External HDD formatting woes

[Million]

Hi all,

I got a 'good as new' WD 1TB external HDD second hand but barely used from a mate a few weeks ago, and have been having a number of problems with it. Firstly, I tried using it to move some files from my MacBook to my netbook (running windows XP) and had no success. I discovered that this was because it was the wrong format (NTFS). When I tried to eject it it refused, so I just unplugged it. Next time I tried to use it it crashed explorer, made the whole computer go on a go-slow, then when it eventually ran the disk, I was given a prompt saying that the drive was not formatted and did I want to format it. Oh dear. I used a disk recovery program to save the photos stored on the drive then tried to format the disk. I attempted to go through DOS to format it to FAT32, which didn't work. So, I formatted it NTFS. It took a few tries, and when it worked it took almost an entire day. Then it wouldn't eject again. I pulled it out again. Now it seems to be OK, but I no longer trust the drive, which is pretty annoying condsidering it's a terabyte!

So, questions. What program should I use to thoroughly test the drive? What is the best format to use with Windows and an XBox 360? And what's the best way to convert it to that? And how long should it take with a healthy 1TB drive?

Thanks for reading, sorry it's an essay,
Max

[peterb]

"Formatting" the disk means writing a file system to it - do not confuse with formatting in floppy disk terms when the data structure on the disk surface was laid down during the format process. In a hard drive this structure is laid down during manufacture.

Macs use the HPFS+ file system, which is related to, but not compatable with, NTFS. Macs have drivers that will (or should) read NTFS systems. However Windows machines will not natively read HPFS (although there are third party drivers that will support it)

The common file system that both support is FAT 32, so if you are planning to use the drive to read files with Wndows and Macs, that is the one to use - accepting the limitations of the FAT 32 system (access control, max file size etc).

To really test the drive you need the utilities provided by the manufacturer. However as a first step you could look at the S.M.A.R.T data using an appropriate utility for your OS.

Buying a second hand drive is aways a bit risky. You don't know how the drive as been handled (it may have been dropped, for example) but if it is OK mechanically (and that is difficult to tell) laying down a new file system should be OK.

If you have a Linux system runing, there are both NTFS and HPFS file system drivers available, and also utilities for reading the SMART data. For Windws systems, (and Mac) then you will need to do a bt of Googling (I always use a LInux system for any disk operations that are not routine, so I can't help you with Windows/Mac - others may be able to.)

[Behemoth]

I'd personally look at getting hold of the Ultimate Boot CD. Thats got lots of tools on it for testing the drive and making sure it's in good order.

Like Peter has said above me though is you don't really know how well the drive has been treated by its last owner. I've never had any real issues when buying hard drives second hand, although I'd never buy an external one second hand, even if it was from a friend. I know how some of my friends live and I've seen first hand some of the environments their kit is subjected to !

Put it this way, one friend treats his dog better than his external HDD. It's been dropped that many times I'm surprised it still works !

If the drive does show to be faulty, I know (depending on the version of the drive) that western digital give quite a long warranty, I think upto 5 years on some of their top of the range models, that said it could be three, I've not looked at one of their externals for a while now.

[Million]

Thanks guys. I am assured by the friend I bought the drive from that it has only ever been squarely sat on his desk, and was transported from there to me in its original packaging with protective bits. I don't think it's had any trauma to speak of.

I'll try to get hold of the Ultimate Boot CD, I think my brother has one. It is still in warranty thankfully.