let me know then I can help

coldDeath · Dec 10th, 2005, 10:28 AM

Lich, i beleive there are 3rd party tools to let windows read from and write to Reiser and others.

groovicus · Dec 10th, 2005, 10:35 AM

Have you set a partition on the disk yet? You won't be able to format it until you do so.And since you mention that it shows up in "My Computer", can I assume that it is a secondary disk? Is it eventually meant to be the primary drive?

Since you didn't mention what your OS was, here is a reference from Microsoft for XP:
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=313348 Just ignore the intro stuff if you are not formatting a primary partition, otherwise the rest of the instructions are the same.

This is another helpful, all encompassing tut:
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tuto...torial116.html

Polyphemus_ · Dec 10th, 2005, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by groovicus

Since you didn't mention what your OS was

Well... he did:

Quote:

Originally Posted by arod199113

how do i format a hrd drive that isnt recoginzed by windows?

Mad_guy · Dec 10th, 2005, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lich

Does windows support anything like Reiser yet?> I Haven't even looked into that stuff in a couple of years

http://p-nand-q.com/download/rfstool.html
http://yareg.akucom.de/index.html
http://www.fs-driver.org/

That covers ReiserFS and Ext2/3, I haven't seen anything for stuff like UFS yet.

Dec 9th, 2005, 10:37 PM	#1
arod199113 Programmer Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 86 Rep Power: 0	format hard drive how do i format a hrd drive that isnt recoginzed by windows? when i connect it and turn my pc on, it sais new hard ware found, but wont install, and when i go to device manager it comes up and sais its working fine but in "My Computer" it dont show anything i cant do it in command prompt, causei dont know the drive letter cause there isnt one

Dec 9th, 2005, 10:42 PM	#2
Kilo Expert Programmer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: In Pink Clam? Posts: 542 Rep Power: 0	nice avatar!!! sorry lol, but good luck! __________________ "When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do" "Beauty is in the eye of the BEER holder" "Save your breath your going to need it for your blow up doll later" SearchLores.org

Dec 10th, 2005, 1:26 AM	#3
Lich Professional Programmer Join Date: May 2005 Location: Detroit Posts: 254 Rep Power: 4	There's a variety of ways. I'm pretty sure you can use DOS's format tool to do it. You can use something like Partition Magic or Paragon Hard Disk Manager, or you could pop in your windows install CD, have it format the drive then restart the comp after it formats but before it starts copying install files. __________________ --John Cruz Web Developer www.cruzweb.net

Dec 10th, 2005, 3:32 AM	#4
coldDeath Expert Programmer Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: UK Posts: 862 Rep Power: 3	Lich has pretty much summed it up. If you prefer to do everything visually, or if you don't really know how to partition and format hard drives, i suggest you use PartitionMagic (I don't own that software) or Paragon Partition Manager (I used to use this all the time until i found that Linux liveCDs have tools for the job). If you want to use a linux liveCD, you can can use fdisk to format and parition the harddrive, then use one of the numerous tools to give it a filesystem. For example, if you wanted to make it FAT32, you could use mkdosfs, or for somehtign liek ReiserFS you could use mkreiserfs. __________________ Programming Tutorials - Linux Installation Guide - Learn Python - Learn C++ Got Slack? Join us at #programmingforums @ irc.freenode.net! My software never has bugs. It just develops random features.

Dec 10th, 2005, 10:28 AM	#7
coldDeath Expert Programmer Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: UK Posts: 862 Rep Power: 3	Lich, i beleive there are 3rd party tools to let windows read from and write to Reiser and others. __________________ Programming Tutorials - Linux Installation Guide - Learn Python - Learn C++ Got Slack? Join us at #programmingforums @ irc.freenode.net! My software never has bugs. It just develops random features.

Dec 10th, 2005, 9:57 AM	#6
crawforddavid2006 Expert Programmer Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Not sure yet Posts: 570 Rep Power: 0	Do you have a boot disc? It can be windows 98, 2000, If you have one let me know then I can help

Dec 10th, 2005, 10:35 AM	#8
groovicus Programmer Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 84 Rep Power: 4	Have you set a partition on the disk yet? You won't be able to format it until you do so.And since you mention that it shows up in "My Computer", can I assume that it is a secondary disk? Is it eventually meant to be the primary drive? Since you didn't mention what your OS was, here is a reference from Microsoft for XP: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=313348 Just ignore the intro stuff if you are not formatting a primary partition, otherwise the rest of the instructions are the same. This is another helpful, all encompassing tut: http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tuto...torial116.html __________________ HijackThis Team-SFDC

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