Can't Format Drives

[EXCellR8]

I have been trying to configure the storage on one of my older machines but I've run into a problem. I can't format the drives and install Windows...

The system uses a Striker II Extreme motherboard with the latest BIOS and I am trying to get 3 500GB drives in a striped RAID configuration. The array is set up without any trouble but when it comes to formatting the volume I get an error stating Windows cannot format the partition on Disk 0 or something like that. There is a code 0x80070057 and setup cannot continue.

I have tried disabling RAID altogether and trying SATA as IDE but the same thing happens when I try to format one of the drives separately. I've never run into this issue before and GParted didn't work either. It just crashed out.

Could there be a problem with the cables or something? All of the hard drives test fine... not sure what to do.

 

[Elixer]

What kind of HDs are these ?
Have you tried dban on them ?

Which distro for gparted ? Might have been too old...

 

[jackd1839]

May be your drive is crashed. I suppose you have already tried many things. Why don't you consult technicals because in this stage they can better guide you.

 

[VirtualLarry]

The system uses a Striker II Extreme motherboard with the latest BIOS and I am trying to get 3 500GB drives in a striped RAID configuration. The array is set up without any trouble but when it comes to formatting the volume I get an error stating Windows cannot format the partition on Disk 0 or something like that. There is a code 0x80070057 and setup cannot continue.

That's an Nvidia-chipset Socket 775 board, isn't it? In that case, you would be using NVidia SATA RAID drivers. Did you load them into Windows 7's setup process, using a USB flash drive, at the drive-selection screen? (Should be a "load drivers" button.)

I have tried disabling RAID altogether and trying SATA as IDE but the same thing happens when I try to format one of the drives separately. I've never run into this issue before and GParted didn't work either. It just crashed out.

If the drives were previously initialized as part of an array using the NVRAID BIOS, then they may be detected as RAID members still, even as single drives.

To clear the RAID metadata off of the drive, set BIOS for AHCI or IDE, boot the Windows 7 DVD, and at the drive-selection screen, hit SHIFT+F10, type "DISKPART", ENTER.

You should load into DISKPART.EXE.

Type "LIST DISK". Note the disk number of the drive you want to wipe.
Type "SELECT DISK #", where # is the number of the drive you want to wipe.
Type "CLEAN ALL". THIS WILL PERMANENTLY WIPE THE ENTIRE SELECTED DRIVE!
When the clean finishes, type "EXIT", "EXIT", and then on the disk-selection screen in setup, click "Refresh". Then select the disk, and you should be able to partition and format it.

 

[ArisVer]

If the drives were previously initialized as part of an array using the NVRAID BIOS, then they may be detected as RAID members still, even as single drives.

To get the disks back to normal I use the RAID utility.

 

[EXCellR8]

Thanks for the input.

That's an Nvidia-chipset Socket 775 board, isn't it? In that case, you would be using NVidia SATA RAID drivers. Did you load them into Windows 7's setup process, using a USB flash drive, at the drive-selection screen? (Should be a "load drivers" button.)

Correct, the board uses a nForce 790i ultra chipset and I've tried to load the sataraid drivers via USB. 3 of them come up in the list from the latest available on the ASUS website. However, when I attempt to load them to setup I get a message about unsigned 64-bit drivers or something like that. I plan to try the 32-bit drivers as well, just to see what happens.

I will try clearing the metadata tonight but I don't think the board supports AHCI. All 3 drives are WD5000AKX models, and shouldn't have any data on them.

 

[EXCellR8]

Still no luck getting the OS installed. I even dusted off an old IDE drive to try and the same thing happens, same error. Doesn't make sense.

Any other ideas?

 

[ArisVer]

Thanks for the input.

Correct, the board uses a nForce 790i ultra chipset and I've tried to load the sataraid drivers via USB. 3 of them come up in the list from the latest available on the ASUS website. However, when I attempt to load them to setup I get a message about unsigned 64-bit drivers or something like that. I plan to try the 32-bit drivers as well, just to see what happens.

I will try clearing the metadata tonight but I don't think the board supports AHCI. All 3 drives are WD5000AKX models, and shouldn't have any data on them.

The message about unsigned drivers means that they are not Microsoft certified. They should work.

It's a bit hard to believe that it does not support AHCI.

The strangest thing is that it gives you the same error on the IDE disk during install. Maybe the problem lies somewhere else. Maybe faulty southbridge if it's the same chip that controls the RAID function.

Edit. Verify that your installation disk is working.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Still no luck getting the OS installed. I even dusted off an old IDE drive to try and the same thing happens, same error. Doesn't make sense.

Any other ideas?

This was a physical IDE (PATA) drive, connected to a physical IDE port? With an 80-wire cable? That might indicate that the problem is something more fundamental, and has nothing to do with the RAID.

I would try a CMOS clear, then try it again.

Where did you obtain your Windows 7 disc?

Have you tried NVRAID 64-bit drivers from Nvidia.com, they might be newer than Asus' web site. Edit: Try these drivers:
http://www.nvidia.com/download/driverResults.aspx/30655/en-us

 

[VirtualLarry]

The message about unsigned drivers means that they are not Microsoft certified. They should work.

No, they won't. Win7 64-bit requires signed drivers.

It's a bit hard to believe that it does not support AHCI.

Not really. NV was really late to the game in supporting AHCI.

Edit. Verify that your installation disk is working.

This too. But first try the newest NV drivers that I linked.

 

[EXCellR8]

This was a physical IDE (PATA) drive, connected to a physical IDE port? With an 80-wire cable? That might indicate that the problem is something more fundamental, and has nothing to do with the RAID.

I would try a CMOS clear, then try it again.

Where did you obtain your Windows 7 disc?

I connected a PATA drive to the physical port yes. I was quite surprised when the error returned. I'll clear the CMOS and check the jumpers. I will also try those nvidia drivers.

The installation disk I have was purchased from newegg. I also tried a windows 8.1 installation disk and got the error as well. The disks work fine in other machines.

I also did the 'CLEAN ALL' on one of the drives in DISKPART but that didn't yield any different results. I'm starting to think there's something wrong with the board itself.