HELP how to format hidden drive [SOLVED]

[wizekraker]

So I used this hardrive for my Bell PVR (TV PVR bell is my tv provider). But now I cant seem to format it back. I already went through Disk Management there it doesn't give me an option. Any help?

[TheYonderGod]

Does your BIOS recognize it? I would use GParted. Instructions how to install it on a USB: http://gparted.sourceforge.net/liveusb.php Just download tuxboot, select GParted and select your USB flash drive, and install it. Then reboot your computer and boot from your usb drive.

[Necromancer]

not sure what do you mean by "invisible" drive.

i had a problem several weeks ago with an SDcard. one of the partitions had a damaged headers? due to unsuccessful partitioning/format and every program i tried would simply stop responding when scanning that card (includes windows disk manager, Gparted, Minitools). it didn't even have a disk letter.
only thing that was able to actually do something without being stuck is Diskpart

[wizekraker]

By Invisible I mean it won't show in my computer it does indeed show up in disk manager. It just computer doesn't recognize that format plus I can't seem to find a way to format it .

[RazY70]

I think what Yonder and Necro are is saying is that there's probably a problem with your disk partition.

You can try one of the many partition managing programs to delete/format the partition. This is a free partition manager: http://www.partitionwizard.com/free-par ... nager.html

[Necromancer]

no, what i'm saying is he doesn't give enough information about his specific problem.
im not familiar with the term "invisible drive" which is the only way he described the problem.

I already went through Disk Management there it doesn't give me an option.

can you see the disk in DM, but the option to format it is grayed out?
can you see the disk in DM, but gives you an error when you try to do an operation on it?
or the computer simply doesn't recognize it? you connect it and nothing happens?

[expandas]

I think this problem is caused by a dynamic disk partition. You will need to use a tool like Partition Wizard to remedy the issue.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/26 ... -disk.html

[wizekraker]

no, what i'm saying is he doesn't give enough information about his specific problem.
im not familiar with the term "invisible drive" which is the only way he described the problem.

I already went through Disk Management there it doesn't give me an option.

can you see the disk in DM, but the option to format it is grayed out?
can you see the disk in DM, but gives you an error when you try to do an operation on it?
or the computer simply doesn't recognize it? you connect it and nothing happens?

I can see it DM but it is grayed out the only option it gives me is Delete Volume.

[.Sup]

Easiest to format it, if you can't seem to do it within Windows, is by restarting your PC, inserting Windows disk, do everything you do when you install Windows, you will reach the format drive option. Format it and cancel Windows installation.

[Necromancer]

I can see it DM but it is grayed out the only option it gives me is Delete Volume.

windows allows you to format only volumes set as "primary", can you change it to "primary"? if not, use Gparted/minitools (powerful and easy to use, no mounting needed) or the windows cmd line i posted above

[knorren]

If there is nothing you want to save on the disc, just erase the partitions and make a new primary partiotion and format it and give it a letter that's free for your computer, then it will show.
The same happened a few weeks ago for myself with two external usb-drives after switching usb-port on my laptop, just had to reassign the letters for the drives.

[wizekraker]

If there is nothing you want to save on the disc, just erase the partitions and make a new primary partiotion and format it and give it a letter that's free for your computer, then it will show.
The same happened a few weeks ago for myself with two external usb-drives after switching usb-port on my laptop, just had to reassign the letters for the drives.

Thats probelm I cant even do that.

[RazY70]

Have you tried the applications expandas and I suggested?

[wizekraker]

Not yet. I dont have time at the moment I'll try expandas link later during this week.
Using the windows disk option .Sup doesnt work

[TheYonderGod]

I can see it DM but it is grayed out the only option it gives me is Delete Volume.

Oh, just click Delete Volume, then make a new one.