Bought an ATA/133 drive but mainboards only supports ATA/33, ATA/66, or ATA/100

  • Thread starter Thread starter NowItsWhatever
  • Start date Start date
NowItsWhatever said:
Will the drive still work with this mainboard? I haven't opened the
package
yet.
Click to expand...
The ATA will not matter...The drive will merely run at ATA100


HOWEVER...how large is the drive?

If the drive is quite large, it's possible your bios will not recognize the
drive.

If the drive is too large for the bios to recognize...
you still have several options:

1) Bios update
2) Drive overlay software (possibly included with the drive)
3) Purhcase a PCI controller card (not usually terribly expensive)
 
philo said:
The ATA will not matter...The drive will merely run at ATA100


HOWEVER...how large is the drive?

If the drive is quite large, it's possible your bios will not recognize the
drive.

If the drive is too large for the bios to recognize...
you still have several options:

1) Bios update
2) Drive overlay software (possibly included with the drive)
3) Purhcase a PCI controller card (not usually terribly expensive)
Click to expand...

300GB. How can I determine the max the BIOS will recognize?
 
300GB. How can I determine the max the BIOS will recognize?
Click to expand...

In theory...the mother board manual should tell how large of a HD is
supported...
however...the documentation is usually fairy poor.

Chances are that if the board is a several years old...
it will not recognize the 300gig drive...

You can always give the board a try...
and if no luck...get the PCI controller card.
If you get the PCI controller...you will at least have ATA133 support



here is an example
http://www.directron.com/ultra133tx2.html
 
Also, with a 300GB drive, you need to make sure that your OS is capable of
handling it. Win2000 can only handle it with SP4 or better, WinXP with SP1
or better. Are you just adding it or using it as the basis of a new OS? I
can help you (having had recent experience with the same problem) if you
want regardless of your answer, but would rather only answer one, not both.

-- Eric
 
"Eric" said:
Also, with a 300GB drive, you need to make sure that your OS is capable of
handling it. Win2000 can only handle it with SP4 or better, WinXP with SP1
or better. Are you just adding it or using it as the basis of a new OS? I
can help you (having had recent experience with the same problem) if you
want regardless of your answer, but would rather only answer one, not both.

-- Eric
Click to expand...

And if you are going to take Eric up on his offer, tell us the motherboard
brand and model number while you are at it. We might be able to dig
up some info, you never know.

Paul
 
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