137 GB HD Question

johnnymk · 10-12-2003, 06:23 AM

I am not sure if my motherboard supports hard drives larger than 137 GB. I am considering a 200 GB hard drive. If I partition it before copying it from a 120 GB hard drive and make it 120 GB and 80 GB, will it matter if it doesn't?
This may have been answered before.

bachviet · 10-12-2003, 11:48 AM

I don't think the OS has any problem seeing it if you partition it ahead. Your BIOS might just show it's a 137GB hard drive though.

ribitch · 10-12-2003, 12:51 PM

the problem is with the IDE controller and the bit addressing. Most new large drives ship with a PCI card that corrects this problem. To get this card, you need to purchase a retail drive though.

Most firewire enclosures also eliminate this problem. It may be the same with a USB enclosure as well.

Devhux · 10-12-2003, 01:40 PM

I was about to buy an OEM 160GB hard drive -- are you implying that I might not be able to see the whole drive if it's plugged into my ABit IT7 MAX mainboard? (i845E chipset).

This was the first I had heard about the 137GB limitation, so I guess I'd better find out the info before purchasing the drive.

Joshua · 10-12-2003, 03:17 PM

Link to WD knowledgebase article

What issues should I be concerned with when using a drive larger than 137GB (128GB binary)?

Question
I am considering buying an EIDE drive larger than 137GB. What issues should I be concerned with when using a drive over 137GB (128GB binary)?

Answer
General Information
Whether or not a given system can support 48-bit addressing (drives over 137GB) is dependent upon several factors. The operating system must support the higher capacities. Windows 98 and higher will support the drives with the proper BIOS, EIDE controller, and driver support. However, since motherboards and BIOSs vary widely, the answer is not as simple as making sure your operating system will support the drive.
Systems which do not support the full capacity of these drives, will generally report the capacity only up to the 137 GB limit. Any capacity above this limit will neither be recognized nor displayed. If your system is capable of supporting the full capacity of your drive, it should be properly displayed in either the CMOS set-up or during Power On Self Test (POST) prior to booting.

The motherboard BIOS, the EIDE controller, and the EIDE controller drivers you are using within your operating system must support the drives as well. It is best to contact your motherboard manufacturer to determine if your motherboard, BIOS, and EIDE controller drivers support drives over 137GB.

Another possibility is the use of an add-on EIDE controller that supports 48-bit addressing. We sell PCI EIDE controllers made by our Technology Partner, Promise Technology, on our Online Store.

Recommendations
Once the hardware limit has been overcome by using an updated BIOS or a controller card, then specific drivers must be loaded so that your version of Windows will allow for the safe use of any capacity above 137GB. Without these specific drivers, there is a definite possibility of data loss. The Data Lifeguard Tools version 10.0, in conjunction with the Promise Ultra 100 TX2 controller, and the proper drivers for the card, will allow Windows 98 Second Edition and above to utilize this space properly.

If you will be using Data Lifeguard Tools 10 to copy data from an old drive to a new (larger than 137GB) drive, assure that each drive is attached to the same Ultra ATA 100 controller card. Otherwise, you will not be able to copy the data successfully. If your system BIOS supports the drive and you are not using a controller card, both drives may be connected to the motherboard.

Common Issues
There is some risk to your data if you use a drive that is larger than 137GB and your system does not support it properly. Once the operating system has used all the bits that it does support to access the drive, it may begin writing over data that already exists at the beginning of the drive. If the operating system files are overwritten, the operating system is rendered unbootable and inaccessible. Drivers or Service Packs for the operating system are necessary to overcome this issue.

It is important to realize that the reported capacity of a large drive may often appear as less than expected. Please remember that, depending on the particular utility used, the capacity of the hard drive can be reported in either decimal gigabytes (where 1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes) or in binary gigabytes (where 1 GB = 1,073,741,824 bytes). Highlighting your C: drive in Windows Explorer reports the drive capacity in binary gigabytes. For example, a WD2000BB hard drive’s capacity will be reported as approximately 186 binary gigabytes. For more details about this issue, please see Answer ID 615.

Devhux · 10-12-2003, 06:12 PM

Hmm, I really don't want to have to load a seperate utility just because I have a 160GB hard drive or so. Guess I'll just settle for 2 x 120GB drives and RAID them (if I RAID at all, that is).

johnnymk · 10-12-2003, 07:23 PM

Sounds a little risky. What do you think? I have Windows 98SE. If I get the controller card and also partition the drive, would it be worth the gamble?

bachviet · 10-12-2003, 10:39 PM

You should be fine with a controller card. I run two Maxtor 160GB hard drives with a controller in my Dell Dimension 4550. My Dell actually recognizes the hard drives but I want all my drives on seperate channels (4).

Joshua · 10-13-2003, 12:04 AM

If you're using the controller card and the drivers that come with it you'll be fine. I wouldn't consider it to be much of a risk.

Quote:

Originally posted by johnnymk
Sounds a little risky. What do you think? I have Windows 98SE. If I get the controller card and also partition the drive, would it be worth the gamble?

