Why my 500gb hard drive showing only 127gb

[mia vai]

Hi few days ago my computer got virus and crash. Although I have Norton anti
virus software install in my computer. Anyway I fixed it by clean hard drive
and reinstall windows xp os. My computer has 2 hard drive primary 80gb and
slave drive is 500gb. Problem is when I open my computer property there is 3
hard drive, drive C, drive D, and drive E. I assume E is the slave drive,
which suppose to be 500gb now it's showing only 127 GB. I don't know what
went wrong. Somebody please help me to fix that problem. Thank you.

 

[sandy58]

Hi few days ago my computer got virus and crash. Although I have Norton anti
virus software install in my computer. Anyway I fixed it by clean hard drive
and reinstall windows xp os.  My computer has 2 hard drive primary 80gband
slave drive is 500gb.  Problem is when I open my computer property there is 3
hard drive, drive C, drive D, and drive E.  I assume E is the slave drive,
which suppose to be 500gb now it's showing only 127 GB. I don't know what
went wrong.  Somebody please help me to fix that problem. Thank you.

It looks like you have partitioned the main hard drive. What size are
C & D? Are you running in FAT32 or NTFS?

 

[John John - MVP]

Looks to me like you might have installed Windows on the second (500GB)
hard drive? Open a Command Prompt and issue the following command"

set system

What does the command return? If you are absolutely certain that you
cleanly installed Windows on the smaller 80GB drive then your Windows
version is probably the original gold version without any service pack
included, you need at least Service Pack 1 to be able to use disks
larger than 127GB (Windows reports this as 127.99GB (binary) but disk
manufacturers and others who use decimal units report it as 137GB).
Download and install Service Pack 2.

John

 

[JS]

If you want to see that 500GB drive as one
partition and some day plan to use it as your
primary partition for installing Windows then
you need to create a slipstreamed CD. You
can either use SP3 or SP2. The remaining part
of my reply is for creating that slipstreamed
CD which will come in handy if you need to
do a "Repair Install".

Creating a "Slipstreamed" version of XP
that incorporates SP3 or SP2

Try AutoStreamer, it's easy to use and for the most part
self explanatory.

Auto Streamer Guide and Download Sites:
http://www.simplyguides.net/guides/using_autostreamer/using_autostreamer.shtml
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/1092632287/1

Where to download SP3
(This file will be used in created the slipstreamed CD)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...a8-5e76-401f-be08-1e1555d4f3d4&DisplayLang=en

Create a Slip Stream version of Windows XP using SP3
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/slipstream.htm (Using AutoStreamer)
http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp3_cd_final.htm
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/xpsp3_slipstream.asp

The slipstreamed CD you create will not include any specific drivers
for your motherboard, audio, video, network, etc. Those you will
need to download from your PC manufacture's or motherboard's
web site.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Hi few days ago my computer got virus and crash.

What virus?

Although I have Norton anti
virus software install in my computer.

Norton is the *worst* anti-virus product available. You were *not*
adequately protected.

Anyway I fixed it by clean hard drive
and reinstall windows xp os.

That is almost always a very poor way to proceed if you have a virus.
Viruses can usually be removed if you do it properly with good
software.

My computer has 2 hard drive primary 80gb and
slave drive is 500gb. Problem is when I open my computer property there is 3
hard drive, drive C, drive D, and drive E.

If you ended up with more partitions than you wanted, you did the
installation improperly. Exactly how did you do it? Please describe
the steps completely.

I assume E is the slave drive,
which suppose to be 500gb now it's showing only 127 GB.

You probably installed with an old copy of Windows XP. If you don't
install with at least SP1, a drive that large won't be supported. You
need to slipstream a service pack--preferably the latest one,
SP3--onto a CD and redo the installation.

 

[Twayne]

If you want to see that 500GB drive as one
partition and some day plan to use it as your
primary partition for installing Windows then
you need to create a slipstreamed CD.

