I/O Disk Error...Please help

[DoctorReno]

Just a FYI: It IS NOT a low level format. You CANNOT low level format a modern HD. This is a zero fill format. Major difference between the two. A low level format is something that had to be done on very very antique styled HD's that could physically get out of kilter. Low-level formatting is the process of outlining the positions of the tracks and sectors on the hard disk, and writing the control structures that define where the tracks and sectors are..... not just writing zeros to the drive. A low level format is impossible and if possible totally unnecessary on todays modern drives by the consumer.
Lot's of people incorrectly refer to it as a low level format but they are quite incorrect. For some informative reading go to: http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/geom/formatLow-c.html

Bottom line tho is that you now understand and should be able to do a zero fill with the Seagate utility. If not post and I will suggest other utilities.

[Monstermile]

No luck with the Segate utilities. I booted to the first disk, then inserted the second when it asked for it. Everything seems ok then it goes to a screen where it says "Insert diskette for drive A: Strike any key when ready".

[DoctorReno]

I don't know what to tell you. I don't doubt what you are saying is true but obviously no one including myself has seen what you are describing.

I suspect the answer is there and simple. I guess I'd try the Seagate disks in another computer just to be certain that they will boot and take you to the DiskWizard program.
I'd maybe try another floppy drive in your machine. Maybe try a new floppy cable. Maybe try setting the floppy to B: in the BIOS and then moving the floppy to the correct connector on the cable. Try removing all but the minimum memory or try known good memory from another machine. Try disconnecting the HD and then booting to floppy. Removing any extra cards and devices and running the machine as stripped down as possible. These are all just suggestions because something is very VERY unusual here.

Maybe you do have a bad Mobo or floppy controller in addition to the likely bad HD.

I said I'd suggest another utility to zero fill your HD. It is available for fully functional trial at: http://www.east-tec.com/sanitizer/
Again, you download it and then run the program to create a floppy which you then boot with and follow the directions to run a complete sanitize of the disk.

[Monstermile]

Ok I got the replacement drive today. I put it in and am running FDISK. The drive integrity verification is going on but extremely slow. Like 17% in a half hour.

Ok I just went and checked again and for some reason it started over with the check. Just hanging at 0%. Grrrrrr

[jmebonner]

I'm off to bed, so I really don't have time to read throught the entire thread,so someone may have suggested this, but have you swapped the ram into the other slot? Or borrow some of the same type of RAM from a friend and try that. Hey, it's worth a shot!

[Monstermile]

Haven't tried that with the ram yet.

But one thing I also noticed is that I am still getting the no 80 pin connector detected message.

[Monstermile]

Bump

[meese]

Monstermile,

Ship me your pc and I will fix it for you. you pay for shipping and I'll get it working. What OS do you want, I'll give you anything but XP. No kidding. I hate to see these things drone on. You deserve BETTER! If you are interested email me. NO Bu!! Sh!t!!!!!

[LeoTheLion]

Dear All,

I have the same problem as Monster's on WD, then I searched and found you all and did STUDY all your suggestion.

I did all steps (ideas) as you all helped Monster, But the DISK I/O ERROR still.

I borrow my friend HD and when I set THIS WD as slave on THIS mobo, I can view/work with all my data on it.

BUT (again) when it is Master on THIS mobo:
DISK I/O ERROR
again !!!!!!
HELP ME !