Synchronizing with network...

[CanaryInTheMine]

As far as I know the datadir isn't valid in the bitcoin.conf file.  Maybe they added it to a new release?  Usually you have to add it to the command line options, e.g. in your startup folder or just as a separate shortcut that you start yourself.

Seems to have worked in the config file...

[CanaryInTheMine]

Anndd... same problem as in OP (original post).
this isn't a hdd issue, bitcoin-qt has a bug. devs?

[SgtSpike]

Does it always get stuck at the same block?  Do you have the latest Bitcoin-QT?

[cp1]

That's really odd.  Make sure it's using the new directory on the new drive.  (check the block file timestamps in both).  Did you try an older version of bitcoin-qt?  If you really need it working on this particular computer and you don't want to reinstall windows, you could install linux in a virtual box as a kludge.

[CanaryInTheMine]

Does it always get stuck at the same block?  Do you have the latest Bitcoin-QT?

no

[CanaryInTheMine]

That's really odd.  Make sure it's using the new directory on the new drive.  (check the block file timestamps in both).  Did you try an older version of bitcoin-qt?  If you really need it working on this particular computer and you don't want to reinstall windows, you could install linux in a virtual box as a kludge.

fresh install to a new dir on new disk. new directory on a new hdd for blockchain, wallet etc.... everything is running of of a new disk.
it's a bug.