Sounds like it doesn't know how big the drive is and just keeps looping round. I really have no idea what drive you are using but for me to overcome such issues I get the drives on the Workbench and only then do a Quick Format. Anything else just loses the data on the drives. I also format the dead space on the drive above the 4Gb threshold and DELETE it. First though it has to be created and then deleted to leave an empty area on the drive. This works on large IDE draives that I use as I never use CF stuff. I never use FORMAT. Only Quick.
Also get a ROM switcher or upgrade to to 2.04. Seriously 1.3 never had a hardrive controller. Its a pain in the rear. Get a switcher if you wanna kick back to 1.3. Only way forward is 2.04.
PS I have had a drive validate for over a day. So maybe leave the thing alone.
