New Hard drive on Vista

[javert03]

I put a new 1.5 tb harddrive in my computer, but now that I am trying to format it. It keeps locking up the formatting at 73 %. What do I need to do.

 

[Matthew DeCarlo]

Update your chipset drivers. If you don't know how, post your PC or motherboard brand/model.

 

[javert03]

Computer model

I have an HP a6110n

 

[Matthew DeCarlo]

You running 32-bit or 64-bit Vista? If you respond soon enough I'll try and post the individual SATA driver or the entire nForce package before I head out (if not, I'm sure someone will jump in). You might also be able to get around the issue by looking in (or blindly installing) the optional/hardware updates in Windows Update.

 

[javert03]

32 bit Vista. I tried the blind installing a few minutes ago and giving the formatting another shot. If that doesn't work I could use the specific drivers.

 

[Matthew DeCarlo]

Assuming you still it, the latest SATA driver on HP's website is here: http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/...&dlc=en&cc=us&product=3436818&os=2093&lang=en

You can find the rest of your drivers here and your PC's specifications here.

 

[javert03]

It locked up at 73 percent again. I don't know what to do, but I am getting really tired of it. Thanks for your help though.

 

[Matthew DeCarlo]

I can almost guarantee you it's a driver issue. There is a recognized Nvidia SATA driver problem with Windows where it won't recognize it beyond 1TB or so, which is about 73% of a 1.5TB drive - and I don't think it's coincidental that you have an Nvidia chipset. For example: http://forums.seagate.com/stx/board/message?board.id=ata_drives&message.id=3599&query.id=4249#M3599

I take it you've tried to use the SATA controller driver above? Don't totally give up. Walk away from the issue for a day if need be and come back with a clear head .

*Edit*

73% of (1.5 terabytes) = 1.09500 terabytes

 

[javert03]

... I loaded it, but I don't think it had installed properly, my power got knocked out by lightening during the install. I reinstalled it and I am now trying again. Hopefully it will work this time.

 

[javert03]

Still wouldn't format past 73 %. I just tried splitting it into two images and got 1 tb to format

 

[Rick]

Install the driver again and restart your computer, but download and install this one:
http://www.nvidia.com/object/nforce_vista_15.23.html

This is a newer version of what Matthew linked. It is also not from HP -- it is from nVidia (the actual manufacturer of your board's chipset)

We *must* rule out drivers first before looking elsewhere. To do that, you must install the driver again to be certain it installs correctly this time.

 

[javert03]

It finally formatted. Those last drivers did the trick, thanks everyone for your help.