Bullsh.., there is no REQUIREMENT to create a slipstream disk. In fact,
most of them fail because there is no way to properly test them to be
certain they work without risking the entire original installation
unless a second computer for playtimes is around. A proper backup
strategy and faithfully backing up is the correct answer if one wishes
to avoid manually rebuilding a system.


You

 

[Twayne]

Careful with this advice; beware slipstreams.

What virus?




Norton is the *worst* anti-virus product available. You were *not*
adequately protected.

Completely untrue.

That is almost always a very poor way to proceed if you have a virus.
Viruses can usually be removed if you do it properly with good
software.

It's often faster to do a clean install of windows than to spend
excessive time chasing down malware, especially for an as yet
inexperienced person in those areas. What might really be missing here
is a good backup strategy.

If you ended up with more partitions than you wanted, you did the
installation improperly. Exactly how did you do it? Please describe
the steps completely.

Most likely.

You probably installed with an old copy of Windows XP. If you don't
install with at least SP1, a drive that large won't be supported. You
need to slipstream a service pack--preferably the latest one,
SP3--onto a CD and redo the installation.

Probably. But slipstreams are catastrophic failures for many new to the
process since they have no way of testing them without risking their
drives again and spending much more time. A proper back up strategy
nicely sidesteps that whole thing.

 

[Twayne]

Hi few days ago my computer got virus and crash. Although I have
Norton anti virus software install in my computer. Anyway I fixed it
by clean hard drive and reinstall windows xp os. My computer has 2
hard drive primary 80gb and slave drive is 500gb. Problem is when I
open my computer property there is 3 hard drive, drive C, drive D,
and drive E. I assume E is the slave drive, which suppose to be
500gb now it's showing only 127 GB. I don't know what went wrong.
Somebody please help me to fix that problem. Thank you.

It sounds like you made mistakes in doing the reinstall of XP.

Also, if the version of XP you installd did not have SP1 or SP2, then
127 Gig (137 Gig decimal) would be the largest a drive could be. It's
possible the install created another drive for you because of that
limitation, depending on how you answered questions during the install
process.
Also, it's possible that you installed XP to drive D instead of drive
C by mistaking "1" as the first drive when it may have been numbered
"0". If that happened, any data you had on the second physical hard
drive will have been deleted on you.

If I were you I'd try the install again and be absolutely certain you
install to the correct hard drive (the 80 Gig?). One way to be certain
would be to remove the connectors from your second physical hard drive,
leaving only one drive in the computer. That way you can ONLY install
it to the right drive.
After it's installed, then plug in the other drive and reformat it if
necessary. If you accidentally installed XP to that drive, your data is
all gone anyway so reformat it is the fastest way to get it back to
usability. I hope your data is backed up.

Start the clean install right from the beginning: Boot from the CD,
delete the partitions and recreate your system boot partition. Read the
screens carefully; they will guide you through it all.
http://www.theeldergeek.com/xp_home_install_-_graphic.htm
or
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

After you're up and running again, look into research on backup
strategies at wikipedia.com - they have a few excellent articles to
explain all the terms and phrases.
Consider imaging software instead of just backup software. The two
most popular are Norton Ghost and Acronis True Image: Both are very
capable, one costs a little more but has a few more bells & whistles &
IMO is easier to use and works a little, not a lot, faster. They're a
small investment for the peace of mind and the incredible amount of time
they'll save by your not having to do manual rebuilds again. An
external hard drive is recommended as storage medium though.
There are free imaging programs too but I haven't used them in years
so can't recommend anything specific. Perhaps others can.
Whatever backup program you use, be certain it uses VSS (volume
shadow copy) services. That's what allows it to back up the system
files (files in use).

Unless you're techinically savvy with computers you should avoid
slipstreaming. It's almost always a waste of time and more often than
not, fails when you need it the most. Plus, it's not a backup and does
not save any of your own data as imaging/backup programs do.

