Windows 2000 setup unable to format partition

[Leenie]

I hope I picked the right forum for this. I think it's a hardware problem.

I had a new hard drive installed and upon reboot I get a "Missing operating system" error. I don't want to put a ghost image back on because this pc has always been a problem. I want to start from scratch and install Windows 2000 again. However, I only get so far when I get:

"Setup was unable to format a partition. Disk may be damaged."

Any idea what the problem might be?

Thanks.

Colleen Gayle Lane
Milton Public Library

 

[Sleepsalot]

Check to make the drive has the jumper properly configuerd. What brand drive is it ? Is it the only drive on that ide cable? If not you need to set the jumpers for master slave configuration.

Wayne

 

[Leenie]

I think the jumper is properly configured. It is the only drive and it's a Western Digital.

Colleen Gayle Lane
Milton Public Library

 

[wolluf]

What sort of 'trouble' have you had with this machine? Assuming your new drive is ok, other hardware faults (particularly RAM, but may be any component) can cause problems which look like they're software or hard drive orientated.

If you have > 1 stick of memory, try with each stick on its own. Also disconnect any 'non-wital' hardware - such as sound, network, modem cards, CD/DVD writers, printers, scanners, zip drives etc).

 

[mainegeek]

Leenie,
Have you partitioned the drive? You need to partition before you can format.

 

[Sleepsalot]

If it is the only drive then you don't need any jumper.

Wayne

 

[bobbers64]

IVE HAD DUFF RAM THAT CAUSED ALL SORTS OF TROULBLE. RUN MEMTEST BEFORE DOING ANYTHING ELSE.
I PURCHASED A NEW HARD DRIVE FOR THE SAME REASON AND IT WAS THE RAM ALL THE TIME

 

[Leenie]

I partitioned it and still get the same error. I guess I'll have the guy come back out and look at the hard drive and probably replace it again.

Colleen Gayle Lane
Milton Public Library

 

[wolluf]

Leenie - did you try anything I suggested? If it's not a hard drive problem, you'll just get problem reoccurring if you replace hard drive (the clue for us being 'always been a problem' - note bobbers64's post as well).