How to format using a PC a USB HDD previously used with TV

The procedure differs depending on Operating System installed your PC.

Procedure for Windows XP
Procedure for Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1
Procedure for Mac

WARNING: There is a risk of data loss. If you format the USB HDD all the recorded contents will be deleted and cannot be recovered.


Procedure for Windows XP:
Preparation: Please verify below points before performing the HDD format.

1. Remove all the USB storage devices from your PC
2. Log in your PC as an Administrator
3. If you are using laptop, Plug in to AC
4. Format may take couple of hours; keep the power supply connected during HDD formatting.

Change the settings to [None] for the [Hard disk] and [System Standby] from [Power management].
Right click on the desktop > [Properties] > [Screen sever] > [Power management] > [System standby] and [Hard disk]

1. Right click [My computer], then click [Management] from menu
Otherwise you can access to [Management] as follow:
[Start] > [Setting] > [Control panel] > [Administrative tools] > [Computer management].

 

 2. Select [Disk management] in the below menu



3. Connect the USB HDD to the USB port.
After connection the USB HDD will appear in the screen. Please make sure is the right HDD connecting and disconnecting from USB port.



4. Select the partition of your HDD.

5. Delete all the partitions of the HDD, clicking the right button over the partition and select [Delete partition] from menu.



6. You will be asked to confirm if you want to delete the partition. Select “Yes"

7. Proceed in the same way with the rest of partitions of the HDD

8. When all the partition have been deleted. Click right button and select [New partition] from menu



9. The below screen “New Partition Wizard” will appear.

10. Select “Next”

 

11. Select [Primary partition] and "Next"

 

12. Leave the options by default and click on "Next"

14. In the below screen, select option [Format this partition] with settings by default.
NOTE: HDD formatting takes a couple of hours depending on combination of your HDD capacity and CPU of PC.

Regular or Quick format?
Quick Format: Removes files from the disk without scanning the disk for bad sectors. Use this option only if the disk has been previously formatted, and you are sure the disk is not damaged.
Regular Format: files are removed from the volume that you are formatting and the hard disk is scanned for bad sectors. The scan for bad sectors is responsible for the majority of the time that it takes to format a volume.

Regular format	Quick format

15. Click on “Finish



16. You can show File allocation system as [NTFS] after completed HDD format.

17. Double click [My computer], then your formatted HDD will be shown

Procedure for Windows Vista, 7 and 8: Preparation：

Please verify below points before performing the HDD format.

1. Remove all the USB storage devices from your PC
2. Log in in your PC as an Administrator
3. If you are using laptop, Plug in to AC
4. Format may take couple of hours; keep the power supply connected during HDD formatting.

1. Right-click [Computer icon] on Desktop or Start menu and click [Manage]

1. Alternative method to access to [Manage] is:

1. Click on the [Start] button and then choose [Control Panel].
   *Point cursor lower right corner of screen, and select [Settings]. Select [Control Menu] from Settings menu.
   *Windows 8 Only  

2. Click on the [System and Security] link.
   NOTE: If you're viewing the Large icons or Small icons view of Control Panel you won't see this link so just click on the Administrative Tools icon and skip to Step 4.
   
3. In the System and Security window, click on the [Administrative Tools].
4. In the Administrative Tools window, double-click on the [Computer Management] icon.
5. When Computer Management opens, click on [Disk Management]on the left side of the window, located under Storage.

2. Computer Management window opens Click Disk Management on the left side, under Storage section

 


3. Disk Management window opens. The HDD appears in the screen, but without [File System] information Please make sure is the right HDD connecting and disconnecting from USB port



4. Delete all the partitions of the HDD, clicking the right button over the partition and select [Delete Volume] from menu

5. You will be asked to confirm if you want to delete the partition. Select [Yes]

6. Proceed in the same way with the remaining partitions of the HDD

7. When all the partition have been deleted. Click right button and select [New simple Volume] from menu.

8. New Simple Volume Wizard window opens.

9. Select [Next].

10. Keep the default value and click on [Next].

11. If needed, assign a drive letter to the partition and click on [Next].

12 .Select option [Format this volume with the following settings]. Leave the settings by default and click on [Next].

13 .Click on [Finish].

14.You can seen File allocation system as NTFS after completed HDD format.

15. Double click Computer icon, then your formatted HDD will be shown For [Windows 8].
 Right click on Start screen, and select [All apps] > [Computer].

Procedure for MAC (10.6): Preparation:
Please verify the below points before performing the HDD format.

1. Remove all the USB storage devices from your PC
2. If you are using laptop, Plug in to AC
3. Format may take some minutes, so keep the power supply connected during HDD formatting.

1. If you have used the HDD with your Bravia TV to record, when you connect the HDD disk to the USB port of computer will appear automatically the following message on the screen

2. The [Disk Utility] screen will appear.
Otherwise you can access to [Disk Utility] through [spotlight] on the upper right side of the desktop; writing [disk utility] and click on it.

3. In the left side of the [Disk Utility] will appear all storage devices connected to your MAC. 
Please make sure to select the HDD to be formatted (if HDD was used with BRAVIA you will see 5 partitions, for example: disk1sx)

4. Click over the correct HDD, and will appear the below screen with indications

5. Select [Erase] in the below screen will appear

6. Click on the down arrow (red circle) to select the desired [Format]

7. Optionally give a name to the HDD   

8. Click [Erase] in the bottom right side of screen

9. A message will appear to confirm if you want to erase the HDD. Please select [Erase].



10. The formatted HDD will be shown

11. Now when connecting the HDD disk to the USB port it will be recognized and the icon will appear on the desktop

Applicable models