Anyway you look at it, external storage drives are almost necessary for
backing up so if you can only afford one thing, go in that direction for
the largest one you can afford. Up to 500 Gig is pretty cheap nowadays.
In the absence of imaging software for backing up, you always have
XP's native ntbackup.exe available. It will do a perfectly acceptable
job of backing up your operating system and data. It's fully capable
and well documented, just not as "pretty" as others nor quite as user
friendly but even a newbie can use if they read the instructions. It
will serve you fine until you can afford imaging software. You can use
the Schedule to do monthly full backups and in between incremental
backups, just like all the others do; it just takes a couple extra steps
where the others mechanize it.

HTH,

Twayne

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Few days ago my computer got virus and crash. Although I have
Norton anti virus software install in my computer. Anyway I fixed
it by clean hard drive and reinstall windows xp os. My computer
has 2 hard drive primary 80gb and slave drive is 500gb. Problem is
when I open my computer property there is 3 hard drive, drive C,
drive D, and drive E. I assume E is the slave drive, which suppose
to be 500gb now it's showing only 127 GB. I don't know what went
wrong. Somebody please help me to fix that problem. Thank you.

If you want to see that 500GB drive as one
partition and some day plan to use it as your
primary partition for installing Windows then
you need to create a slipstreamed CD. You
can either use SP3 or SP2. The remaining part
of my reply is for creating that slipstreamed
CD which will come in handy if you need to
do a "Repair Install".

Creating a "Slipstreamed" version of XP
that incorporates SP3 or SP2

Try AutoStreamer, it's easy to use and for the most part
self explanatory.

Auto Streamer Guide and Download Sites:
http://www.simplyguides.net/guides/using_autostreamer/using_autostreamer.shtml
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/1092632287/1

Where to download SP3
(This file will be used in created the slipstreamed CD)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...a8-5e76-401f-be08-1e1555d4f3d4&DisplayLang=en

Create a Slip Stream version of Windows XP using SP3
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/slipstream.htm (Using AutoStreamer)
http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp3_cd_final.htm
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/xpsp3_slipstream.asp

The slipstreamed CD you create will not include any specific drivers
for your motherboard, audio, video, network, etc. Those you will
need to download from your PC manufacture's or motherboard's
web site.

Bullsh.., there is no REQUIREMENT to create a slipstream disk. In
fact, most of them fail because there is no way to properly test
them to be certain they work without risking the entire original
installation unless a second computer for playtimes is around. A
proper backup strategy and faithfully backing up is the correct
answer if one wishes to avoid manually rebuilding a system.

My questions for the original poster (mia vai)...

- Do you have an actual unmodified (non-unattended) Windows XP
installation CD? (Not a recovery/restoration set.) What does the media
you are using to install look like/say on the lablel(s)?

- If you open Disk Management
(Start button --> RUN --> DISKMGMT.MSC --> OK)
What do you see under the "Volume", "File System", "Capacity" and "% Free"
columns?

- What version of Windows XP do you currently have installed?

Start button --> RUN (no "RUN"? Press the "Windows Key" + R on your
keyboard) --> type in:
winver
--> Click OK.

The picture at the top of the window that opens will give you the general
(Operating System name) while the line starting with the word "version" will
give you the rest of the story. Post both in response to this message
verbatim. ;-)


Twayne,

I disagree with part of your statement. That part is this,
[re: slipstream disk] "In fact, most of them fail because there is no
way to properly test them to be certain they work without risking
the entire original installation unless a second computer for
playtimes is around."

Anyone with a computer (a single computer) can test a newly
created integrated Windows XP CD at no cost (other than time)
- given said single computer is currently working - if it is not
working - then your argument falls apart anyway - given their
original installation isn't at risk - since you are not risking something
if it doesn't work already. It's done using virtual machines - and yes
- I believe it is just that simple. No second machine required. Free.

I have also seen very few failures in creating the integrated Windows
XP CDs - especially when utilizing automated tools such as nLite or
AutoStreamer (both suggestions were given, directly or indirectly.)

