Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware (
More info?)
"BAR" <BAR@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:B4EC97AB-1FA4-4B67-B5B6-16ED7C147A48@microsoft.com...
> Why use a third party application to solve a basic hardware issue? Not a
> recommended proceedure.
>
> Always check BIOS compatibility. If BIOS is happy, then Windows will use
> the hardware correctly. Plain and Simple.
>
> No need to overcomplicate.
>
>
>
> "Thomas Wendell" wrote:
>
> > Well, in this case it is not a overlay program, it just makes the needed
> > registry settings for LBA
> >
> > "Maxtor's Big Drive Enabler is a one step executable that enables
support
> > for drives larger than 137 Gigabytes in Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 and
XP
> > Service Pack 1. This utility takes the guess work out of editing the
Windows
> > registry. The Big Drive Enabler fixes an operating system limitation.
This
> > utility is needed anytime a Hard Disk Drive larger than 137 GB is
connected
> > to the motherboard's ATA bus, regardless of any system BIOS that
supports
> > 48-bit LBA."
> >
> >
> > --
> > Tumppi
> > Reply to group
> > =================================================
> > Most learned on nntp://news.mircosoft.com
> > Helsinki, Finland (remove _NOSPAM)
> > (translations from FI/SE not always accurate)
> > =================================================
> >
> >
> >
> > "Anna" <myname@myisp.net> kirjoitti viestissä
> > news:%23hfDP1LOFHA.1948@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
> > >
> > > >
> > > > "John Parry" <JohnParry@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> > > > news:9DDA472B-8CEC-4251-A1DF-ED59C389BF1F@microsoft.com...
> > > >>I have just installed a new 200GB hard drive and Windows XP Pro
keeps
> > > >>telling
> > > >> me that it is only 127Gb in size!
> > > >> When I enter Setup on booting that tells me it is a 207GB drive,
why
> > does
> > > >> Windows tell me it is only 127GB and how do I get around this?
> > > >> I hope someone can help me with this problem, Thanks
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > "bud" <budman@nomail.com> wrote in message
> > > news:O6NsDRJOFHA.2144@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> > > > Download and run big drive enabler from maxtor. That should fix it.
You
> > > > can get it here,
> > > >
http://tinyurl.com/4fl2r
> > >
> > >
> > > First of all, John's former problem is moot, since in a later posting
he
> > > reports that he was able to update his motherboard's BIOS in order to
> > > achieve large-capacity disk capability.
> > >
> > > However, for others experiencing a similar problem involving the OS
not
> > > recognizing large-capacity HDs, i.e., disks > 137 GB, I would strongly
> > > advise *against" bud's recommendation to use the so-called Big Drive
> > Enabler
> > > from Maxtor. This "drive overlay" program and similar ones from other
> > > third-party sources make proprietary and non-standard modifications to
the
> > > MBR of one's HD, and nearly always seem to cause future problems.
While in
> > > the distant past these type of programs were "last resort" measures to
be
> > > used when the OS did not recognize the full capacity of the HD, they
are
> > no
> > > longer needed with modern OSs such as XP, and indeed are
mischief-makers
> > as
> > > any computer repair technician will tell you. My advice is to avoid
them.
> > >
> > > As I stated in a previous posting re this issue, there are two basic
> > > requirements for XP to recognize the full capacity of a HD, i.e.,
disks >
> > > 137 GB:
> > > 1. The motherboard's BIOS recognizes large-capacity disks; and,
> > > 2. XP includes SP1 and/or SP2.
> > >
> > > If the motherboard's BIOS does not recognize large-capacity disks,
> > determine
> > > if a BIOS upgrade is available to do so. If no BIOS upgrade is
available
> > to
> > > achieve this capability, then purchase a controller card such as the
> > Promise
> > > Ultra 133 TX2. Relatively cheap and simple to install.
> > > Anna
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> >
To all:
BAR: Sorry, not correct, one needs the registry key to enable 48bit LBA or
let Maxtor's
BigDriveEnabler fix the registry for you. Plain and Simple.
Anna: Maxtor's BigDriveEnabler is just a registry fix tool, not a drive
overlay (PowerMax is).
Summary and fixes of all 137GB+ issues (afaik) :
1. Does BIOS support 137GB+ drives? Check by Auto Detecting drive.
If just 137GB (128 GB bin.), apply suitable BIOS update if available.
If NO BIOS update available BUT Intel Chipset present, install Intel's
latest IAA-drivers.
(they support 137GB+ natively).
If NO BIOS update available and NO Intel chipset present BUT onboard
Promise/Highpoint/ITE/... controller present, hook 200GB to that
controller (booting
from this drive requires driver floppy after pressing F6 during early
Win2K/XP install).
If NO BIOS update, NO Intel Chipset, NO onboard controllers, buy a
Promise/Highpoint/ITE/...
PCI harddisk controller card (usually support 137GB+ but check first).
2. WinXP + SP1 (or better) is required to get 200GB fully accessible.
3. When intending to boot from this drive keep 1st partition smaller than
137GB.
4. Run Maxtor's BigDriveEnabler.
5. To avoid:
- Data corruption after entering Standby or Hybernation mode
- Data corruption after memory dump due to serious Windows Failure
- Reboot instead of resuming from hybernation mode.
read MS KB article 331958 and follow instructions.
Note: not sure wether SP2 takes care of steps 3-4-5 but they can't hurt.
This should be all.
John7