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Thread ID: 77095 2007-02-26 20:12:00 Seagate 320GB SATA drive formatting hell supersi (8401) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
528358 2007-02-26 20:12:00 I bought a Seagate 320GB SATA drive to replace the ATA drives I've been using. I thought I would be clever and install, format & partition up the hard drive then copy over my files from the ATA drives, then set the first partition as primary and active and install Windows XP Pro.

First of all BIOS would detect the drive but not in Windows so I went and did a low level format with Partition Magic diskettes, no problem.
I then booted into windows and the drive was visible.

I then partitioned the disk the way I wanted it, rebooted with the Win XP CD-ROM and went to install. To my horror it appeared (sleep affects concentration) Win XP proceeded to install over my existing C: ATA XP OS.
I couldn't stop it so I held-in the power button and rebooted.
It now appears that Windows was trying to install onto the right disk but I rather abruptly stopped it's install.

The C: is fine but the 320GB SATA when I try to format it says 'bad partition table' or something to that affect. I can't give the exact error message as I am away somewhere else.

I just want to blow away whatever is on the disk and start again.
supersi (8401)
528359 2007-02-26 21:23:00 Go to Seagate's website www.seagate.com
and download the Diskwizard tool (free!). This can be used to create a boot disk (diskette or CD) and gives you several tools to repair, partition and format your disk. It is simple to use and should solve your problem.
andy (473)
528360 2007-02-26 22:34:00 I thought I would be clever and install, format & partition up the hard drive then copy over my files from the ATA drives, then set the first partition as primary and active and install Windows XP Pro.


So whats the problem? Except I'd do the install first.
That way you can create and format the partitions via XPs install.

Or even easier, Ghost it all over from the old one.
pctek (84)
528361 2007-02-26 23:34:00 yeah, you don't need to partition or format anything before installing XP. Unplug your old drive, boot up off XP CD, you can then wipe any partitions you have got and re-create and format new ones as part of the XP install process.

Or even easier, Ghost it all over from the old one. ;)
trig42 (11325)
528362 2007-02-27 04:09:00 will ghosting work if I'm if I'm copying from an 80GB ATA to a 320GB SATA drive?
I thought the hardware profiles had to be the same? If not is it easy?
supersi (8401)
528363 2007-02-27 06:37:00 you can't download diskwizard from Seagate at the moment! supersi (8401)
528364 2007-02-27 07:13:00 "DiscWizard is going through a transition. We are currently updating the utility to better fit the needs of today’s technology (improved USB mouse support, improved support for diagnostic partitions, upcoming Windows Vista support). During this transition we will be providing newer tools and discontinuing the older tools. Etc etc.

If you are upgrading and want to migrate your data from the old drive to the new drive we provide Migrate Easy as an option. "

Doesn't that describe what you're trying to do?
PaulD (232)
528365 2007-02-27 07:15:00 i guess so supersi (8401)
528366 2007-02-27 07:56:00 It's a bit silly calling it Disk Wizard on one page and then Migrate on another though. supersi (8401)
528367 2007-02-27 09:13:00 I downloaded Migrat Easy but twice the download was corrupted, I decided to boot from my XP CD and install it onto the Hard Drive....now my 320GB Hard Drive is showing as 127.99GB!!!
How can I utilise the whole drive??
supersi (8401)
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