I also feel you neglected to add details about why there is no 'requirement'
to create an integrated Windows XP Installation CD - given the entire set
of facts in the conversations so far. Simply put - if the installer has no
need
for a larger than 127GB partition (at installation time) - then they do not
need
installation media with SP1a or greater integrated. Later installation of
said
service packs will give them the ability they may seek later.

"mia vai" decided that the best way to repair their issue was a clean
installation of Windows XP. "mia vai" obviously either did not know what
they were doing and/or they had a restoration/recovery CD/DVD set and
not a true Windows XP installation CD. This is how one could explain that
they ended up with two physical hard drives and three total partitions
that they seem confused about (meaning they did not expect that so
it is unlikely that they went through the steps carefully/properly to create
the partitions during what would be a normal setup process if they had
the actual Windows XP installation CD.)

Given the current state (fresh install, unlikely to be very far into it,
etc),
"mia vai" has a few options - but it is unclear which one would be best to
suggest at this time - given the lack of information.

- Does "mia vai" have an actual unmodified (non-unattended) Windows XP
installation CD? (Not a recovery/restoration set.)
- What service pack level (if any) is the true Windows XP installation CD
(if they have one) "mia vai" at - what service pack is integrated into it?

If "mia vai" has an actual Windows XP installation CD, it's probably *not*
SP1a or beyond. If it was (and if they did not do something strange the
first
time) they would have a partition on the 500GB drive greater than 127GB.

Given they do not know how they ended up with three partitions and it
would not be the case for any default/unmodified installation Windows XP CD
to format/repartition all drives in the system (this would all be manual) -
I would chance to say the most likely scenario is that "mia vai" has a
recovery/restoration set and use that to restore the computer. The computer
likely originally came with this set and only an 80GB hard disk drive. At
some
time after the original purchase, "mia vai" likely purchased and
installed/had
installed the 500GB secondary hard disk drive. Unfortunately - it is
possible
that those who created the restoration set made it so it just deleted and
created new partitions on every drive it saw. First physical drive - split
into
two partitions and install Windows XP. All other physical drives, delete
and
create the largest partiton plausible and format it.

Another option is that "mia vai" did this manually - just not
wisely/carefully.

Yet another option is that "mia vai" is just seeing the result of not having
yet installed Windows XP Service Pack 1a or beyond and that the installation
of the later service packs will resolve their issue and they will see the
entire drive.

In any case - your response seemingly had nothing to do with the original
posters actual question/problem or even the response you replied to's
actual intent.

JS may have made a mistake (in assuming "mia vai" wanted to use the 500GB
hard disk drive as their primary drive *and* wanted to see it as 500GB at
installation time.) However - given the mistake as fact - JS is correct
that
in order to do this without some fancy FAT32, pre-installation footwork; the
easiest way is to utilize a integrated (with SP1a or beyond) installation
media
for Windows XP.

Required? Nope. Easier? Likely, yeah.

And the only one to say "required" at that point - was you.

So how about actually helping the original poster instead of whatever
it was you were intending to do? (If it is even you and not some imposter
again...)

 

[JS]

No I just thought it was a good idea as their is
the possibility that 80GB will go south and either
the 500GB drive or a newly purchased drive will
replace the old 80GB model. A check on the web
shows you most likely will be able to get a drive larger
than 80GB for the same cost or only a few extra dollars.

Since it appears that before "mia vai" reinstalled XP
the 500GB drive was fully accessible (from the original
post as a single partition E it would appear that whatever
CD was used to reinstall XP did not included Service Pack 1.

So the user has two choices, the first I already mentioned and
as Shenan already indicated the CD may not have included SP1
so choice #2 which I did not mention is that after SP1, SP2 and
or SP3 is applied and the 500GB drive is recognized properly is
to do and Image Backup, that way "mia vai" will not be required
to start from scratch should the need arise.

