90% Format --- STOP!

[jmhcs]

I am doing s simple reload of WXP on a Gateway computer. No big deal. However, while formatting the HD in NTFS, it gets to 90% and then hangs at 90%, never gets done. I have never had this happen before. The drive is a Maxtor 60GB drive. When setting the partitions, a second device saying "unknown device" is displayed. There is only one drive. I have never seen this.

[BipolarBill]

Instead of formatting, delete all partitions on the drive and recreate them.

Since you can get into Device Manager, I must assume that you are formatting the drive on another PC. Do you know if the hard drive had GoBack loaded on it before?

[Sterling_Aug]

Sounds like the hard drive may need to be replaced.

Run a full hard drive diagnostics then replace the drive if it reports errors.

[jmhcs]

Actually, I am using the Windows XP SP1 CD from Gateway to boot from and then to start the rebuild. During the process, I delete all partitions, recreate partitions, and then format NTFS. Since it was a Gateway, I am betting it had GOBACK loaded. This could cause a problem but I don't know how to get rid of it.

[BipolarBill]

GoBack removal here:

http://www.sysopt.com/forum/showthre...03#post1376503

As Sterling has suggested, you need to run a diagnostic on the drive. Run the GoBack removal first though.

[Midknyte]

Run seatools:
http://www.seagate.com/support/seatools/

you could just zap or dban the drive also.
http://dban.sourceforge.net/

[Sterling_Aug]

DBAN is the best at cleaning out ALL junk on a drive.

Run at least the 3 pass wipe.

[jmhcs]

I used Maxblast from Maxtor and it seemed to solve the initial problem. I have downloaded DBAN for future use. Thanks much to all.