hdd format issue

[bitsnpcs]

Thank you for letting me know that dd version 8.25 will show progress if I use "status=progress" in command 

I see what you mean now looking at my edit.
I have re-edited the post, and changed where it previously read, "it has fixed it", to  "wipefs has fixed it".

[gold_finger]

I hadn't realized until I read the info Scott gave me, just how devious the manufacturers are with the hidden files.

I didn't realize that either until I read what he posted.  Very annoying isn't it?  A couple of years ago I also bought one of those WD Passport Drives for my dad and used it to make a clone of his Windows system.  I do remember it had some kind of extra junk software on it, but don't think I had to resort to measures you did.  Pretty sure I just deleted it before using the drive, just like you assumed would work on your drive.

[bitsnpcs]

Yes the junk software is very annoying. It reminds me of those windows software that want to do everything that I would avoid installing.