--
JS
http://www.pagestart.com

Few days ago my computer got virus and crash. Although I have
Norton anti virus software install in my computer. Anyway I fixed
it by clean hard drive and reinstall windows xp os. My computer
has 2 hard drive primary 80gb and slave drive is 500gb. Problem is
when I open my computer property there is 3 hard drive, drive C,
drive D, and drive E. I assume E is the slave drive, which suppose
to be 500gb now it's showing only 127 GB. I don't know what went
wrong. Somebody please help me to fix that problem. Thank you.

If you want to see that 500GB drive as one
partition and some day plan to use it as your
primary partition for installing Windows then
you need to create a slipstreamed CD. You
can either use SP3 or SP2. The remaining part
of my reply is for creating that slipstreamed
CD which will come in handy if you need to
do a "Repair Install".

Creating a "Slipstreamed" version of XP
that incorporates SP3 or SP2

Try AutoStreamer, it's easy to use and for the most part
self explanatory.

Auto Streamer Guide and Download Sites:
http://www.simplyguides.net/guides/using_autostreamer/using_autostreamer.shtml
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/1092632287/1

Where to download SP3
(This file will be used in created the slipstreamed CD)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...a8-5e76-401f-be08-1e1555d4f3d4&DisplayLang=en

Create a Slip Stream version of Windows XP using SP3
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/slipstream.htm (Using AutoStreamer)
http://www.theeldergeek.com/slipstreamed_xpsp3_cd_final.htm
http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/xpsp3_slipstream.asp

The slipstreamed CD you create will not include any specific drivers
for your motherboard, audio, video, network, etc. Those you will
need to download from your PC manufacture's or motherboard's
web site.

Bullsh.., there is no REQUIREMENT to create a slipstream disk. In
fact, most of them fail because there is no way to properly test
them to be certain they work without risking the entire original
installation unless a second computer for playtimes is around. A
proper backup strategy and faithfully backing up is the correct
answer if one wishes to avoid manually rebuilding a system.

My questions for the original poster (mia vai)...

- Do you have an actual unmodified (non-unattended) Windows XP
installation CD? (Not a recovery/restoration set.) What does the media
you are using to install look like/say on the lablel(s)?

- If you open Disk Management
(Start button --> RUN --> DISKMGMT.MSC --> OK)
What do you see under the "Volume", "File System", "Capacity" and "%
Free"
columns?

- What version of Windows XP do you currently have installed?

Start button --> RUN (no "RUN"? Press the "Windows Key" + R on your
keyboard) --> type in:
winver
--> Click OK.

The picture at the top of the window that opens will give you the general
(Operating System name) while the line starting with the word "version"
will
give you the rest of the story. Post both in response to this message
verbatim. ;-)


Twayne,

I disagree with part of your statement. That part is this,
[re: slipstream disk] "In fact, most of them fail because there is no
way to properly test them to be certain they work without risking
the entire original installation unless a second computer for
playtimes is around."

Anyone with a computer (a single computer) can test a newly
created integrated Windows XP CD at no cost (other than time)
- given said single computer is currently working - if it is not
working - then your argument falls apart anyway - given their
original installation isn't at risk - since you are not risking something
if it doesn't work already. It's done using virtual machines - and yes
- I believe it is just that simple. No second machine required. Free.

I have also seen very few failures in creating the integrated Windows
XP CDs - especially when utilizing automated tools such as nLite or
AutoStreamer (both suggestions were given, directly or indirectly.)

I also feel you neglected to add details about why there is no
'requirement'
to create an integrated Windows XP Installation CD - given the entire set
of facts in the conversations so far. Simply put - if the installer has
no need
for a larger than 127GB partition (at installation time) - then they do
not need
installation media with SP1a or greater integrated. Later installation of
said
service packs will give them the ability they may seek later.

