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Thread ID: 69139 2006-05-23 02:59:00 How do I format a blank USB HDD? Billy T (70) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
457050 2006-05-23 02:59:00 Hi Team

I have just installed an unformatted Seagate 40GB HDD into a DSE USB 2 external drive case, it is detected ok, shows up in the task bar as a removable USB device and also appears in device manager. OS is W2K Pro.

Problem is, it doesn't show up in My Computer to allow me to format it. I assume that this is because it isn't formatted yet, but does this mean it can't be formatted over a USB link? Google was not particularly helpful, in fact it didn't help at all. :(

This is virgin territory for me, so where do I go from here?

Cheers

Billy 8-{) :confused:
Billy T (70)
457051 2006-05-23 03:09:00 Control panel / admin tools / computer management / disk management.

It SHOULD appear here as unallocated. Highlight it, and right mouse/format.

Does 2k have this?
Speedy Gonzales (78)
457052 2006-05-23 03:44:00 Thanks Speedy

Going through that sequence then clicking on Disk Management" brought up up the error message "Failed Connection to Logical Disk Management Service".

A second attempt brought up "The Logical Disk Manager Administrative Service is disabled, cannot connect"

I am logged on as adminstrator.

All paths lead to hell?

Cheers

Billy 8-{)
Billy T (70)
457053 2006-05-23 04:08:00 Run services.msc and check that the Logical Disk Manger Administrative Service is set to Manual. CYaBro (73)
457054 2006-05-23 04:08:00 Hmm Has 2k got a services icon under control panel / admin tools??

If it has go to logical disk manager, dbl click on it, and see if its on auto and started. If its stopped, click on start. See what happens.

See if there's also a local disk manager admin service entry. If there is, see if its on manual and stopped.

Also see if doing this (groups.google.co.nz is+disabled%2C+cannot+connect&rnum=2&hl=en#752b1ef59ae31be3) applies to 2k.
Speedy Gonzales (78)
457055 2006-05-23 04:58:00 If you have a spare 3 1/4 drive bay, install the drive in there (possibly with 2 screws) and try that. I know it's time consuming, but it may work. :D

:badpc:
pcuser42 (130)
457056 2006-05-23 06:19:00 Run services . msc and check that the Logical Disk Manger Administrative Service is set to Manual .
OK, it was off, so I set it to manual and now I can bring up all my disks (0 & 1, each with two partitions) and disk 2, the USB jobbie with the size 37 . 27 GB plus "Unallocated" shown in a small pane . Right-clicking brings up a basic properties information box but with no options for doing anything else . :confused:

Incidentally, why would I set it to manual when everything else is set to automatic? Just curious .

I know I can shift it to another drive bay (it is a 5 . 25 disk btw) but I'd rather not climb inside the box right now, and I should be able to format it in situ .

I enjoy a challenge . :groan:

Cheers

Billy 8-{)
Billy T (70)
457057 2006-05-23 06:29:00 Billy, I think that the suggestions are coming from people who have done this with XP. :D

A look at the links thrown up by"format USB disk w2k" to Google suggests to me that this is a problem. :groan: There may be a solution in one of them ... I'm off home now.
Graham L (2)
457058 2006-05-23 06:47:00 Incidentally, why would I set it to manual when everything else is set to automatic? Just curious.


Having it on manual means the service is only started when you go into Disk Management and then stops when you exit because it is not needed anymore. This way the service is not taking up resources.
CYaBro (73)
457059 2006-05-23 11:30:00 A look at the links thrown up by"format USB disk w2k" to Google suggests to me that this is a problem. :groan: There may be a solution in one of them ....
Well I've looked through them and there is nothing really relevant to this problem, and I've done a lot more searching besides in Google, the Windows help file, and in "Windows 2000 secrets" (Brian Livingstone) but nothing seems to address this particular problem. I have a few questions though:

1) What is the signature Wizard that keeps popping up, and do I need to add a signature?

2) If the disk space is unallocated, how do I allocate it, or is this just a fancy way of saying it isn't formatted yet?

3) To lose one's legs climbing mountains is rather bad luck, but to go back and lose your fingers as well sounds like downright carelessness doesn't it?

4) Could King Kong and Ann Darrow ever have made a go of their relationship, and if so, would she have become Queen Kong?

Cheers

Billy 8-{) :help:
Billy T (70)
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