id' try to run mkfs and make new partitions. some of the Linux file systems have repair functions usually a variant of chkfs. the one windows drive not working don't surprise me. I had some NTFS windows XP drives, had os drive die so went to Linux and it wouldn't recognize anything on the partitions.

 

Just ran across this thread, are you trying to partition and format the disk in a different computer than it will be working in? If so that is why you could be having the problem. Install the disk in your laptop and use good old Fdisk and Format to format it.