Problem formatting new usb 250 gb external hd

[Jefftacular]

(I initially posted this in the Windows XP forum, but the more I've worked on the problem, the more it appears to be a hardware problem. So I've copied and pasted the posts here)

Hey,
I've been having difficulties formatting my new external hard drive. It's a 250 gb Seagate usb 2.0. I'm using windows xp on my Acer Aspire 1355 laptop.
I've been able to initialize and partition the new drive fine, however, when I attempt to format it I run into problems. After about 2-3 hours of formatting, my computer will freeze up. I cant move the mouse, ctrl+alt+delete and pressing the power button does nothing. I'm forced to disconnect the power supply in order to get it to restart.
I'm attempting to format as a NTSF using the default formatting speed.
Before it crashes, everything seems to be ok. The computer functions normally, a red "busy" light is lit on the external hdd (once the crash occurs, this light turns back to green). The status bar when formatting, however, doesn't seem to progress at all.
This has happened 3 times. Not sure what's going on.
Any help would be appreciated.
Here's a screen cap of my drives if this helps (it's drive "J"): http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...ar/hdcrash.jpg
--------------------------------------------------------------
WLESS ACER 1355LCI
- AMD XP2600+ mobile CPU
- 512 megs PC2700 DDR RAM
- 30G 2.5" slimline HDD
- CDR-W/DVD combo drive
- 15.1" active matrix tft
- via pro savage KM400 video
- PCMCIA 2.1 Type III
- Firewire IEEE1394 ports
- S-Video TV out port
- 4 in 1 memory card reader
- RJ-45 10/100 NIC/ modem
- 802-11B Acer Wless LAN
- MSOFT direct sound
- VGA port - EPP/ECP port
- Infrared ports SIR/FIR IrDA
- Windows XP home SP2

Update
(V More of a hardware problem V)
After playing around with the drive last night using Partition Magic, I was able to partition the drive. The partitions are as follows: J: (100 megs), K: (77 gigs), L: (77 gigs), and M: (77 gigs).
The last three partitions I was able to format within a matter of minutes without difficulty. The first partition, J:, is proving troublesome as it wont format at all. The status bar doesn't move and after a few minutes, the Partition Magic program crashes.
I think this explains why I was having difficulty formatting my drive when it was one large partition. That is, it keeps getting hung up on the first partition.
I dont know what this means, though.
Does it sound like the first portion of the hard drive is defective and that I would have to send it back?

(V More of a Windows XP problem V)
I've also found that when i try to transfer files from my internal hd to the external hd partitions that are formatted, that i receive several recurring pop ups from the taskbar stating "Windows - Delayed Write Failed".
I've tried plugging it into different USB slots, but i still encounter the problem.
I've been able to transfer smaller files ( <1 meg), but larger files (>10 megs) elicit this message.
Can anybody help me with this?

Here's an update screen cap of the drives if it helps:
http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a2...r/hdcrash2.jpg

Thanks in advance,
~Jefff

[Jefftacular]

Hey Oldtimer, thanks for the response.
No, my question wasn't whether a new hd needs to be formatted or not.
I repartitioning the hd once more as follows: J: (10 gbs), K: - M: (about 75 gbs or so each). I was able to format all of these partitions (including J: now for some reason).
I'm continuing to experience problems transferring files, however, now this problem is restricted just to J:. It's the same "Windows - Delayed Write Failed" as before. Now in the previous partitioning setup, I was having problems transferring files to K:. With the current partitioning setup, J: overlaps to where K: used to reside (in the previous setup) (hope that doesn't sound too confusing...).
So what it seems like to me is that there is definitely something defective somewhere within the first 10 gbs of the hard drive and that I should return it.
Do you have any other ideas as far as what else it could be?

Thanks,
~Jefff

[milomorai]

sounds like the mbr is hosed - that resides at the "0" sector (the first one) on the hdd. that would explain the hang-up formatting that first partition. try running fdisk, repair the mbr and format it through that.

[Jefftacular]

I've tried a few times and I have been able to format J: now (hit or miss, mostly miss) using Partition Magic and at the My Computer screen, however, I'm still encountering problems transferring files to that partition. After playing around with it more, it seems more and more likely that there is something defective in that sector (somewhere within the first 10 gbs). I'm just going to call the company and arrange an exchange.
Thanks for all the suggestions.
~Jefff