hd problems

[CalsonicGTR]

i was going to reformat my 40gb hd to reinstall windows. it is now c drive because my old c was too small but the old hd had windows installed on it. i formatted the drive once. when i go to format the new drive for the second time, it terminates with the following message

"Formatting 38,17.87M"
"Trying to recover allocation unit 6836"
"Not Ready"
"Format terminated"

After this, i type in setup to install windows without formatting a second time when this appears on the screen

"Please wait while setup initializes"
"Scanning system registrys"
"Windows"

the process then stops. what is the problem. do i have to transfer all the files from the old hard drive to the new hard drive so the computer can check the registry or do i have to continue using my old, small hard to run my computer

[Kendan]

What kind of drive is the new one? Most hardrive manfacturers offer a set of disk tools that either come with the drive or is available for download from there website. These tools can format your new drive and some will even transfer your data from your old drive to your new one.

[CalsonicGTR]

the new drive is a maxtor 40gb. the old drive is a western digital caviar 1gb.

[gsxr750]

It seem like your drive might be a gonener.

As you mention in the message. It try to recover a bad sector but it unable to fix/recover that portion of your HD and crash.
Might want to call Maxtor tech support. or exchange it if you just brought it.
:)

[CalsonicGTR]

ive had the thing for a while though and there have been no problems. will a bad sector not allow the drive to be used anymore

[RED Hot Machine]

Have you checked the IDE cable is plugged in fully?

I was getting simalar errors due to that.

[CalsonicGTR]

the ide cables are all connected

[Maddman]

go here http://www.maxtor.com/Maxtorhome.htm and download powermax and use it to tes the drive. if it gives you an error call maxtor and they will replace it.