Hard drive won't format

ArtemisG3 · 05-03-2006, 11:37 AM

I'm having trouble formatting a new 250GB drive (Western Digital WD2500JB). I received this same error when I tried to simply erase/format or partition:

Code:

May  2 16:24:44: Disk Utility started.

Preparing to partition disk: “Oxford Semiconductor Ltd.”
	Partition Scheme: Apple Partition Scheme
	2 partitions will be created

	Partition 1
		Name       : “Untitled 1”
		Size       : 116.4 GB
		Filesystem : Mac OS Extended (Journaled)

	Partition 2
		Name       : “Untitled 2”
		Size       : 116.4 GB
		Filesystem : Mac OS Extended (Journaled)

Creating Partition Map
Partition failed for disk Oxford Semiconductor Ltd.  Input/output error
Partition complete.

error with partition Input/output error

I've tried this on two separate drives of the same model. I've tried it internally in a G4 (10.3.9) and externally on a G5 (10.4.6) in a firewire enclosure. No success so far.

Anybody know what is going on?

voldenuit · 05-03-2006, 11:43 AM

Put it back in the G4 and check the SMART status.

I/O errors in two distinct contexts sounds a lot like the disk has a problem.

Make sure it is properly jumpered as Master (FW enclosure) or Slave (second internal drive), CableSelect may cause problems.

If you have a PC, get WDs diagnostics program and check the drive, that's what they'll do whereever you bought it.

macsolver · 05-03-2006, 11:49 AM

Hi,

The info you have copied into you post appears to be generated by the hardware "bridge" in the firewire enclosure. It may have a 128Gb limit, or it may be faulty/incompatible with the actual HDD.

Please can you copy the same info when the HDD is formatted in the G4. Assuming it is an ATA, check the jumpers are correct for the location in the G4.

Regards,

Nick

ArtemisG3 · 05-03-2006, 01:42 PM

If it wasn't bad enough, I probably made it worse. SMART status verified with it internal in the G4, but I still didn't have any luck formatting it. This time I tried formatting as 128GB and it worked, now I can't get back the rest of the drive. Is it time for the Windows-only Western Digital utilities?

voldenuit · 05-03-2006, 01:57 PM

Sorry, macsolver is most probably right that both the G4 and your FW enclosure can't handle disks that big. I don't remember when exactly Apple started using controllers capable to handle drives bigger than 128 GB.

There might be a firmware update for the FW enclosure.
If you bought it new, check with the vendor.

Until then, you should be able to use them safely with the reduced capacity.

trevor · 05-03-2006, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voldenuit


	I don't remember when exactly Apple started using controllers capable to handle drives bigger than 128 GB.

The Quicksilver 2001 can only handle ATA-5, i.e. can't address more than 128/137GB on a drive.

The Quicksilver 2002 CAN handle ATA-6, i.e. it can address large drive sizes. Apple doesn't officially claim this for the Quicksilver 2002, for some reason, they (incorrectly) claim that the first computer to handle large drive sizes was the PowerMac G4 Mirrored Drive Door models.

ArtemisG3, you haven't mentioned what computer you have, other than that it has a G4 processor. Can you be explicit?

Trevor

ArtemisG3 · 05-03-2006, 02:16 PM

Actually, I've been trying this on a couple G4's. One is a 733mhz (quicksilver?), and the other is a graphite. I don't know the exact specs. I had assumed that the newer one could handle the 250GB drive, but maybe I was wrong.

trevor · 05-03-2006, 02:23 PM

By "Graphite", do you mean that it has the El Capitan case?

There were two PowerMac G4/733 MHz models. The first was older and had the El Capitan case as above, the second was a Quicksilver 2001 model:

In any event, neither PowerMac G4/733 can handle ATA-6 on the motherboard ATA natively (although there is a driver that can make it work for a non-boot drive).

You may want to buy an ATA card for either PowerMac to give you large drive support, as well as additional speed. I personally prefer the Acard chipset ATA cards, such as the RAID cards from Sonnet.

