BleepingComputer.com: Windows Cannot Format The Hdd?!?!?

hi,
have taken an older HDD and put it into a new computer and went to
format it using disk management (NTFS) but at the end i get an error message
saying the "windows was unable to complete the format" and then says
"the disk in drive E cannot be formatted".
when clicking on the drive in explorer an error comes up saying the
disk is not formatted.
i've tried 3 times to format it, including a quick format and still the same.
this particular HDD had windows on it before but should that really
make a difference?

am using winXP pro SP2
the HDD is an IDE Maxtor 60gig. the jumpers are set to slave.

any help is appreciated and thanks in advance!

Did you delete all previous existing partitions...before attempting to format/partition?

Did you run a disk diagnostic or chkdsk /r on the drive in question?

Is the primary system drive...also employing the Master/Slave jumper settings...or does it use C/S? Both drives have to employ the same option (either C/S or Master/Slave) if they are on the same IDE cable.

Louis

Wait a minute are you trying to put in a slaved drive to install Windows?

If your installing an operating system it needs to be the active or bootable partition and needs to be set to master.

this is crazy cause that HDD worked in my dads old computer for years and now when i try to reformat it goes to garbage? weird and not right, there must be something that can be done...

will try the diagnostic tool from maxtor and also try to delete the partition b4 i format...thanks!