Thread: Installed New 500GB HD....Got a problem.

Guys, I don't know if anyone can help me, but I figured that if there was anyone that could that they would probably be with TTP. So here is the issue. I just bought and installed a new 500 GB ATA100 HD in my machine, but my machine only recognizes 137 GB of the drive space. I know that the whole problem is the age of my machine and I have been gradually upgrading over the last several years to keep her up to speed. Now, I know the easy answer is to go out and buy a new computer, but this one is really working great and can do everything that I ask it to and more. Its not a uber-gaming machine but here are the specs.
CPU= 2.26 GB P-4 with Windows XP Home Edition OS
HD= 1-500 GB ATA100 @ 7200 RPM + 1-80 GB ATA100 @ 7200 RPM Slaved
RAM= 1.25 GB PC800 RD RAM
Graphics= NVIDIA 6200 256MB AGP Card
Other stuff…..blah blah blah….not important.

I know that I have to install an Ultra ATA/SATA PCI Card to get my moneys worth out of the HD, but what I would like to know from one of our experts here at TTP is that if I install the Ulta ATA/SATA PCI card will I have to reformat it and re-copy my old HD in order to get access to all 500 GBs? Any suggestions, advice, pity, maniacal laughter? Thanks. -Yvain

it is strange that it recognizes the device but not all of it. start small though, update to the newest driver, and if that doesnt work, I would suggest installing it again.

Yvain,

What motherboard and BIOS version do you have? I can do some research for ya.

Originally Posted by [EK

Sir-Yvain ]
what I would like to know from one of our experts here at TTP is that if I install the Ulta ATA/SATA PCI card will I have to reformat it and re-copy my old HD in order to get access to all 500 GBs?

You will have to reformat if you want all 500GB to be under the same drive letter. Otherwise you will have a 130GB drive under one letter and the other 370GB under a second drive letter.

Originally Posted by sacredsarcasm

it is strange that it recognizes the device but not all of it. start small though, update to the newest driver, and if that doesnt work, I would suggest installing it again.

I thought so also Sacred, I looked it up and due to the age of my machine (ie...when I had it built (7 years ago!!!) 80GB HDs were the newest and largest out there) it will only recognize 137 GBs of any HD over that size. Bummer. Thanks for offering to help though.

Originally Posted by ebaconjr

Yvain,

What motherboard and BIOS version do you have? I can do some research for ya.

Thanks for the offer Bacon. Here ya go.

Motherboard = Lexington 2
BIOS Version= MV85010A

Yvain,

Your BIOS is up to date, so the only suggestion I have is to verify that the BIOS setting is correct for the hard drive, i.e. enable LBA. If you have already done that then you will need an ATA card as you mentioned. Luckily they are pretty cheap - below is a link to one.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...0704&CatId=109

Originally Posted by ebaconjr

Yvain,

Your BIOS is up to date, so the only suggestion I have is to verify that the BIOS setting is correct for the hard drive, i.e. enable LBA. If you have already done that then you will need an ATA card as you mentioned. Luckily they are pretty cheap - below is a link to one.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...0704&CatId=109

LBA is enabled to the LBC Dog. I'm startin' to fizzle on this shizzle.
lol.
Thanks for the link Bacon. I just found one on E-bay. New, unopened for $19.00. Just bought it. Thanks for all the help.

Originally Posted by HeavyG

Do you have Windows XP with Service Pack 2? I had the same problem when I had my old XP Home Edition when trying to install my 200GB hard drive. I got XP Professional Edition w/ integrated SP2 and all of the sudden it recognized the full 200GB.

Don't really know what else to tell you here.

Thanks for the advice HeavyG. I do have SP2 installed. From what I have found on-line this is a common problem with larger drives and that the ATA/SATA PCI card solves the problem. Thanks again. -Yvain

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