hard drive format keeps failing. How to format?

[lectrocrew]

I previously had Vista x64 OS on this hard drive but it was running short on space so I installed the OS on my 1TB drive. I had backed up all files and intended to wipe this drive clean - then format it as a blank NTFS primary partition. When I try to format it I get a dialog box saying format failed. Disk management shows it as RAW instead of NTFS. Also it shows it as 139GB free, why not 150GB? It is a 150 GB WD velocirapter drive as listed in my specs.  What am I doing wrong?

Screen shot of 'Disk Management:

[quaxo]

Try completely deleting the current partition. Reboot. Then again create the partition and format again.

You could also try it with something like Easeus Partition Manager (http://www.partition-tool.com/). The home version is free.

[patio]

HDD size chart...



Courtesy of Western Digital

[quaxo]

Oo... sorry, I didn't answer the question about the capacity. Completely forgot. But there you go, if you look at the chart Patio has posted, you'll see that the capacity it's reporting is actually correct.

[lectrocrew]

Try completely deleting the current partition. Reboot. Then again create the partition and format again.

You could also try it with something like Easeus Partition Manager (http://www.partition-tool.com/). The home version is free.

Thanks quaxo,  Got it formated - somehow?     I deleted the partition already in one of my attempts but no success. The Easeus software wouldn't run on my Vista 64 bit OS but I have Acronis Disk Director software I purchased for $49.99 in 2008 when I was running XP x86 OS. I tried an updated version of Acronis but it also would not install on this Vista x64 OS because of an 'unsigned driver' issue untill I disabled the Vista 'user account control' and enabled the hidden administrator account. I was able to get Acronis installed logged in as administrator but then had an issue with it seeing the deleted drive. I went back to 'administrative tools / disk management' where it acknowledged the drive as raw / unformatted and was able to format the drive there as 'Simple Volume NTFS', still logged in as administrator. Go figure?
 Why did Windows disk management  fail to format the drive without being run logged in as administrator?
Thanks to you and patio both. You guys are great! 

[quaxo]

Why did Windows disk management  fail to format the drive without being run logged in as administrator?
Thanks to you and patio both. You guys are great! 

That is a bit strange. Perhaps your user account doesn't have admin privileges. But glad you at least got it working, somehow. Won't think about it too much as long as the problem is solved. 

Sorry, my mistake before. I overlooked the part where you said 64-bit, as I know for a fact Easeus only supports 32-bit systems unless you get the professional version, which isn't free ($30 or so I think).

[lectrocrew]

Won't think about it too much as long as the problem is solved. 

I agree.  Thanks again!!!

[jockman]

That is a bit strange. Perhaps your user account doesn't have admin privileges. But glad you at least got it working, somehow. Won't think about it too much as long as the problem is solved. 

Sorry, my mistake before. I overlooked the part where you said 64-bit, as I know for a fact Easeus only supports 32-bit systems unless you get the professional version, which isn't free ($30 or so I think).

I have tried its latest version EASEUs Partition Master Home Edtiion 6.5.2, it works well on Windows 7 64 bit OS. Did you try its latest version?

[quaxo]

I have tried its latest version EASEUs Partition Master Home Edtiion 6.5.2, it works well on Windows 7 64 bit OS. Did you try its latest version?

That's the link I gave him in my first reply. Problem is solved anyway.

[York]

Wow, good news.
I checked it on my 64 bit Windows 7 just now.
This partition master home version did support my 64 bit OS.
 
Glad to share with you: http://www.partition-tool.com/personal.htm