System doesn't read > 137 GB

[phredo]

I just installed a 160GB HD on an AMD Sempron emachine with XP, to use as a backup drive. On my old Win98, it was only showing 137GB, and I knew that that was because of something I didn't have installed, but I just let it go. I thought on my new computer I would get the whole 160, but it still reports as 137. I ran a program called BigDriveEnabler, which apparently made some registry changes, but still 137.

What do I need to do to get those 23 GB? Thanks.

 

[rvnguy]

phredo,

Your new computer....what OS? Old 98? or xp?

BIOS should might indicate the format type, looking for LBA or LBA enabled or.

Does BIOS see it as 160? Normally, BIOS does not look past the drive info like for partitioning etc. Just at drive size.

Also post back with drive mfg & model.

Do you have a drive mfg CD?


rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[garebo]

I think he said it was win xp, but dont you have to have sp1 installed for these larger drives?


Good advice + great people = tek-tips

 

[cdogg]

Your motherboard and OS must both support 48-bit lba to see drives greater than 137GB.

http://www.48bitlba.com

Like rvnguy said, make sure the BIOS can see the full amount. If it does, then you know the problem is within Windows (for XP, gotta be on at least SP1). If it doesn't, then you can try to flash your BIOS to the latest revision for support.

Because your newer PC has a Sempron CPU, I'm assuming this is a pretty recent motherboard. So I don't think you will have to flash the BIOS or worry about it being the problem.


Chances are that in Win98, you formatted the drive into at least one partition of 137GB. When you moved this drive to the new PC, it still only showed you what's formatted - 137GB. If you look in Disk Management or use a 3rd-party program like Partition Magic, then you should be able to locate the "unallocated" space that wasn't seen in Win98. You won't be able to resize a partition using XP's built-in tools, but with a Partition Magic (or other 3rd-party apps) you can. Otherwise, just create a separate partition...

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[rvnguy]

Tnks garebo, yes I have ben missing much lately, need a bigger monitor or glasses I guess.

cdogg has hit on the problem 10x.

This drive is/was formatted as 137 previously, and I/we take it that you did not reformat to install XP. Therfore, The Master Boot Record(MBR) defines the space as it was setup vs what is actually available.

to use as a backup drive

As you are using this as a second drive, the easy way, unless you have a 3rd party app, would be to copy all files to the main drive i.e. \backupfiles. Then re format the 160 and use the complete drive or partition as you see fit. Then copy the files back.

Hope this is clear

rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all