large hard drive questions

[djc]

I just picked up a 250 GB hard drive that is to go into a used computer
(about 3 years old I think). I have not opened it yet. I recall from when I
dealt with pc hardware some years ago that there were limits as to how large
of a hard drive your hardware and operating system could support. I recall
the old 2GB fat partition limit, then I beleive there was something at 8GB,
and then some higher ones... 127GB maybe? don't know for sure. Thats the
reason for the post.

I want to use this 250 GB EIDE (ATA 133) hd as the only drive in this used
computer.

1) what are the chances of a 3 year old BIOS supporting this drive?
2) how large of a drive will windows xp sp2 with NTFS support?
2a) how about the largest single partition size supported by xp sp2 with
NTFS?

I was planning on creating to partitions. One about 40 GB for the operating
system and the other 210GB for a video app that requires lots of storage.

any input would be greatly appreciated. I'm real out of date when it comes
to this stuff and I don't have time to google today... (and when I do I will
probably get wrapped up in all the things I missed and I really don't have
time to do that right now! hehe)

 

[Ted Zieglar]

In order for Windows XP to recognize hard disk storage beyond 137GB you
must have the following:
1. 48-bit LBA-compatible BIOS; and
2. Windows XP SP1. [Note that SP 2 includes SP 1]

To obtain an updated BIOS, visit the website of your computer manufacturer.

To obtain SP1, visit the Microsoft website, or Windows Update (for SP 2).

 

[JS]

Your chances are about 50/50.
There is a utility named HD Tune which may help: http://www.hdtune.com/
validate 48Bit LBA support.

JS

 

[djc]

ok. Thanks.

Your chances are about 50/50.
There is a utility named HD Tune which may help: http://www.hdtune.com/
validate 48Bit LBA support.

JS

 

[djc]

ok. Thanks.

In order for Windows XP to recognize hard disk storage beyond 137GB you
must have the following:
1. 48-bit LBA-compatible BIOS; and
2. Windows XP SP1. [Note that SP 2 includes SP 1]

To obtain an updated BIOS, visit the website of your computer
manufacturer.

To obtain SP1, visit the Microsoft website, or Windows Update (for SP 2).
---
Ted Zieglar
"Backup is a computer user's best friend."

I just picked up a 250 GB hard drive that is to go into a used computer
(about 3 years old I think). I have not opened it yet. I recall from when
I dealt with pc hardware some years ago that there were limits as to how
large of a hard drive your hardware and operating system could support. I
recall the old 2GB fat partition limit, then I beleive there was
something at 8GB, and then some higher ones... 127GB maybe? don't know
for sure. Thats the reason for the post.

I want to use this 250 GB EIDE (ATA 133) hd as the only drive in this
used computer.

1) what are the chances of a 3 year old BIOS supporting this drive?
2) how large of a drive will windows xp sp2 with NTFS support?
2a) how about the largest single partition size supported by xp sp2 with
NTFS?

I was planning on creating to partitions. One about 40 GB for the
operating system and the other 210GB for a video app that requires lots
of storage.

any input would be greatly appreciated. I'm real out of date when it
comes to this stuff and I don't have time to google today... (and when I
do I will probably get wrapped up in all the things I missed and I
really don't have time to do that right now! hehe)

 

[paulmd]

I just picked up a 250 GB hard drive that is to go into a used computer
(about 3 years old I think). I have not opened it yet. I recall from when I
dealt with pc hardware some years ago that there were limits as to how large
of a hard drive your hardware and operating system could support. I recall
the old 2GB fat partition limit, then I beleive there was something at 8GB,
and then some higher ones... 127GB maybe? don't know for sure. Thats the
reason for the post.

I want to use this 250 GB EIDE (ATA 133) hd as the only drive in this used
computer.

1) what are the chances of a 3 year old BIOS supporting this drive?

Good. Even many older BIOSes will, if you update them. And there are
always ultra133 controller cards to overcome limits like this.

2) how large of a drive will windows xp sp2 with NTFS support?

It's in the terabyte range. Is sp2 integrated with this disk? Or not?
If it doesn't come with at least SP1, you'll have to slipstream the
disk if you want 1 big partition.

2a) how about the largest single partition size supported by xp sp2 with
NTFS?

It's in the terabyte range.

I was planning on creating to partitions. One about 40 GB for the operating
system and the other 210GB for a video app that requires lots of storage.

Should be fine.

 

[djc]

see inline:

Good. Even many older BIOSes will, if you update them. And there are
always ultra133 controller cards to overcome limits like this.


It's in the terabyte range. Is sp2 integrated with this disk? Or not?
If it doesn't come with at least SP1, you'll have to slipstream the
disk if you want 1 big partition.

I'm looking at the IBM website for a bios update right now. Will I have to
use an sp2 slipstreamed disk if I want to initially install just OS on a 40
GB partition and then after applying sp2 create the large second partition?
or will a slipstreamed sp2 disk be required to even run the setup on this
250GB drive at all?

 

[paulmd]

see inline:



I'm looking at the IBM website for a bios update right now. Will I have to
use an sp2 slipstreamed disk if I want to initially install just OS on a 40
GB partition and then after applying sp2 create the large second partition?

You can do that. there is a registry edit that goes with this
procedure.

read here:

http://www.seagate.com/support/kb/disc/tp/137gb.pdf#search="137GB limit xp support.microsoft.com"

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;303013

 

[djc]

thanks. I appreciate it.

You can do that. there is a registry edit that goes with this
procedure.

read here:

http://www.seagate.com/support/kb/disc/tp/137gb.pdf#search="137GB limit xp support.microsoft.com"

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;303013

 

[Bullwinkle]

I've read the replies you got here today. And I will give you my situation:
My computer is 4 years old. The BIOS is dated 2000. I ron XP Sp2 and I just
recently added a 300 gig HDD running off a USB line. I also have a 250
gig HDD also on the USB line. Inside the case I have the original 40 gig and
a slave 120 gig drive.

I have no special drivers. They are all recognized without any difficulty.

Go for it.

Regards,

 

[djc]

good to know. Thank you.

I've read the replies you got here today. And I will give you my
situation: My computer is 4 years old. The BIOS is dated 2000. I ron XP
Sp2 and I just recently added a 300 gig HDD running off a USB line. I also
have a 250
gig HDD also on the USB line. Inside the case I have the original 40 gig
and a slave 120 gig drive.

I have no special drivers. They are all recognized without any difficulty.

Go for it.

Regards,