formatting an external drive in nfts

[cyrilbiker2]

I was copying files from my laptop to an external externa hard drive using Norton Ghost when I had a power failure. I now have an external h d that my laptop won't recognise. I have triied partion magic but it show the H D is formatted as HPFS and is unabe to process it. It was not HPFS prior to the power failure, suggestions please to convert/format the H D back to NFTS so that I can access it. Thanks for any help. Cyrilbiker

[Sputnik]

I assume the HD is connected via USB? If you start with the HD disconnected, boot your laptop, then plug in the HD, does it show up in 'My Computer' as an additional drive letter? If so, can you then run up a Command prompt an call "format <drive letter>: /FS:NTFS" ?

[ACtheTROLL]

if its hpfs you really must have screwed it

I've found acronis far better with unrecognised formats.

however .... ntfs isn't generally used of ext hdds
fat 32 is the format most widely used

a "blind" tool you could try is swiss knife
http://www.compuapps.com/Download/swissknife/s wissknife.htm

failing that ... without spending money - you'll have to open the box ... ID the disc manufacturer nd visit their support site ... they will have the low level tools needed

[cyrilbiker2]

Hi Sputnick, the external H D is attached via USB, have tried booting up without out it being connected, then connecting it but it is still not showing up in MY COMPTER, it just isn't recognised. I am am going to give the SWISS KNIFE prog as suggested by ACtheTROLL. Thanks for your suggestion and time. Cyrilbiker

[cyrilbiker2]

Hi ACthe TROLL. Have ried tried Swiss Knife, but it will only recognise the hard disk and not H D via USB. I have solved the problem ough. I had an XP Boot disk I made from System mechanic7 many ars ago, I booted up with that and picked picked upthe external H D as having a a "Format in a raw state" then asking if it shouldfixed it. It did what it did, which than allowded me format in NTFS system again. Saved from a messy job. Thanks for the Swiss Knife though I picked up aother little programme whilst I was there.