HELP! How do I format a new HDD??

[doofs10]

Hi all,

Needing a little help. Managed to get hold of a 3.5" 250GB SATA HDD from Hitachi but it didn’t come with any software and I have connected it up to my PC but I can’t find it anywhere. I figure it needs formatting for the first time but I just don’t know how to do it.

I have tried what was suggested in the Windows XP Help and Support guides which was to go to Administrative Tools, Computer Management and go to Disc Management and to try to "Rescan Disc's" to find the one I want and to format it from there but it just does not see the drive. I know that it’s connected OK and working cos I can feel it spinning up and working but my PC just will not see it.

Anyone got any idea's what I can do? Your help would be most appreciated.

[cauzomb]

What model drive?
Does it show up in the bios?

[1069]

but I can’t find it anywhere

If you goto Start > Run and type in ....diskmgmt.msc....OK can you see it there?
If you can you should be able to right click on it and format from the drop-down menu.
Suggest that you format NTFS and not FAT32.

[cauzomb]

1069, please read the OP's thread completely before posting; they have already used disk managment in attempts to diagnose the problem.

If you can get the disk model; go to the hitachi webiste; download disk manager or ogt, depending on what model drive; there are other apps to create a boot cd, for disk manager 4.11 etc..

Ensure that all your cables are connected correctly; that the sata cable doesn't have any major kinks in it that may cause a break in the sata cable; same with the power cable etc.. Start your computer and enter the bios setup; check to ensure that the sata channel is enabled; and that your new drive is being detected. Once you have verified that it is up and running/detected by the bios etc.. Boot the Hitachi utillity, run the disk fitness test, as well as format the drive using ntfs or fat32; either one is OK, but as 1069 has mentioned, ntfs is recommended due to the size of the disk as well as your current OS.

[1069]

...they have already used disk managment

I stand corrected