Please click the link below for your operating system to download the TSG SysInfo Utility. Click on "Save File" then double-click the file to run it. Copy and paste the report in your initial post. Windows 7 and later (downloads a file named tsginfo.exe) | Windows XP (downloads a file named SysInfo.exe)

Hard Drive (40GB) shows only 8GB

5256 Views 20 Replies 7 Participants Last post by NiteHawk, Mar 20, 2004

HOBOcs

Discussion Starter · Mar 19, 2004

Issue: My 40GB Maxtor hard drive only shows 8GB in my computer C Drive properties. I'm moving this Disk to a "newer" PIII computer.

Request: I'm looking for direction to make it see it all. Note I am aware of some issues with BIOS's not recognizing the disk, although I don't know how to go about correcting this issue.
Any help direction appreciated.

Details:
Singel Partition - contains WinSE, MSOffice, loads of software.
BIOS was originally set to auto have since changed it to "User"

Bios details
User
Size=40024MB
Cyln=4866
Head=255
WPcom=0
Sec=63
LBA Mode=on
BLK Mode=on
PIO Mode=4
32Bit Mode=on

SYSTEM INFORMATION 19-03-2004

[ MY COMPUTER ]
BIOS Type: American Megatrends VER: 1.21.04
BIOS Date: 05/11/01
Memory: 119 Mb
Drives:
A: [DISC DRIVE]
C: [HARD DISC] 7.8 GB FAT32
D: [COMPACT DISC]

[ PROCESSOR ]
Description: intel Pentium III
Vendor: GenuineIntel
Speed: 666.57 MHz
Type: Primary
Count: 1 CPUs found
Features: FPU RDTSC MMX iSSE

[ OPERATING SYSTEM ]
Description: Windows 98 SE
Platform: Windows 95
Version: 4.10 (Build: 2222)

See less See more

Save

Status: Not open for further replies.

1 - 6 of 21 Posts

pyritechips

· #7 · Mar 19, 2004

They (maxtor) mentioned some sort of overlay bios that allows for bigger drives if your bios can't handle it

I agree. There is a 8 GB BIOS limit on old computers. Overlay software is the ticket.

Save

pyritechips

· #12 · Mar 20, 2004

Hi again:

Yes, I started out with an old NEC P-I 166mhz with a Quantum bigfoot 2.2 GB HDD. My friend put in a 20 GB Fujitsu and installed DDO. On such an overlay the partitioning and formatting is done with the overlay. If it is then done again with the regular windows FDISK it will overwrite the overlay.

I may be mistaken but if a larger drive is partitioned on the old machine it will be recognised as having only 8 GB. I would personally do a LLF on the drive; I factory-nuke all used drives that I use for the first time.

Save

pyritechips

· #14 · Mar 20, 2004

I have heard other people speaking negatively about overlays but some times there are no options. Some say it is better to upgrade the BIOS but:

1) Flashing a BIOS can go wrong. Result: throw away the mobo.

2) Most of the time BIOS upgrades just are not available for older BIOS's.

I personally never had one bit of problem with the overlay.

Save

pyritechips

· #16 · Mar 20, 2004

Hello Elvandil:

Nope! I'm no advisor! I only had that on my old box. I have a newer computer now with no HDD restriction...

...well, not exactly. It is not well known but the standard W98se boot floppy FDISK has a 64 GB limit. There is an upgrade available for partitioning HDD's larger than 64 GB.

BTW: if I blew my old 166mhz it certainly not worth fixing!

Save

pyritechips

· #18 · Mar 20, 2004

My disc utility of choice is Maxtor's PowerMax. It is not proprietary, ie. it will work on a wide variety of HDD's.

UNfortunately, I do not have a HDD larger than 64 GB to practice on but I do have the updated FDISK, available here for anyone who cares to give it a try. All you have to do is unzip it and copy it into the W98se boot floppy, replacing the original FDISK.

Save

pyritechips

· #20 · Mar 20, 2004

Ok Elvandil, enjoy!

:up:

Save

1 - 6 of 21 Posts

Status: Not open for further replies.

Top Contributors this Month