Partition Help

[Grey Belnades]

I have a Hitachi 320GB Simple Hard Drive and in these past few days that I have owned it, I've been trying to find ways to create a partition. I read that Partition Magic would be the program to fix this but every time I open up Magic, it categorizes my drive as bad and in order to create a partition, it says that it needs to be formatted. However, upon formatting and a re-boot of my desktop (which took 2 hours to scan and "fix" the drive), it still categorizes it as bad and I can't partition it. Can anyone help me with this problem?

Also, when I right-click it on Computer Management, the "New Partition" option doesn't show up.

Edit: I downloaded Partition Wizard, it says that I have a logical partition and when I try to modify it, it won't let me go above 7.49 MB.

 

[Sraigux]

Yeah, you probably have a broken drive.

also try opening command prompt and select the drive you want. Than type chkdsk /f /r

 

[Super_ness]

I use an ubuntu live cd.

 

[Grey Belnades]

Yeah, you probably have a broken drive.

also try opening command prompt and select the drive you want. Than type chkdsk /f /r

That worked, I can still use it, it just won't let me partition it.

I use an ubuntu live cd.

I can't use a live CD since my Disc Drive doesn't read discs.

 

[Super_ness]

Try a live USB flash drive.

 

[Sraigux]

This sounds weird but this exact thing happened to me a couple days before your post. Since chkdsk wont help follow these steps.

1. Disconnect your Hard drive
2. Seal it up in a zip lock bag, make sure there is no excess air in the bag
3. Put it in the freezer for 2 hours
4. Let it warm up to room temperature or so
5. (optional) Reinstall it in your computer, but make sure the spindle is upside down (this apparently makes it easier for the head to read)

When you boot your computer next, just open up the disc manager and try again, it worked for me.

 

[Super_ness]

Yeah, I'll be passing on that idea.

 

[Grey Belnades]

Try a live USB flash drive.

This sounds weird but this exact thing happened to me a couple days before your post. Since chkdsk wont help follow these steps.

1. Disconnect your Hard drive
2. Seal it up in a zip lock bag, make sure there is no excess air in the bag
3. Put it in the freezer for 2 hours
4. Let it warm up to room temperature or so
5. (optional) Reinstall it in your computer, but make sure the spindle is upside down (this apparently makes it easier for the head to read)

When you boot your computer next, just open up the disc manager and try again, it worked for me.

I'm gonna go ahead and try both ideas. I just need to borrow a flash drive from a friend to try the Live USB FD. I'll try to post the results as soon as I can.

 

[Super_ness]

And just so you know, GParted, the partition editor, can be found under System>Administration>GParted.

Also, you can use the program UNetbootin to make you USB if you can't use partcopy, dd, or something else.

Edit: I would check with hitachi before following the freezer steps. That would void your warrenty and probably destroy the drive.

 

[Sraigux]

The freezer does not destroy your drive if you seal the bag air-tight. It cools it down and somehow improves it (I can't remember technically why, just google it)

It worked for me, so I can testify

 

[Super_ness]

The freezer does not destroy your drive if you seal the bag air-tight. It cools it down and somehow improves it (I can't remember technically why, just google it)

It worked for me, so I can testify

I don't think your a lier or anything, but I just wouldn't do that unless as a last resort. And there's not much a point if you have the warranty.

 

[Sraigux]

Yeah, it is a last resort. My HD was 3 years old and I have no idea where my dad got it and if it even had a manufacturer's warranty.

But if it is newish I would go for the manufacturer's warranty. Make sure to back up your data

 

[Dastrn]

If it's new, you should just take it back and swap it for a good one. No point putting yourself through all this trouble if you can get a fresh start.

 

[Grey Belnades]

Ok, for some reason, the HD doesn't show up on USB Live and it is new (2 weeks old) so I'm just going to go send it back since I do still have the warranty for it.

Thanks for all your help everyone.

 

[Frames]

just get an RMA for it