[Ham-Computers] RE: HD Problems.

[Hsu, Aaron (NBC Universal)]

Kurt,

The original FDISK.EXE app that shipped with Win98 had a bug that prevented it from correctly recognizing drive sizes over 64GB.  However, I'm pretty sure I ran into similar problems at 32GB.  Try downloading the FDISK.EXE update from Microsoft:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/263044

After updating FDISK, the first thing I would do is remove all partitions on the drive, reboot, and attempt to re-create a single full-span partition.

It's still entirely possible that you have a BIOS related issue that's "wrapping" the capacity count (40GB - 32GB = 8GB, the amount being reported).  If you have a different computer you can install the drive in, try partitioning it on that system.

And, as mentioned earlier, you could try a partitioning program.  Along the same lines, you could try booting from a "Live" Linux CD and partition the drive from there.  Was the new drive a "boxed" drive or an "OEM" drive?  If "boxed", it might have come with partitioning software.

And, no, Win98 doesn't have a death grip on the drive...it's just a matter of ancient technology at work with more modern equipment <g>.

73,

  - Aaron, NN6O


-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, October 18, 2007 3:11 PM
Subject: Re: [Ham-Computers] RE: HD Problems.

I went to Asus website and found a BIOS update utility.  Ther version I was
running clamied to fix many problems including not reading drives over 32
GB.

I installed a newer BIOS revision, and the computer still won'r read the
entire 40GB.

WHen I first put in the drive, Windows 98SE wanted to format the drive.  In
a drop down menu, the only size available was 8,063.5GB and that is what it
formatted to.  WHen I run format through DOS, it tells me it is verifying
8,063.5GB.

Is it possible that Windows 98SE has some sort of death grip on the HD?

How would I turn the HD back into a dumb box like when I first put it in,
then see if the BIOS will allow LBA and the full 40 GB?  Is there some sort
of HD stripping utility available?

Kurt