How big a HDD is possible on this computer ????

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ribbony

Member
May 21, 2001
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I thought adding a bigger HDD would be simple but I have encountered a wide range of contradictions from the various shops I have asked. Here is the scenario.

I have a Pentium 2, 233, with a 5gb drive running W98. I have a slide scanner that is going to produce lots of 15mb files and the old HDD is going to burst with that input. The stores I asked about putting in a bigger drive have said:

"It will not take anything bigger than 8 gig".
"It will not take anything bigger than 32 gig".
"It will take bigger drives but not read anything beyond 8 gig".
"You can put any size drive in and even though the bios will not read it Windows will and there will be no problem".
"It will read anything up to 40gig".

So you can see why I am confused. If all the people who sell the drives can not confer on the issue then what do I do ?

The Pentium 2 motherboard is a Tekram P6L40-A4 (X), It has an updated BIOS: Award 4.51 PG 10/29/97.
It has an Intel P2 processor, 192 mb ram.

I do not want to buy another HDD until I know what it will take as I live remote and have to get the HDD by mail.

Thanks

Mick
 
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bruincal

Senior member
Feb 26, 2002
224
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0
I believe for your system, the upper limit stands at 32 GB. However, all drives that are purchased now should work, even up to 160 gigs. The way it works is that there's a software BIOS layer available for those people who's BIOS doesn't support the large drive. I used to have a PII 366 that couldn't handle anything larger than 64GB. I bought a 100 GB WD drive, and it worked fine after I installed WD's software. However, the drawback is that you might have to reinstall the OS after installing the BIOS software layer.
 
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bruincal

Senior member
Feb 26, 2002
224
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0
oh yeah, make sure you buy the retail kit (as opposed to OEM) for hard drives since those will include the software and also the instructions on how to install and use the BIOS layer.
 
zephyrprime

zephyrprime

Diamond Member
Feb 18, 2001
7,512
2
81
The software bios thing works but is a real pain for upgrading I've found since the only way to uninstall the software bios is by reformatting/repartitioning. I'd go with a new controller card rather than the software bios. They're not so expensive if you buy one of the kits that include the drive+controller. And might as well get an ultra133 card if you're going to do this.

In any event, it looks like the new bios supports drives greater than 32GB so you shouldn't need any card or software bios anyway.

Check out this link for more than anyone would want to know about this stuff: link
 
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C320

Junior Member
Aug 26, 2001
5
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0
Ok, that caught my attention. I had written awhile back regarding upgrading a regular P233 on a HX83 board. I had already upgraded the bios for year 2000, and now again to ensure getting past the 100 gig level.

Tell me more about this Ultra 133 card? as the new hard drive (yet to be installed) is an ATA100.
If I do go with the Ultra 133 card, does the ribbon length change any? I am barely able to reach all the peripherals now, actually using some old ribbon that is about two inches longer from an older machine.

Thanks for any suggestions
C320
 
zephyrprime

zephyrprime

Diamond Member
Feb 18, 2001
7,512
2
81
The ultra133 cards are made by promise but often sold under the maxtor label. They may be made by othe manufacturers too but I don't know. Ultra133 is simply another ultra ata standard. Nothing special. It can support ludicrously large hard drives (like 131000 terabytes or something). You can get it for bundled with the maxtor 160GB drive. As far as long cables go, just take you chances. You might want to try quality rounded cables since they are shielded and use twisted pair cables inside. Try svc
 
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C320

Junior Member
Aug 26, 2001
5
0
0
Thanks for the great information. I have been out of the loop for a year, you know how the after the schooling is done you have to go to work to pay the bills thing ;)

I will be giving the card and cables a try.

Thanks again,
C320
 
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