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Thread ID: 136008 2014-01-09 02:31:00 Can't initialise new HDD in XP Vicx (11114) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1364734 2014-01-09 02:31:00 I usually either plug in my new 2.5" SATA HDDs into a USB enclosure or straight using the SATA cables and format them fine with EASEUS partition manager, but it's not working with this particular HDD taken from a PS4. PS3 HDDs have their own file systems but no problem formatting them to NTFS or FAT32 in XP.

It says this is a GPT disk in partition manager and there's literally nothing I can do, all options greyed out. checked google and everyone says to use Disk Management in XP to initialise the HDD but all options are greyed out.

Swiss Knife v3 does format it to both NTFS/FAT32 but it doesn't actually make any difference, still nothing showing in my computer.

Also tried Killdisk but nothing either.

Attached screens below. I'm completely stumped..

imageshack.com


(click the image above, NOT the image below, forum completely butchered it)
Vicx (11114)
1364735 2014-01-09 03:29:00 You may have to do this to get rid of the GPT protective partition (knowledge.seagate.com). If thats the hdd / partition you're trying to use Speedy Gonzales (78)
1364736 2014-01-09 03:48:00 You could try another partition manager like AOMEI Partition Assistant which recognises GPT partitions.

As SwissKnife is for XP, and XP is elderly and predates GPT, that is probably why the options are greyed out. It is also possible that the Diskpart program in XP is also too old to deal with GPT.
Terry Porritt (14)
1364737 2014-01-09 03:59:00 You may have to do this to get rid of the GPT protective partition (knowledge.seagate.com). If thats the hdd / partition you're trying to use

HA, that was too easy, you're a legend thanks. Now I understand the name..

Used diskpart, selected the disk then clean. Then opened disk management and was able to initialise it afterwards. Lastly, opened Partition Manager to format it in FAT32.

All done and dusted, cheers.
Vicx (11114)
1364738 2014-01-09 04:16:00 Excellent ! Umm FYI. Depending on WHAT you're putting on the hdd, if you're going to put files that are over 4 GB in size, the hdd needs to be formatted in NTFS. FAT32 has a limitation of 4 GB Speedy Gonzales (78)
1364739 2014-01-09 10:52:00 I know but I needed it as FAT32 for a PS3 to read it. Thanks again for your help, I spent an hour or so trying to figure it out and your solution only took me a second! Vicx (11114)
1364740 2014-01-09 21:40:00 No worries :) Speedy Gonzales (78)
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