Partition Issues

[thewholeshow]

Is there anyway of using all 160GB of my hardrive on Windows XP without installing SP2?

 

[thewholeshow]

Anything?

 

[KGB]

Show,

If you mean can you create a partition using the entire 160GB drive, the answer is yes.
IIRC, you only need XP SP1 for LBA.

 

[FlyingPenguin]

You don't need SP2, just SP1. Also your hardware needs to support it:

Requirements for support of 48-bit LBA (Exceeding 137Gb HDD size limit):


OPERATING SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:

Windows 2000 with Service Pack 3 or better or Windows XP with Service Pack 1 or better

HARDWARE REQUIREMENTS:

Your hard drive controller must support 48bit LBA (Large Block Addressing) - check the motherboard manufacturer's website for BIOS update and/or motherboard chipset driver update that MAY add this ability.

Alternately, you can install an add-on 48bit LBA capable controller card.

 

[thewholeshow]

I cant use any service packs, whenever I try it causes random rebooting, and I have to reformat and reinstall everything again.

 

[thewholeshow]

I tried again any way, and this is what I get.

 

[FlyingPenguin]

Google is your friend. Fix for that error is here: http://www.tech-recipes.com/windows_tips556.html

Fair warning: SP2 upgrades can go badly unless your system is CLEAN. To ensure a problem free install, temporarily disable any unusual background applications. Unplug ALL USB devices, disconnect ALL printers.

It's IMPERATIVE that there's no Spyware on your system. Due to the security features of SP2, if it's installed on a system with spyware, you will not be able to boot into Windows. I've seen this happen a lot. You then have to do a manual registry restore in order to boot into safe mode to use system restore.

Please follow my detailed spyware removal instructions here before installing SP2: http://theflyingpenguin.com/spyware-removal.shtml

Also, I would highly recommend you run a FULL virus scan in SAFE MODE.

Backup your critical data just in case.