[jazz3000]

Despite the fact that most Windows service packs were cumulative, Windows Service Pack 3 does require Service Pack 1 before installation. It is possible, however, to slipstream Service Pack 3 into your Windows XP setup files without any issues. It is also recommended that you have Windows XP Service Pack 2 installed before you setup Service Pack 3. I'm reading just the opposite Zygmo? Jazz

[Zygmo]

What do you mean that it automatically partitioned the drive when you installed it?

[ppinny]

Hi Jazz3000,

In "add/remove programs" i can only see sp3. Can i install SP1 with sp3 already installed?

Thanks, Ppinny

[Zygmo]

Well, Jazz, I cannot argue with you about that. I have not been able to get along with SP3. I just nlite with SP2 Slipstreamed, making a new boot disc everytime the latest hotfixes come out. Microsoft always says the latest SP always includes previous SPs, is the reason I said that.

[ppinny]

Zygmo,

I guess it did it automatically as it is now partitioned and i didn't do it.
The disc looks fine in explorer but "properties" reveals zero space, used or free.

PPinny.

[Zygmo]

Guys, things are getting away from us here.
Ppinny. Did you build, or buy your computer? Did you buy the HD, and a separate case for it, and install it in the little case yourself? Were there any jumpers on it, to be set?
I have never seen a partition get done automatically. It sounds like it was already partitioned. I still don't know if you tried to format it as NTFS, or FAT 32 or what? I do not see where you answered that you tried to format with another computer. Is the drive still in warranty?
If you are trying to format it as a FAT32, usually you cannot format any partition much larger than 30 GBs, without special software.

[Zygmo]

ppinny...I have to leave for now. Will check back tomorrow morning. I need the answers to my previous post's questions. Mainly, are you trying to format in FAT32, or NTFS. Are you checking this drive in Removable Storage, or Disk Management (local) You need to be working in Disk Management (local). We will get to the bottom of this, with enough information from you.

[ppinny]

Zygmo,
Thanks for the pull back!!

Fujitsu Siemens Amilo M7400, XP sp3 unaltered
HDD = Samsung 2.5in 320 Gb model number HM320JI, in warranty
enclosure = iMicro... http://www.imicro.com/item.php?item=IMS25SATAS

I bought the DH and enclosure two weeks ago. The shop guy put the hd in the bx. There are no jumpers.

NTFS. For the reasons you outlined.

I am on a little island off the coast of Panama. It could try it on another computer when i can find one!

working in "disc management"

.....and many thanks again. i'll do my best but i'm no expert......(you knew that!!)

Ppinny

[Zygmo]

ppinny. AWESOME. A little island off the coast of Panama! Hey, you do have internet access tho! Do you know what time zone you are in, as apposed to Central Time, United States?

Read all the way though this before you actually try anything.

My last suggestion on this is: I would try deleting the partition. If you Right Click on that drive in Disc Management, a window will pop up with an option to delete.
Now, here we get to something that is a little iffy. I THINK WinXP could not work with HDs (or partitions) larger than 120Gigs, until you had SP1 installed. Jazz was saying something last night about SP3 MIGHT could be installed, without having SP1 included. IF that is the case, your WinXP might not be able to format your large HD. I have to say though that I have never seen this about SPs from anyone else, or in any literature about WinXP. Jazz seems to know something about what he is talking about though.
So! After deleting the Partition, I would direct WinXP, still working in disc Management, by right clicking on your now unallocated space in that HD, to make a partition of 90,000 MBs, which will be 90 Gigs. If that works, then try to format that partition in NTFS.
HEY!. I just read back through your posts. Have you always been trying to format this partition in Win Explorer?? If so, try to do it in Disc Management, by right clicking on the drive like I said above. Do that before you try deleting the partition. Give it a drive letter, if it does not automatically default to one. And also, I cannot find where you have said that your C drive (or wherever your Windows OS is) is formatted as NTFS. It could be FAT32. If it is, we have to start all over!

ppinny. I cannot stress this enough. Be CAREFUL fooling with these drives with partitioning tools. Make sure you don't pick the wrong drive! WinXP won't let you delete your system partition, but it still pays to be very careful! I don't have your computer sitting here in front of me, so I can't really see exactly what is going on.

Let me know after you try these things. If nothing works, I will direct you to someone I know here in techguys. He should be able to help you if nobody else can. Good luck!

[ppinny]

HI Zygmo.

Just got up! We're on eastern time u.s. but we re looking after a juvenile nocturnal monkey so the hours are weird and not very consistent. Sorry if am getting back at odd times!

We have an antenna that connects to a mast on the next island. Only 256k bandwidth, expensive and kinda intermittent but better than nothing!

Also i cannot get a powered usb hub so i have to unplug the mouse to connect the HD! This aspect of PnP seems to be working ok!!
------------

The main (C drive is NTFS.
I have once tried a format from "explorer" but otherwise i have been just working from "disk management".
I have tried changing the drive letter (from G: to H: and back) with no change.

so i'm formatting as a Primary partition
size at 90,000 MB
assigning drive letter G:
file system "NTFS"
allocation unit size "Default"
volume label "new volume"
i have "quick" format checked. (when i tried a full format it was several hours before it failed.)
"file and folder compression" is UNchecked
start time 12.00
12.01 "format did not complete succesfully"
Thanks yet again!!
PPinny

[ppinny]

Zygmo,

I just noticed my main "C" drive is very nearly full, about 500 MB free space. I don't know if this lack of headroom might affect the formatting of another drive.
I will try and free up some space in any case.

ppinny

[Zygmo]

ppinny. I am sorry that I could not help you with the problem. I am out of ideas, other than I think the drive may be faulty. And in your situation, being where you are, I am sure that would be a bummer.
I am going to ask a tech I know on these forums to come and look at all these posts, to see if he can help you. I would say if he can't, nobody can. He is called Compiler.
Good luck, and I will keep checking back to see what is happening.

[ppinny]

OK Zygmo.

Thanks again. It makes a difference when you get some unreserved help from someone you don't even know!

Good luck to you too. I'll let you know what happens.

Cheer, Ppinny

[Compiler]

Try another HD enclosure. They do fail and considering their low-cost nowadays ($8~20), its not to surpising. But the $50~60 ones from 2-~4 years were less reliable.

I need to replace some myself. Even a new one that is 3 months old with only about 5~6hours of usage.