"mia vai" decided that the best way to repair their issue was a clean
installation of Windows XP. "mia vai" obviously either did not know what
they were doing and/or they had a restoration/recovery CD/DVD set and
not a true Windows XP installation CD. This is how one could explain that
they ended up with two physical hard drives and three total partitions
that they seem confused about (meaning they did not expect that so
it is unlikely that they went through the steps carefully/properly to
create
the partitions during what would be a normal setup process if they had
the actual Windows XP installation CD.)

Given the current state (fresh install, unlikely to be very far into it,
etc),
"mia vai" has a few options - but it is unclear which one would be best to
suggest at this time - given the lack of information.

- Does "mia vai" have an actual unmodified (non-unattended) Windows XP
installation CD? (Not a recovery/restoration set.)
- What service pack level (if any) is the true Windows XP installation CD
(if they have one) "mia vai" at - what service pack is integrated into it?

If "mia vai" has an actual Windows XP installation CD, it's probably *not*
SP1a or beyond. If it was (and if they did not do something strange the
first
time) they would have a partition on the 500GB drive greater than 127GB.

Given they do not know how they ended up with three partitions and it
would not be the case for any default/unmodified installation Windows XP
CD
to format/repartition all drives in the system (this would all be
manual) -
I would chance to say the most likely scenario is that "mia vai" has a
recovery/restoration set and use that to restore the computer. The
computer
likely originally came with this set and only an 80GB hard disk drive. At
some
time after the original purchase, "mia vai" likely purchased and
installed/had
installed the 500GB secondary hard disk drive. Unfortunately - it is
possible
that those who created the restoration set made it so it just deleted and
created new partitions on every drive it saw. First physical drive -
split into
two partitions and install Windows XP. All other physical drives, delete
and
create the largest partiton plausible and format it.

Another option is that "mia vai" did this manually - just not
wisely/carefully.

Yet another option is that "mia vai" is just seeing the result of not
having
yet installed Windows XP Service Pack 1a or beyond and that the
installation
of the later service packs will resolve their issue and they will see the
entire drive.

In any case - your response seemingly had nothing to do with the original
posters actual question/problem or even the response you replied to's
actual intent.

JS may have made a mistake (in assuming "mia vai" wanted to use the 500GB
hard disk drive as their primary drive *and* wanted to see it as 500GB at
installation time.) However - given the mistake as fact - JS is correct
that
in order to do this without some fancy FAT32, pre-installation footwork;
the
easiest way is to utilize a integrated (with SP1a or beyond) installation
media
for Windows XP.

Required? Nope. Easier? Likely, yeah.

And the only one to say "required" at that point - was you.

So how about actually helping the original poster instead of whatever
it was you were intending to do? (If it is even you and not some imposter
again...)

 

[JS]

You must have a bad burner!

 

[DL]

Slipstream has allways worked for me, on various systems

 

[John John - MVP]

Same here. The only thing about them is that homemade cds are not as
though as factory cds, they tend to not last all that long. But that
has nothing to do with slipstreaming, its just a fact of life with
homemade burned cds.

John

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Slipstream has allways worked for me, on various systems

And the same for me. Twayne's warning is completely inappropriate.

By the way, the word "slipstreaming" was originally used to refer to
the practice of many software manufacturers of including updates to
their product on the distribution CD without any real announcement of
what they were doing or differentiation of the various kind of CDs. It
was always a disparaging term because it was poor practice. It was
used as a way for the manufacturer not to have to print a different
box, manual, etc. for the updated version, and to sell older stock
that didn't appear to be outdated, but actually was. That saved them
money, but it left the customer unable to tell whether he was buying
the new version or the old.

Somewhere along the line, people started creating their own updated
versions of some software, by merging the update files with the
original CD. Someone got the bright idea to call it by the same name
"slipstreaming," without realizing that the name was originally used
in a disparaging way.

The term stuck. I dislike the use of the word this way, but the
original meaning has been lost, so I long ago gave up trying to fight
it. Since everybody now uses it simply to mean a version with the
upgrade incorporated in it, I reluctantly go along.

