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Disk is not formatted
The disk in drive F cannot be formatted.
Description
Windows does not see some very basic information from the drive, indicating a poor connection, or possibly a defective drive or media.
Sample Dialog
Dialog may appear differently depending on XP style options and where it occurs.
Data and/or file structures on the drive may be corrupt. Run the check disk program or other disk validation and repair utility on the drive. To do this:
Open Explorer or My Computer (Press Windows+E).
In the right pane, right-click on the drive you want to validate and select Properties.
Select the Tools tab.
Under Error-checking, click on "Check Now".
In the next dialog, make sure the option "Automatically fix file system errors" is checked. If you want a more complete validation and repair check the option "Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors" (although this takes considerably longer to complete).
Click on Start.
Several software products that offer an extensive range of disk diagnostics includes Fix-It Utilities Professional and SystemSuite Professional. Other diagnostic products include Eurosoft's PC Check and Iolo's System Mechanic.
FaultWire Staff Posted: 5-Oct-2008
Replace Defective Hard Drive
8
If you are unsure the hard drive has failed, check that the power and data cables are securely connected to both the drive and the motherboard. You might also swap the cables out with known good cables.
If everything else checks out, then you will need to replace the defective hard drive.
FaultWire Staff Posted: 15-Jan-2009
Clean Removable Media Contacts
7
For removable media such as flash cards, check that the contacts are clean and undamaged. Several cleaning methods are suitable:
Use a cotton Q-tip with alcohol to wipe the gold contacts. Be sure the contacts are dry before re-inserting the media.
For contacts that are flat, a clean eraser can be used to rub clean a dirty contact. Make sure no eraser debris remains before re-inserting the media.
FaultWire Staff Posted: 17-Sep-2009
Check Hard Disk and Cables
7
If you had changed, added or removed hard drives, or changed or removed drive cabling, likely something is wrong. Recheck that the drives are properly installed and the cabling has not changed. Switching cables to different motherboard connectors or changing the master/slave drive jumpers (on old ATA drives) can cause this problem. In some systems, the cables were not plugged into the drive or motherboard securely and may have worked loose. Reseat all drive connectors.
It's also possible a hard drive is failing. Use a system diagnostic to validate the drive or swap to another hard disk.
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