XP won't install

[PizzaMan]

A friend sent me this. I think you all can help.

<<
I have been fighting an issue with a 123.5 GB, 7200 RPM Deskstar for a couple days now. It's going into a new machine. Anyway, I have tried any NUMBER of times to get it to take a Windows XP install, and it fails. The install locks up as it is trying to format. At first, I didn't suspect the HD and replaced EVERY component on the system, one at a time, but it still failed at the same place. To verify the hard drive, I did
successfully install Windows ME on the system, and it ran fine for my test.

I now am trying to get it to take a load again, with a total removal of the FAT32 partition, and install a NTFS partition. It gets to 99% and fails, telling me that the partition is corrupted, and to try again. With this size of a HD, even with an AMD Athlon XP 2200, it takes quite a while to get through!

Anyway, I am doubting that the hard drive is toast--just that it is kind of messed up from all the attempts at formatting it. I'm open to suggestions.
>>

I suggested checking the BIOIS and flashing to the latest version. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

[NooNoo]

Alternatively use the utils that came with the drive (or download them from the drive website) and again, do the partition and format, then install xp on the exisiting partition with NO changes.

Most new drive install utilities will give you the option to use ntfs or fat32.

Alot of people are having a problem with this... I wonder if it is always a maxtor drive?

[freddy]

it seems reading thru the xp forums that a few ppl are having problems with large h/drives under windows xp ,,,i personally hav,nt ,,but know a few ppl who have "mfg" machines with more than 1 partition ,,,i read the following article at tweakxp , and if u are having problems it may help you
,,,then IF ntfs is req run the "convert" command from a dos window :

QUOTE:

I have found a way to trick WinXP into using Partitions bigger then 32GB. I have been using a 60GB Fat32 partition on WinXP for over 4 months now and I haven't had a single problem. This is how you do it.

1 get a Win98 boot disk
2 boot from boot disk and run Fdisk
3 partition the drive to what size you want up to 120GB
4 reboot the computer off of the Win98 boot disk
5 format the drive
6 boot the computer off of the WinXP CD
7 proceed to install the WinXP.
8 When WinXP ask you what partition to install to choose the disk you just formated it will give you an several option dealing with NTFS don't pay them any mind and choose the last option which is to install WinXP to current drive without making any changes. WinXp will proceed to install normally and you will have WinXP installed to a fully functional FAT32 Partition greater then 32GB. WinXP can use larger then 32GB partitions M$ intentionally limited the Fdisk portion WinXP to push people to the Realm of NTFS

copyright <a href="http://www.tweakxp.com" target="_blank">www.tweakxp.com</a>

i have re-edited this reply ,,so i,m sorry it puts noo-noos out of contex ..

FtF

[confus-ed]

Get the IBM disk utilities & try zero filling it with a low level format utility, if your bios on your board can't manage Init 13 support for the disk this is common symptomology, 9x (dos) ain't so fussy in its bootstrapping.....

Get the latest bios for your m/b too this usually helps as even though the drive geometry is correctly recognised other features are often not implemented correctly thus leading to problems like you have....

BTW Freddy what the f do you mean copyright blah blah blah - somebody has been reading windrivers replies, then again search don't work sooo I shouldn't gripe....

[freddy]

as i quoted directly from a page on <a href="http://www.tweakxp.com" target="_blank">www.tweakxp.com</a> s website then they SHOULD have due credit for the article ,,,i should have inc the following

"Tweak written by or based on information submitted by Brian

Copyright © 2001-2002 TweakXP.com"

and only hope that if someone wishes to use suggestions/comments that i have made on the internet , that they give me credit.

I appologise "brian" for not giving you ample credit for your "excellent" comments"

Freddy (don,t quote me) the fisherman ,,,

ps my boat sunk.

[confus-ed]

FFS Freddy the point I was making is how the hell is advice copyrightable?

If you can find it there is a whole thread somewhere that tells you all this, which was posted a good six months since....

This guy can't even get his facts straight...

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"> WinXP can use larger then 32GB partitions M$ intentionally limited the Fdisk portion WinXP to push people to the Realm of NTFS
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Of course xp can use FAT32 partitions bigger than 32 gig, its just that you need to increase the sector size if you want a bigger partition due to the maximum number of fat entries available, MS didn't do that on purpose its just a fact, larger sector sizes is a consideration that most mortals won't want to consider(hence why there is no option in setup). You can do this from within xp, no 9x needed!, but you need to understand and be able to use all the switches available with format.....

If you want to know why NTFS might be better suited to you than FAT then search WD forums for 'FAT v NTFS' there have been several discussions....

Can I put copyright me now .... <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="eek.gif" /> ?