Question HDD capacity limit with Windows Vista 64-bit ?

[braxus]

I bought a 8TB hard drive (SATA) to use in my Vista 64 bit computer. Now I thought Vista 64 allowed bigger drives than 1 or 2 TB. But I wasn't able to format the drive in this computer, so I did it in my modern day computer. When I install the 8TB back in the Vista 64 system, it reads the drive, but wont actually access the files on it. It gives a I/O error while freezing up. Does this mean there is still technically a hard drive limit with Vista 64? What is the max I can safely use- 1TB or 2TB?

 

[hedwar2011]

Vista doesn't have a HDD capacity limit as it allows for NTFS. It may be a limitation of the BIOS on the computer and the differences between MBR and GPT constraints.

Take a look at this Q&A as it might shed some light on your situation:

Windows and GPT FAQ

Frequently asked questions about Windows and GPT.

learn.microsoft.com

 

[Math Geek]

MBR limits to 2 TB partitions and 4 partitions to a single physical disk.

you'll need GPT to use the full drive space in a single partition.

i don't recall if Vista allowed GPT or not, maybe the above linked FAQ has that answer. if not i bet a quick search of the intertubes would yield that answer

 

[hedwar2011]

Can Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008, and later read, write, and boot from GPT disks​

Yes, all versions can use GPT partitioned disks for data. Booting is only supported for 64-bit editions on UEFI-based systems.

This is from that page 😉

 

[braxus]

Yet I tried both an 8TB hard drive and also a 2TB SSD, and both failed on second boot attempt, that the computer couldnt work the drives. The SSD wouldnt even be read in the bios on second attempt. Setting to GPT on the 8TB made no difference. I use Vista Home 64 bit and I seem to remember seeing with Home, there is a limit. Funny thing is even 2TB is too big. The motherboard is dated 2006.

 

[hedwar2011]

Yet I tried both an 8TB hard drive and also a 2TB SSD, and both failed on second boot attempt, that the computer couldnt work the drives. The SSD wouldnt even be read in the bios on second attempt. Setting to GPT on the 8TB made no difference. I use Vista Home 64 bit and I seem to remember seeing with Home, there is a limit. Funny thing is even 2TB is too big. The motherboard is dated 2006.

It could be two-fold at this point:
1) The BIOS isn't a UEFI BIOS so it may not be interpreting the formatting correctly.
2) You're hitting the 2Tb limit in both instances.
3) Vista is supported but for data only and I'm betting that is a stretch.
4) Install Windows 7 over the top of Vista and see if it does any better.

 

[braxus]

Im keeping Vista on this computer to be completely compatible with my Mini DV cameras. They connected to this same setup back in 2006. I dont have Windows 7, but 8, and that is too new for my taste on this computer. Im trying to keep this system time specific. I ended up returning all the HDs I had, and now have a 1TB coming.

 

[braxus]

So I tried a 1TB SSD for the second drive. I have a 480GB SSD for the Windows drive. The 1TB drive failed just like all the previous ones. It doesn't even show up in the bios. Now I know something is haywire in this system. I had a 500GB mechanical drive initially set up at first, which did work. Now no matter what larger drive I connect, something burns out the drive keeping it from reading in the bios.