DOS FREEZE!?!? help

[rosh325]

Hi,
In an attempt to preform a clean install of windows xp, i attempted to format my fujitsu 8gig HD using the XP CD in dos. However, mid format DOS froze....in addition, if i tried to repair an install using DOS, the computer would freeze...what would cause this...i thought Dos was supposed to be "dependable operating system"......is this a sign of HD failure (my hd has 4kb bad sector)......I finally got the drive to reformat by using a fan to blow on the hard drive.

 

[Rockn]

The drive sounds bad if you have bad sectors already marked and you need a fan to cool it. Just doesn't sound like a good situation to install any OS on let alone XP. Get a new drive.

 

[rosh325]

as long as we're talking about a new drive......my system has "ultra dma 33" (im assuing thats ATA 33)......most new drives use ata 100...what would i need to use them?......

 

[Rockn]

You can use newer drives on that interface, they will just run slower. You can alsways add an ATA100 controller if you want all the benefits of the faster drive.

 

[rosh325]

How expensive is this type of controller/how much slower does the drive run

 

[Rockn]

I believe that WD is giving away a free ATA100 controller with their 120GB drives. Look on pricewatch....they are as low as $16