IBM 600E Format HDD Problem

[V-Man]

I purchased a used IBM 600E. Decided to format the hard drive to start clean. (the drive works, just slow) and when I try to format, I get an error message "insufficient memory". If I boot to DOS and go to the CDROM, I can run Win 98 Setup, but I still have problems, and of course the drive isn't newly formatted. If I dump out of 98 setup, I can get to a DOS prompt where I can run Format, but it gives me then an allocation error. When I run Scandisk, it finds lots of 'bad clusters'. Any ideas?

[Fruss Tray Ted]

I have used harddrives in the past with marked 'bad sectors', but not recently. IMO, the drive is on it's way out if that occurs. Copy (to cdr) what you can and transfer it to the replacement drive, or carry over what info needed to a newer system. Your choice. Bad sectors are nothing more than physical imperfections or a worn out drive.

"Catch" the info (data) before it's too late.

[igardea]

I purchased a used IBM 600E. Decided to format the hard drive to start clean. (the drive works, just slow) and when I try to format, I get an error message "insufficient memory". If I boot to DOS and go to the CDROM, I can run Win 98 Setup, but I still have problems, and of course the drive isn't newly formatted. If I dump out of 98 setup, I can get to a DOS prompt where I can run Format, but it gives me then an allocation error. When I run Scandisk, it finds lots of 'bad clusters'. Any ideas?

you can partitionate your hard drive, and formated, that will be more quickly fix that you can make, if the problem with the insufficient memory persist, try an checkdsk

[Fox on Fire]

igardea, try staying awake in english class...

If i were you, I would buy Spinrite. It checks your drive for bad sectors, and repairs those bad sectors. If it can't be repaired, it hides that sector forever.

Also, I would try finding this one program, called 'delpart.com'. It deletes every single partition, even hidden ones, and writes zero's accross your drive, in a snap. then you can use Win98's bootable CD, or a startup disk, and run fdisk, and format it.

[V-Man]

Thanks to all for the responses. I'll try Checkdisk and some of the other tips... sounds like it's time to pony up for a new drive. I did at least save everything on the drive before I tried to format, so nothing lost. Thanks for the help.