Recovering after a low level format

[chopz]

Hi, I recently did a low level format on a Seagate hard drive (using one of their programs), but now I cannot reload the original software back on with the original manufacture disk that came with the computer. When I try to reload the software I get an error message that says that there was an error writing the hard drive, and that it might be full. (Which obviously, since I have just done a low level format, is not true). I need to know what it is I need to do to the hard drive to get it to a point where I can load the original software (OS and all) back on to it. Thank you much, Chopz.

 

[edfair]

Normal to low level the drive, reboot, fdisk the drive to add partitioning, reboot, format the hard drive with the file system, reboot and load OS and programs.&nbsp;&nbsp;Manufacturer supplied loaders can shortcut any or all of this.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br>In order to be helpful, it would be better if you posted your manufacturer, hardware list, and OS you are working with. <p>Ed Fair<br><a href=mailto: efair@atlnet.com> efair@atlnet.com</a><br><a href= > </a><br>Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply. <br>
Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.<br>

 

[chopz]

Oops, sorry - you're right, that might be helpful. The comp manufacture is Packard Bell (I know, I know), the original OS that's on the manufacturer disk is Win95, and the hard drive is a 2 Gig Seagate (St32140a). I failed to mention in my first question, that the error I get (there was an error writing to your drive, it may be full ect.) occurs when I try to reformate the drive using the manufacturers software. So that is the part that is confusing me. Thanks again, Chopz

 

[edfair]

Suspect that the Seagate reformat may have corrupted something in a critical area. Low level should put addresses on the platters. And if it munges anything in a critical area the drive is worthless until you get the addresses there. Assumption is that you are running the software under floppy based dos.<br>And do you have a computer support location that could do the low level? Better to let somebody else do it than to scrap the drive. Because that may be the choice if Seagate's software is broken. Or if Seagates's software doesn't want to work with Packard Hell's controller. <p>Ed Fair<br><a href=mailto: efair@atlnet.com> efair@atlnet.com</a><br><a href= > </a><br>Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply. <br>
Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.<br>

 

[Alt255]

Edfair's advice is very good. But he omitted an item: get rid of the Packard. I assume its a 486DX2. If you can't afford to replace it with modern technology, click the link at the bottom of this post and go to the last page. Send me an e-mail at the link listed and I will gladly donate an equivalent (or better) motherboard and processor (if you pay the shipping charges).<br><br>Friends don't let friends drive Packard's.<br><br>Note: This is a one-time, sympathy offer to Chopz. To the rest of the Aces here, don't expect me to upgrade your 500+ machines.<br><br>

 

[edfair]

But some people are into S&M. And some do this for education. Mine is not to question why. <p>Ed Fair<br><a href=mailto: efair@atlnet.com> efair@atlnet.com</a><br><a href= > </a><br>Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply. <br>
Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.<br>

 

[edfair]

Your offer to Chopz sounds good. Should I drop the other shoe?<br>Will require new case and power supply. Probably HS IDEIO card and video card, and maybe a mouse and keyboard. He may be able to use the hard drive if he can get it reformatted, definitely will be able to use the floppy, and probably can use the memory.<br>Not knocking the offer, but it's like I told one of my 16 year olds, the purchase price of the car is just the start.<br>ed <p>Ed Fair<br><a href=mailto: efair@atlnet.com> efair@atlnet.com</a><br><a href= > </a><br>Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply. <br>
Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.<br>

 

[Alt255]

Ed, I guess you're right about everything. What good is a brain if you don't have a head to store it in? <p> <br><a href=mailto: > </a><br><a href=

http://www.vorpalcom.com>A

plain black box</a><br>

 

[edfair]

Didn't say that. didn't imply that. I support users. I've had to tell customers the same thing for the same reasons. Saw a tag line on a work trailer parked near the house. &quot;good stuff doesn't come cheap; cheap stuff doesn't come good&quot;.<br>Packard Bell made cheap(er) stuff.&nbsp;&nbsp;But they locked you into their version of cheap. And this wouldn't be the first that the only salvagable part was the floppy. <p>Ed Fair<br><a href=mailto: efair@atlnet.com> efair@atlnet.com</a><br><a href= > </a><br>Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply. <br>
Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.<br>

 

[Alt255]

Sorry I didn't make that clearer. Let me try again. What good is a processor and motherboard if it won't fit in a case?<br><br>It was pretty dumb of me to make the offer when chopz wouldn't be able to take advantage of it without buying more equipment, probably costing many times the actual value of the chip and MB.<br><br> <p> <br><a href=mailto: > </a><br><a href=

http://www.vorpalcom.com>A

plain black box</a><br>

 

[edfair]

Actually don't have a problem with the offer.&nbsp;&nbsp;Wish that he would accept it. Would be the start of getting him up and running on something that is maintainable.<br>Would probably cost him more to do it with your M/B but think of the education he can get. And both of us can then claim to have improved the world. <p>Ed Fair<br><a href=mailto: efair@atlnet.com> efair@atlnet.com</a><br><a href= > </a><br>Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply. <br>
Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.<br>

 

[chopz]

Whoa - much thanks to Ed Fair & Alt255 - exspecially for that very generous offer <br>But you don't need to go to the trouble. The Packard is my old computer, and I was just trying to get it back into running shape, so I could give it to a friend who is sans a computer. However, if the thing is toast, no real biggie - the packard was never much more usefull than an extremely oversized paper weight anyhow (the monitor also doubled as a pretty good bulletin board in which to place post-its...which usually read - call Packard Bell about getting crappy computer fixed).<br>I have a feeling that Ed Fair was orignially right, in that the Seagate software didn't work correctly when I did the low level format. I'm not sure what I'm going to do, but there is definately no need to go out buying new hardware for it, because the computer is really just more of a project for me than anything.<br>Thanks again guys, for the help, and the very generous offer - you definately made my visit to this site worth while.<br>-Chopz

 

[edfair]

Now that we have the full story, how about trying another track. Take a short while.&nbsp;&nbsp;Swap the PB hard drive into your newer computer and try to low-level it there. Document the bios settings for the drive you are temporarily removing, then let the new one autodetect the PB. Then try the low-level. If it goes, then put the drive back into the PB and it may work.&nbsp;&nbsp;If it doesn't go, then you may have bad Seagate SW.<br>You should know inside 10 minutes if this will work. And restoration would be another 4 to 5 minutes. <p>Ed Fair<br><a href=mailto: efair@atlnet.com> efair@atlnet.com</a><br><a href= > </a><br>Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply. <br>
Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.<br>