However, each time I try to partition and format it I get an error message "Some error occurred when writing partition chains on disk".
I have used a couple of disk utiliy programs to wipe the partion and recreate it, and the programs report the correct disk capacity, cylinders etc, but none will format (tried FAT, FAT16, FAT32, NTFS and varying the cylinder sizes etc as some 'net searches suggest).
Further, scanning the surface and disk for defects reports NO problems at all !
Any suggestions please as to what may be going on here and how to remedy it?
Tks, R.