hmmm, the Windows-CD cannot do a low-level format

I guess that is proof that the HD is fubar?

since when can windows do a low level format? true a low level format tool for the disk manufacturer's website

well, it wasn't a quick format like with partition magic

windows can't do low level format ;) you need a special tool for that, which is provided by your HDD manufacturer, it's through boot disk and dos-like interface

Still, does the error windows gives me indicate the harddisk is done? It cannot even finish the format of this partition.

it can be that the MBR is screwed, that index is screwed, that partition table is screwed, "software" issues; if the drive fails low level format (through dos-tool) you can say it's toast...

I have recovered a few drives now which did not work in Windows, but after low level format were as good as new. Problems consisted of very low transfer rates and "file not found" errors.

well, it seems it was the MBR as it got through this time after fixmbr

What could be the reason the MBR got bad?

simple system crash in the middle of write process is enough to screw things up, 99.9% it's nothing too bad, 0.1% it was right in the middle of the MBR write update...

sigh, the error returned I am really about to rip the HD out

low level format the HDD, that don't work, throw it out