Trevor

ArtemisG3 · 05-03-2006, 02:42 PM

Yes, El Capitan = Graphite.

Where would I find this driver to make ATA-6 work with a non-boot drive? If that'll work, I'll do that. I'm just trying to add some space to an OS X Server.

ArtemisG3 · 05-03-2006, 02:54 PM

Is this it?
http://www.speedtools.com/ATA6.shtml

Not free, though.

trevor · 05-03-2006, 03:35 PM

Yes, that's it. No, it's not free.

I think you might be happier with an ATA card.

Trevor

05-03-2006, 11:49 AM	#3
macsolver Major Leaguer Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Redhill, Surrey, England Posts: 271	More info please Hi, The info you have copied into you post appears to be generated by the hardware "bridge" in the firewire enclosure. It may have a 128Gb limit, or it may be faulty/incompatible with the actual HDD. Please can you copy the same info when the HDD is formatted in the G4. Assuming it is an ATA, check the jumpers are correct for the location in the G4. Regards, Nick

05-03-2006, 02:23 PM	#8
trevor Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Boulder, CO USA Posts: 16,715	By "Graphite", do you mean that it has the El Capitan case? There were two PowerMac G4/733 MHz models. The first was older and had the El Capitan case as above, the second was a Quicksilver 2001 model: In any event, neither PowerMac G4/733 can handle ATA-6 on the motherboard ATA natively (although there is a driver that can make it work for a non-boot drive). You may want to buy an ATA card for either PowerMac to give you large drive support, as well as additional speed. I personally prefer the Acard chipset ATA cards, such as the RAID cards from Sonnet. Trevor __________________ Eight steps to Internet unpopularity - Chris Breen.

05-03-2006, 03:35 PM	#11
trevor Moderator Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Boulder, CO USA Posts: 16,715	Yes, that's it. No, it's not free. I think you might be happier with an ATA card. Trevor __________________ Eight steps to Internet unpopularity - Chris Breen.

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05-03-2006, 11:43 AM	#2
voldenuit Hall of Famer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Old Europe Posts: 4,896	Put it back in the G4 and check the SMART status. I/O errors in two distinct contexts sounds a lot like the disk has a problem. Make sure it is properly jumpered as Master (FW enclosure) or Slave (second internal drive), CableSelect may cause problems. If you have a PC, get WDs diagnostics program and check the drive, that's what they'll do whereever you bought it.

05-03-2006, 01:42 PM	#4
ArtemisG3 Triple-A Player Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 147	If it wasn't bad enough, I probably made it worse. SMART status verified with it internal in the G4, but I still didn't have any luck formatting it. This time I tried formatting as 128GB and it worked, now I can't get back the rest of the drive. Is it time for the Windows-only Western Digital utilities?

05-03-2006, 01:57 PM	#5
voldenuit Hall of Famer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Old Europe Posts: 4,896	Sorry, macsolver is most probably right that both the G4 and your FW enclosure can't handle disks that big. I don't remember when exactly Apple started using controllers capable to handle drives bigger than 128 GB. There might be a firmware update for the FW enclosure. If you bought it new, check with the vendor. Until then, you should be able to use them safely with the reduced capacity.

05-03-2006, 02:16 PM	#7
ArtemisG3 Triple-A Player Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 147	Actually, I've been trying this on a couple G4's. One is a 733mhz (quicksilver?), and the other is a graphite. I don't know the exact specs. I had assumed that the newer one could handle the 250GB drive, but maybe I was wrong.

05-03-2006, 02:42 PM	#9
ArtemisG3 Triple-A Player Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 147	Yes, El Capitan = Graphite. Where would I find this driver to make ATA-6 work with a non-boot drive? If that'll work, I'll do that. I'm just trying to add some space to an OS X Server.

05-03-2006, 02:54 PM	#10
ArtemisG3 Triple-A Player Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 147	Is this it? http://www.speedtools.com/ATA6.shtml Not free, though.