So these days a slipstreamed copy of XP simply means an installation
CD that you've made yourself that incorporates an upgrade, such as
SP2.

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Slipstream has allways worked for me, on various systems

They've failed for me a few times, but the failure has always occurred
during the slipstream process itself.

Specifically, the failures occurred because some OEM's (in my case Dell)
included other updates to the install, and the slipstream process could not
cope and gave up. It's my understanding that Dell has since modified
their approach and their CDs can be slipstreamed.

But if the slipstreaming process completed without error, the disk worked
perfectly.

 

[Twayne]

Same here. The only thing about them is that homemade cds are not as
though as factory cds, they tend to not last all that long. But that
has nothing to do with slipstreaming, its just a fact of life with
homemade burned cds.

That's not only silly it's patently untrue. CDs do not "degrade" as you
imply. If you have CDs that seem to degrade, there is someting else at
work; once burned, they're physically "set". You could have misaligned
heads where it might not work in another drive, but that's about all.

Twayne`

 

[Twayne]

No I just thought it was a good idea as their is
the possibility that 80GB will go south and either
the 500GB drive or a newly purchased drive will
replace the old 80GB model. A check on the web
shows you most likely will be able to get a drive larger
than 80GB for the same cost or only a few extra dollars.

Since it appears that before "mia vai" reinstalled XP
the 500GB drive was fully accessible (from the original
post as a single partition E it would appear that whatever
CD was used to reinstall XP did not included Service Pack 1.

So the user has two choices, the first I already mentioned and
as Shenan already indicated the CD may not have included SP1
so choice #2 which I did not mention is that after SP1, SP2 and
or SP3 is applied and the 500GB drive is recognized properly is
to do and Image Backup, that way "mia vai" will not be required
to start from scratch should the need arise.

....

That is good advice that will work out well for the OP.

Twayne`

 

[John John - MVP]

That's not only silly it's patently untrue. CDs do not "degrade" as you
imply. If you have CDs that seem to degrade, there is someting else at
work; once burned, they're physically "set". You could have misaligned
heads where it might not work in another drive, but that's about all.

Home made burned cds are getting better but for most part they just
don't last as long as factory pressed cds, that is a fact, just because
you don't know the difference doesn't make it untrue. The quality and
durability of the homemade cd will depend on the quality of the media as
well as the quality of the burner used to make them. Factory cd aren't
burned, they're pressed. Leave a homemade cd and a factory cd exposed
to the sun then find out for yourself which one lasts longer. Use
factory music cds and homemade music cds in your car then find out for
yourself which one starts to skip first, find out for yourself which one
fails first. I'm sure that you probably think that factory cds are
burned like homemade ones... you don't know the difference between the
two of them.

John

 

[JS]

Twayne,

CD media quality and burners can make a big difference
in how long the media last. Sunlight and humidity can make
short work on cheap media.

As John John mentioned factory CDs are pressed so I would
expect them to last longer, but that doesn't mean you can't get
a bad CD fresh from the factory as I recently experienced and
confirmed with the vendor's tech support.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Same here. The only thing about them is that homemade cds are not
as though as factory cds, they tend to not last all that long. But that
has nothing to do with slipstreaming, its just a fact of
life with homemade burned cds.

<snipped>

That's not only silly it's patently untrue. CDs do not "degrade"
as you imply. If you have CDs that seem to degrade, there is
someting else at work; once burned, they're physically "set". You
could have misaligned heads where it might not work in another
drive, but that's about all.

http://forums.cnet.com/5208-10149_102-0.html?threadID=152618

I would say a CD-R/RW copied from the original and left in the same
conditions (perhaps stored in a carrier, never used but perhaps carried
around in heated cars, sunlight hitting the carrier, etc) would sho that the
CD-R/RW is more vulnerable to the temperature changes, sunlight effects, etc
than the original (pressed) CD based off experience.

http://www.imation-southasia.com/mediacaretips.html