BigLba problems

[mike000777]

Ok I installed a new 320GB HD in Win2k by doing the EnableBigLba
registry change and everything worked fine.

Two days ago I reinstalled Win2k and of course it didn't recognize the
drive above 128MB, nor did it recognize the formatting. So, I did the
registry mod again and it still didn't work. I was messing around and
made the new drive "active". I confess, I didn't know WHAT I was
doing, I was just trying to get it to work. I still dont' know what
that does.

Well I later learned that I needed SP3 or greater for BigLba to work.
So, I downloaded SP4 and a rollup, etc etc etc... fully updated and
now it still shows the orig 128 MB partition 'active' and an
additional partition with the remaining 170MB on it. Neither it
recognizes as formatted.
At this time I have reinstalled Win2k -again- hoping to get out from
under this rock.

So, I will reinstall, upgrade to SP4 -then- apply EnableBigLba. I do
not have internet on this PC yet due to wireless modem drivers, etc
being on the lost disc (LOL) soooo if anyone can anticipate any
problems I might still run into this evening, please speak up.

 

[John John]

You don't need to reinstall Windows, you will just end up at the same
place if you do. After you install SP4 and enable big LBA in the
registry just use the Disk Management tool to create a new partition in
the unallocated space then format it.

John

 

[nesredep egrob]

Ok I installed a new 320GB HD in Win2k by doing the EnableBigLba
registry change and everything worked fine.

Two days ago I reinstalled Win2k and of course it didn't recognize the
drive above 128MB, nor did it recognize the formatting. So, I did the
registry mod again and it still didn't work. I was messing around and
made the new drive "active". I confess, I didn't know WHAT I was
doing, I was just trying to get it to work. I still dont' know what
that does.

Well I later learned that I needed SP3 or greater for BigLba to work.
So, I downloaded SP4 and a rollup, etc etc etc... fully updated and
now it still shows the orig 128 MB partition 'active' and an
additional partition with the remaining 170MB on it. Neither it
recognizes as formatted.
At this time I have reinstalled Win2k -again- hoping to get out from
under this rock.

So, I will reinstall, upgrade to SP4 -then- apply EnableBigLba. I do
not have internet on this PC yet due to wireless modem drivers, etc
being on the lost disc (LOL) soooo if anyone can anticipate any
problems I might still run into this evening, please speak up.

Rather amazing. I have 2x 200 gb which have worked well for some years and now
needed much more space for some video work. Chose a 730 WD SATA and installed
and that came out as 128MB despite the fact that the others were working so I
had to resort to my cure which is:

Start/run/regedit
(if unsure export registry for safety)
select HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
navigate to system/services/atapi/parameters or
system/currentcontrolset/services/atapi/parameters
right click for new
Select Dword name it EnableBigLba (take note of case)
set value to 1
end regedit
reboot

and I now have 1350 GB of disk space
No worries

Borge in sunny Perth, Australia

 

[mike000777]

You don't need to reinstall Windows, you will just end up at the same
place if you do. After you install SP4 and enable big LBA in the
registry just use the Disk Management tool to create a new partition in
the unallocated space then format it.

John







- Show quoted text -

I have indeed experienced what you said. Nothing has changed. I am now
running XP but the same thing. I dl'd Knoppix, booted up into Linux
and it wouldn't mount the drive either.

The problem is I have LOTS of data on that drive. That's why I want to
get back in it. Should I be looking for some way to recreate the
partition table?

Errrrrrrrrr!

 

[John John]

I have indeed experienced what you said. Nothing has changed. I am now
running XP but the same thing. I dl'd Knoppix, booted up into Linux
and it wouldn't mount the drive either.

The problem is I have LOTS of data on that drive. That's why I want to
get back in it. Should I be looking for some way to recreate the
partition table?

Windows XP requires SP1 or better to properly see large drives. If I
understand your post correctly, you installed Windows 2000 on the 320GB
drive when it was already partitioned and used as one large partition?
You will have to consult with data recovery professionals to see what
can be done to salvage your files. Rebuilding the partition table may
recreate the drive in one large partition but there is no guarantee that
the data above the 127GB boundary is still intact. You can try recovery
software and see if you can rebuild the drive or recover your files.

If you installed Windows on a different drive, then once the service
pack and registry edits are applied it should recognize the full size of
the storage drive.

John

 

[mike000777]

Windows XP requires SP1 or better to properly see large drives. If I
understand your post correctly, you installed Windows 2000 on the 320GB
drive when it was already partitioned and used as one large partition?
You will have to consult with data recovery professionals to see what
can be done to salvage your files. Rebuilding the partition table may
recreate the drive in one large partition but there is no guarantee that
the data above the 127GB boundary is still intact. You can try recovery
software and see if you can rebuild the drive or recover your files.

