943,712 Members | Top Members by Rank

Hardware and Software > PC Hardware > Troubleshooting Dead Machines > Can't format hard drive!
Ad:
You are currently viewing page 1 of this multi-page discussion thread
Permalink
Nov 14th, 2005
0

Can't format hard drive!

Expand Post »
Hello,
I recently attempted to reinstall windows and would recieve corrupted or missing file messeges that would discontinue process and only allow me to restart.
So I got the bright idea to run a all zero's kill disk but still receive messeages:intelide.sys, file i386/biosinfo.inf could not be located- error code 4096, and INF filetxtsetup.sif is corrupted or missing-error 4096 apon reloading windows.
Now I have a dead machine that I depretly need working. What can I do? Do I need to reload my BIOS driver? If so how do I do that? Thanks, NRS.
Similar Threads
Reputation Points: 10
Solved Threads: 0
Newbie Poster
the.nrs is offline Offline
2 posts
since Nov 2005
Permalink
Nov 14th, 2005
0

Re: Can't format hard drive!

Hello,

It is entirely possible that you have a hardware failure on your hard disk. Think of a record player and a record with a large gash acrossed it. That can happen on a hard drive, and no matter how many times you try to format it, you will be in rough shape.

With the drive giving you this much trouble, I would go and get another hard drive from your favorite computer store. It sounds to me you have invested enough time trying to get this one to fly, and it is not cooperating.

Christian
Team Colleague
Reputation Points: 121
Solved Threads: 57
Posting Virtuoso
kc0arf is offline Offline
1,629 posts
since Mar 2004
Permalink
Nov 17th, 2005
0

Re: Can't format hard drive!

Who makes your hard drive? first thing I would do would go to there website and download ther utility for formating hard disk there is normally an option to do a low level format ie,..(write zeros to the drive) and check for errors there is also a scan to mark bad sectors and even clusters. try this first if you have some time it does take a while but it can work.
Reputation Points: 11
Solved Threads: 0
Newbie Poster
l8nitesurfer is offline Offline
10 posts
since Jun 2005
Permalink
Nov 17th, 2005
0

Re: Can't format hard drive!

Can you boot from cd rom or the system is completely dead ??
Team Colleague
Reputation Points: 45
Solved Threads: 56
Unauthenticated Liar
nanosani is offline Offline
1,767 posts
since Jul 2004
Permalink
Nov 17th, 2005
0

Re: Can't format hard drive!

I can boot from a cd. Just displays error once I begin the format. Thanks, nrs
Reputation Points: 10
Solved Threads: 0
Newbie Poster
the.nrs is offline Offline
2 posts
since Nov 2005
Permalink
Nov 19th, 2005
0

Re: Can't format hard drive!

Quote originally posted by the.nrs ...
I can boot from a cd. Just displays error once I begin the format. Thanks, nrs

Make one last atempt b4 buying a new HDD.
Deassemble ur system discharge each and every component on the board by touching the pins with a screw driver, remove the bios chip, again put it in, change the cmos battery, change the IDE cable, try reinstalling windows. This method worked for me many time. Once i faced a problem, whenever i tried to install windows i got a message dll file missing, i reformated and installed again but still i got the same mssg. I followed the above technique and it really worked for me. Remember changing the IDE cable and discharging the MB Components is very imp. Try it
Reputation Points: 11
Solved Threads: 14
Posting Whiz
jaishankar is offline Offline
317 posts
since Nov 2005
Permalink
Nov 24th, 2005
0

Re: Can't format hard drive!

Quote originally posted by the.nrs ...
Hello,
I recently attempted to reinstall windows and would recieve corrupted or missing file messeges that would discontinue process and only allow me to restart.
So I got the bright idea to run a all zero's kill disk but still receive messeages:intelide.sys, file i386/biosinfo.inf could not be located- error code 4096, and INF filetxtsetup.sif is corrupted or missing-error 4096 apon reloading windows.
Now I have a dead machine that I depretly need working. What can I do? Do I need to reload my BIOS driver? If so how do I do that? Thanks, NRS.
maybe you need to delete all your partitions and then repartition before you format. do a web search on the ultimate boot disk & get someone to burn it onto a cd for you.it has all the tools you need.
Reputation Points: 10
Solved Threads: 3
Junior Poster
kccomputerdr is offline Offline
128 posts
since Jul 2005
Permalink
Dec 19th, 2005
0

Re: Can't format hard drive!

sounds like you need a new HDD
Reputation Points: 10
Solved Threads: 0
Newbie Poster
supra441979 is offline Offline
5 posts
since Dec 2005
Permalink
Dec 21st, 2005
0

Re: Can't format hard drive!

A quick and easy way to determeine if the hard drive is the problem is to install it into another computer and try to format it. Another option (as one of the other answers suggested) is to run the drive manufacturer's diagnostic utility. However, if the IDE cable is the problem the hard drive may fail the diagnostics even if the drive is still good. Check your IDE cables amd make sure they are seated correctly on the connectors.
Reputation Points: 15
Solved Threads: 5
Junior Poster
BuggZ is offline Offline
140 posts
since Jul 2005
Permalink
Dec 22nd, 2010
0
Re: Can't format hard drive!
You can format all the harddisk except for the one with windows in it. By setting virtual memory to "no paging file" on the hard disk you wanted to format.

Doing that by open "hardware manager" under "Advance" tab, Performance, setting, Advance tab, then click "Change" Then has to restart.

Hope this help also don't forget to change it back after formating. It kinda amaze me that noone mention this technic before : )
Reputation Points: 10
Solved Threads: 0
Newbie Poster
zyphus is offline Offline
2 posts
since Dec 2010

This thread is more than three months old

No one has posted to this discussion for at least three months. Please let old threads die and do not reply to them unless you feel you have something new and valuable to contribute that absolutely must be added to make the discussion complete. Otherwise, please start a new thread in this forum instead.
Message:
Previous Thread in Troubleshooting Dead Machines Forum Timeline: My New Built PC won't Turn on
Next Thread in Troubleshooting Dead Machines Forum Timeline: HDD problem





About Us | Contact Us | Advertise | Acceptable Use Policy
Forum Index | Build Custom RSS Feed


Follow us on Twitter


© 2011 DaniWeb® LLC