10-12-2003, 06:23 AM	#1
johnnymk Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: May 2000 Location: LEVITTOWN< PA> USA Posts: 13,621	137 GB HD Question I am not sure if my motherboard supports hard drives larger than 137 GB. I am considering a 200 GB hard drive. If I partition it before copying it from a 120 GB hard drive and make it 120 GB and 80 GB, will it matter if it doesn't? This may have been answered before.

10-12-2003, 03:17 PM	#5
Joshua Rear Admiral Upper Half Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 3,390	Link to WD knowledgebase article What issues should I be concerned with when using a drive larger than 137GB (128GB binary)? Question I am considering buying an EIDE drive larger than 137GB. What issues should I be concerned with when using a drive over 137GB (128GB binary)? Answer General Information Whether or not a given system can support 48-bit addressing (drives over 137GB) is dependent upon several factors. The operating system must support the higher capacities. Windows 98 and higher will support the drives with the proper BIOS, EIDE controller, and driver support. However, since motherboards and BIOSs vary widely, the answer is not as simple as making sure your operating system will support the drive. Systems which do not support the full capacity of these drives, will generally report the capacity only up to the 137 GB limit. Any capacity above this limit will neither be recognized nor displayed. If your system is capable of supporting the full capacity of your drive, it should be properly displayed in either the CMOS set-up or during Power On Self Test (POST) prior to booting. The motherboard BIOS, the EIDE controller, and the EIDE controller drivers you are using within your operating system must support the drives as well. It is best to contact your motherboard manufacturer to determine if your motherboard, BIOS, and EIDE controller drivers support drives over 137GB. Another possibility is the use of an add-on EIDE controller that supports 48-bit addressing. We sell PCI EIDE controllers made by our Technology Partner, Promise Technology, on our Online Store. Recommendations Once the hardware limit has been overcome by using an updated BIOS or a controller card, then specific drivers must be loaded so that your version of Windows will allow for the safe use of any capacity above 137GB. Without these specific drivers, there is a definite possibility of data loss. The Data Lifeguard Tools version 10.0, in conjunction with the Promise Ultra 100 TX2 controller, and the proper drivers for the card, will allow Windows 98 Second Edition and above to utilize this space properly. If you will be using Data Lifeguard Tools 10 to copy data from an old drive to a new (larger than 137GB) drive, assure that each drive is attached to the same Ultra ATA 100 controller card. Otherwise, you will not be able to copy the data successfully. If your system BIOS supports the drive and you are not using a controller card, both drives may be connected to the motherboard. Common Issues There is some risk to your data if you use a drive that is larger than 137GB and your system does not support it properly. Once the operating system has used all the bits that it does support to access the drive, it may begin writing over data that already exists at the beginning of the drive. If the operating system files are overwritten, the operating system is rendered unbootable and inaccessible. Drivers or Service Packs for the operating system are necessary to overcome this issue. It is important to realize that the reported capacity of a large drive may often appear as less than expected. Please remember that, depending on the particular utility used, the capacity of the hard drive can be reported in either decimal gigabytes (where 1 GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes) or in binary gigabytes (where 1 GB = 1,073,741,824 bytes). Highlighting your C: drive in Windows Explorer reports the drive capacity in binary gigabytes. For example, a WD2000BB hard drive’s capacity will be reported as approximately 186 binary gigabytes. For more details about this issue, please see Answer ID 615. __________________ The Apexer formerly known as SnotRocket. "Like I **ing said, "Ok, so I hear it may be a repost. Blah But I had never seen it, so..." ** you Canta." -Jenny 12/4/2003

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10-12-2003, 11:48 AM	#2
bachviet What's Da Pho*? Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SoCal (714) Posts: 13,296	I don't think the OS has any problem seeing it if you partition it ahead. Your BIOS might just show it's a 137GB hard drive though.

10-12-2003, 12:51 PM	#3
ribitch Rear Admiral Upper Half Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,672	the problem is with the IDE controller and the bit addressing. Most new large drives ship with a PCI card that corrects this problem. To get this card, you need to purchase a retail drive though. Most firewire enclosures also eliminate this problem. It may be the same with a USB enclosure as well.

10-12-2003, 01:40 PM	#4
Devhux Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Calgary Alberta Canada Posts: 2,511	I was about to buy an OEM 160GB hard drive -- are you implying that I might not be able to see the whole drive if it's plugged into my ABit IT7 MAX mainboard? (i845E chipset). This was the first I had heard about the 137GB limitation, so I guess I'd better find out the info before purchasing the drive.

10-12-2003, 06:12 PM	#6
Devhux Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Calgary Alberta Canada Posts: 2,511	Hmm, I really don't want to have to load a seperate utility just because I have a 160GB hard drive or so. Guess I'll just settle for 2 x 120GB drives and RAID them (if I RAID at all, that is).

10-12-2003, 07:23 PM	#7
johnnymk Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: May 2000 Location: LEVITTOWN< PA> USA Posts: 13,621	Sounds a little risky. What do you think? I have Windows 98SE. If I get the controller card and also partition the drive, would it be worth the gamble?

10-12-2003, 10:39 PM	#8
bachviet What's Da Pho*? Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SoCal (714) Posts: 13,296	You should be fine with a controller card. I run two Maxtor 160GB hard drives with a controller in my Dell Dimension 4550. My Dell actually recognizes the hard drives but I want all my drives on seperate channels (4).

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