hdd format issue

[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.