If you installed Windows on a different drive, then once the service
pack and registry edits are applied it should recognize the full size of
the storage drive.

John- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

No, no OS has ever been installed on the 320gb.

Timeline:

Was running Win2k with latest SP on HD1.
Bought 320GB HD, now referred to as HD2.
HD2 was stuck at 128MB.
Applied EnableBigLba to Win2k, formatted HD2 and began using
successfully @ 320GB.
Reformatted HD1 using Win2k Install Disk and reinstalled Win2k on HD1.
HD2 back to 128GB. EnableBigLba on Win2k.
HD2 Still at 128GB.
Realize I have not upgraded to appropriate SP.
Upgrade to SP4.
HD2 still at 128MB + another "Unallocated" 170MB. At this point, I can
see the whole drive in Disk Management but it's split.
Horsing around, I make the 128GB partition on HD2 "Active". No change.

Then, I proceed to do the same install and SP upgrades with WinXP and
have the exact same problem.

Booted with Linux, Linux won't mount the drive. Downloaded a trial of
"Partition Table Doctor 3.5" which sees the drive at full size, but
says there's no partition.

That's where I am now, running WinXP still.

 

[Andy]

Timeline:

Was running Win2k with latest SP on HD1.
Bought 320GB HD, now referred to as HD2.
HD2 was stuck at 128MB.
Applied EnableBigLba to Win2k, formatted HD2 and began using
successfully @ 320GB.
Reformatted HD1 using Win2k Install Disk and reinstalled Win2k on HD1.
HD2 back to 128GB. EnableBigLba on Win2k.
HD2 Still at 128GB.
Realize I have not upgraded to appropriate SP.
Upgrade to SP4.
HD2 still at 128MB + another "Unallocated" 170MB. At this point, I can
see the whole drive in Disk Management but it's split.
Horsing around, I make the 128GB partition on HD2 "Active". No change.

Then, I proceed to do the same install and SP upgrades with WinXP and
have the exact same problem.

Booted with Linux, Linux won't mount the drive. Downloaded a trial of
"Partition Table Doctor 3.5" which sees the drive at full size, but
says there's no partition.

That's where I am now, running WinXP still.

Sounds like autochk ran on HD2 while Windows 2000 was not configured
for 48-bit LBA.

 

[nesredep egrob]

Might I suggest a fresh start.
Get the manufacurers diagnostic data and place that on a floppie. Boot to that
and do a test of the drive.
If that test clears the disk you need to:

Start/run/regedit
(if unsure export registry for safety)
select HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
navigate to system/services/atapi/parameters or
system/currentcontrolset/services/atapi/parameters
right click for new
Select Dword name it EnableBigLba (take note of case)
set value to 1
end regedit
reboot

Make sure you run this correctly. I have W2k SP4 and and an XP, I had trouble
with a SATA 750GB that was seen as a 128MB, despite the fact that I have two 200
GB disks working well. I had to do the LBA as above and it made the SATA change
its mind and I got some 680 GB or so available.
Follow directions, write them out or print them and you will find it will work
for you also - never had anyone come back and complain.

Borge in sunny Perth, Australia

 

[nesredep egrob]

Might I suggest a fresh start.
Get the manufacurers diagnostic data and place that on a floppie. Boot to that
and do a test of the drive.
If that test clears the disk you need to:

Start/run/regedit
(if unsure export registry for safety)
select HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
navigate to system/services/atapi/parameters or
system/currentcontrolset/services/atapi/parameters
right click for new
Select Dword name it EnableBigLba (take note of case)
set value to 1
end regedit
reboot

Make sure you run this correctly. I have W2k SP4 and and an XP, I had trouble
with a SATA 750GB that was seen as a 128MB, despite the fact that I have two 200
GB disks working well. I had to do the LBA as above and it made the SATA change
its mind and I got some 680 GB or so available.
Follow directions, write them out or print them and you will find it will work
for you also - never had anyone come back and complain.

Borge in sunny Perth, Australia

I have just been though the mill with an intermittent. Ran all night and did a
job for me - keeled over next morning - blue screen. Cooled it down and
re-started only to see that there reportedly were no disks in the computer.
Took out the system disk, a WD 320 GB and placed that in a USB box. A quick
listen showed that the disk was not spinning. A reboot made it spin and all data
was stored in another computer to be ready the the replacement.
Remember - it was intermittend - one of the horrible faults in electronics.

Borge in sunny Perth, Australia

 

[mike000777]

Sounds like autochk ran on HD2 while Windows 2000 was not configured
for 48-bit LBA.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I believe this is what happened. Anyway to "undo" it?

At this point, I think my only choice is to probably use recovery
software. Anybody know any good freeware apps? LOL