BIOS reports correct size, W2K setup sees only 2Gb

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collective

I have a drive (Deskstar) of 20Gb. The BIOS of the PC reports the
drive as 20Gb correctly. When I try to setup W2K, the setup program
reports a Unformatted or Damaged partition. So I delete the partition
and create a new one of say 10Gb. The machine formats it as NTFS,
copies the files and reboots - but does nothing else. Put the drive in
another machine with W2K already installed and it says the drive
capacity is only 2Gb. I have deleted the MBR using IBM's Drive Fitness
Test software. I have run the full set of DFT checks and it reports no
problems with the drive.

Should I perform a low level format maybe?

Any suggestions?

Help greatly appreaciated.

Regards.
 
Previously collective said:
I have a drive (Deskstar) of 20Gb. The BIOS of the PC reports the
drive as 20Gb correctly. When I try to setup W2K, the setup program
reports a Unformatted or Damaged partition. So I delete the partition
and create a new one of say 10Gb. The machine formats it as NTFS,
copies the files and reboots - but does nothing else. Put the drive in
another machine with W2K already installed and it says the drive
capacity is only 2Gb. I have deleted the MBR using IBM's Drive Fitness
Test software. I have run the full set of DFT checks and it reports no
problems with the drive.
Should I perform a low level format maybe?
Any suggestions?

Maybe blank the disk completely. My standard advice is to do this
with Linux, e.g. tomsrtbt (1-floppy Linux) or Knoppix (CD-only Linux).
Tools for Windows also exist, but I don't use them so I will not
recommend anything specific. The advantage of Knoppix/tomsrtbt is
that you can remove all other disks so no risk to them.

The command for tomsrtbt is

cat /dev/zero /dev/hda (hda:1st disk, hdb 2nd disk, etc.)

for Knoppix, go to console (ctrl-alt-F1) and do the above or

dd_rescue -w /dev/zero /dev/hda

to get a nice progress indicator and stats on how much was
actually written.

Arno


P.S.: Expect some rabid anti-Linux or anti-Arno attack-dog to
jump on this posting shortly ...
 
Arno Wagner said:
Maybe blank the disk completely. My standard advice is to do this
with Linux, e.g. tomsrtbt (1-floppy Linux) or Knoppix (CD-only Linux).
Tools for Windows also exist, but I don't use them so I will not
recommend anything specific. The advantage of Knoppix/tomsrtbt is
that you can remove all other disks so no risk to them.
What a moron. DFT does a LLF. Microsoft Diskpart does a zero. No need to use
another OS.
 
Arno Wagner said:
Maybe blank the disk completely. My standard advice is to do this
with Linux, e.g. tomsrtbt (1-floppy Linux) or Knoppix (CD-only Linux).
Tools for Windows also exist, but I don't use them so I will not
recommend anything specific. The advantage of Knoppix/tomsrtbt is
that you can remove all other disks so no risk to them.

The command for tomsrtbt is

cat /dev/zero /dev/hda (hda:1st disk, hdb 2nd disk, etc.)

for Knoppix, go to console (ctrl-alt-F1) and do the above or

dd_rescue -w /dev/zero /dev/hda

to get a nice progress indicator and stats on how much was
actually written.

Arno


P.S.: Expect some rabid anti-Linux or anti-Arno attack-dog to
jump on this posting shortly ...

Why?
The PS byline just says enough about you.
Nothing worth adding.
If that's not enough warning, than what is ...
 
collective said:
I have a drive (Deskstar) of 20Gb. The BIOS of the PC reports the
drive as 20Gb correctly. When I try to setup W2K, the setup program
reports a Unformatted or Damaged partition. So I delete the partition
and create a new one of say 10Gb. The machine formats it as NTFS,
copies the files and reboots - but does nothing else. Put the drive in
another machine with W2K already installed and it says the drive
capacity is only 2Gb. I have deleted the MBR using IBM's Drive Fitness
Test software.
I have run the full set of DFT checks

So you have "blanked the disk completely".
and it reports no problems with the drive.

Should I perform a low level format maybe?

Any suggestions?

Help greatly appreaciated.

Regards.

One of the "anti-Arnie attack-dog"s.
 
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