maxtor sata hdd low level format

[losboricua]

OK well i had a virus last month and after formating the HHD for 4hrs(yea it normaly takes me 15min to format it) using the ntfs full format before u install the windows xp pro. after it formatted it loaded up the files and restared like always but now when it is about to intall the file from the copy file from the hhd it says erro files not found blah blah blah. i reformatted again twice and then try to load the files and same erros. is there any software the i can use to LOW LEVEL format my sata maxtor 120g hhd?? maxblast only works with ata(well the version that i have and been able to find only. thanks im just not liking this old wd ata hdd

[Steve R Jones]

A dirty cd or drive can cause this.

[Midknyte]

believe it or not, it might also be bad ram. i've run into weird setup errors when the ram was bad.

[Sterling_Aug]

Overclocking can also cause Windows install error. Turn off any overclocking (run at the processor rated speed only) then af6ter Windows is installed and running correctly, re-enable the overclocking settings.

I have also seen a badly burned CD copy of Windows cause errors. Yes, I use a burned CD for my installs. I take my original Windows CDs and slipstream the SP updates into them then burn a compilation CD so I cut down on the Windows Updates time required after the install. If I have errors during the install, then I lower the burn speed and try again.

[Midknyte]

like the guys are saying, a low level format is probably not going to solve your issues.