Will XP-Home SP2 get around 137GB -BIOS- limitation?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Jeff W
  • Start date Start date
J

Jeff W

Hi - I'm still on WIN98SE, planning up upgrade to XP-Home SP2 soon. I
bought a 160GB drive. I knew that, for WIN98SE I could format only the
lower 137GB, but I'm concerned because my BIOS (latest update) sees only
137GB. (Y2K-vintage DFI Ta-64B motherboard). I know there are many
ways around this - or I could just punt the 23GB. However, it's been
suggested (though I don't believe this) that SP2 will still be able to
see 160GB. Is this true? if so I can stop worrying about a workaround.

Thanks!
/j
 
Hi Jeff,

Regardless of the operating system, your BIOS must support 48 bit LBA. If it
doesn't, then it won't matter what is installed. Check with the manufacturer
of the motherboard to see if there is a BIOS update available.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
WindowsXP works with large Drives it has 48 LBA, check that your bios
supports LBA 48, if it does not, a dynamic overlay may be possible to get
around the BIOS limitation,Some BIOS have a "new feature" that allows the
operating system to detect devices, ect, this may work,, I have not seen any
posts one way or the other.
Ciao(goodbye in Italian)

Rho_1r(VIP) not MVP
 
Theoretically, the Op sys would see the size of the HD and activate the
correct registry Key LBA 24 for HD up to 137 and LBA 48 reg key for larger
than that, or run a logic program, IF THE ELSE, -1,0,1 ect and then
associated the correct LBA for the drive size eg 0-137GB or >137GB, ect
 
Generally speaking Windows is not Linux, its preprogrammed to run with user
not putting in any instructions,ect, Linux relies on the user to install
various instructions, just a tid bit I throw in here,,,lol
 
no updates available. someone pointed me to esupport.com who will
supposedly generate a custom update but I'm skeptical
 
1. If you want the XP setup program to see past 137GB on the hard
drive, the XP installation CD must incorporate SP1 or SP2. This is
irrespective of the BIOS supporting 28-bit or 48-bit LBA.

2. The only time the BIOS is used to access the hard drive is during
the bootup process. Once the OS is running, the BIOS is not used to
access the hard drive. This means that a 28-bit LBA BIOS will not
prevent Windows XP with SP1 or SP2 from accessing past 137GB on a hard
drive.
 
I thought introducing DDO brought it's own problem baggage
Click to expand...

It's possible and many folks avoid it for that reason. Daily operations
aren't too bad but recovery and repair situations can become complicated.
Since hard drive sizes have increased so rapidly, I've seen many new drives
with an added jumper setting that limits the size of the hard drive that
BIOS will "see."
 
To keep out of using the drive overlay program I would recommend you
purchase a PCI IDE drive controller. This will have a bios onboard which
will go over the 137 GB barrier if the controller is a newer one (within the
last 2 years.) Install this and then put your hard drive on it.

You can put any of the optical drives on the secondary onboard IDE
controller.

All of the other posts' reference to having a Win XP SP 1 or 2 CD is
necessary as the original XP will still not see more than 137 GB is true.

Also make sure all of your other hardware is capable of supporting XP. This
KB has good information on preparing to upgrade

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316639#12
 
thanks but doesn't having such a controller bring with it it's own
'baggage' (i've heard of booting problems, etc). also - they're pricey
today - can't find one for less than $30 or so - I'd rather forgo the
23GB 8=}
 
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