Sorry, didn't read the rest of your post. I can store and read files from the drive with no problems, it just hangs when I do a big copy. The motherboard in brand new WinFast 6150M2MA with AMD dual core. This drive was in an old Windows 98SE system, which is why it was FAT32, but I upgraded the m/b and tried to change to NTFS. The C: drive is a new Samsung 200Gb.

Keep us posted!

Sorry didn't read the rest of your post. I can write and read individual files OK on that drive, it just hangs when I do a big copy. The drive (which is a SATA drive) used to be in an old Windows 98SE set-up but I upgraded to a brand new motherboard, Winfast 6150M2MA with AMD dual core and then tried to reformat to NTFS. This drive is the D: drive which I use to backup the C: drive, a Samsumg 200GB. I also back up on an external drive.

Thanks - I have never tried to format an SATA to FAT-32 - I will be interesting to see what Seagate says.

At last a satisfactory ending to my problems. I returned the drive to Saegate/Maxtor and I've just received a replacement which works just fine. Thanks for your input.

I've dropped Maxtor a note as it's still in warranty - hope they say it's broke and to return it for exchange!!!!!????

Worth a try!