Windows will NOT let me use full 250gig HDD

[enz660hp]

Im building a system using XP Pro and a 250gb Seagate HDD, upon installing windows, it only detects a portion of the hdd (137gigs) When the HDD itself is meant for 250gigs. I installed windows on this partition, everything else seems to work fine, just the HDD is smaller. I tried to create a larger partition, and it would not let me. Maybe the HDD is broken? Should I RMA it? Ive never done an RMA before, How do I do one? Thanks..

 

[xitshsif]

I would guess your XP Pro disc is pre-SP1.

 

[enz660hp]

It doesnt matter if XP is installed or no, before I even install windows, it states that the unpartitioned space is about 137gigs, And I used service pack 2 btw..

 

[xitshsif]

Is it older hardware? You're having an issue related to a lack of 48 Bit LBA support. Either a BIOS flash or SP1 should help.

Edit: I hope it's not the rig in your sig

 

[enz660hp]

nope, not the rig in my sig...its a brand spankin new 250gig hdd from seagate I ordered last week.....same thing with the motherboard

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...p?item=N82E16813128017

 

[CZroe]

137GB is one of the common motherboard/BIOS/controller limitations. Your drive should have circumvention software if purchased retail. If not, look the applications up or buy a PCI controller. This limitation is why people considered 120GB the largest drive suitable for an XBOX (original) and that was essentially an nForce.

 

[xitshsif]

Try flashing to newest BIOS, and checking all the setting in the BIOS.

 

[bruceb]

What brand of Motherboard ? ? Then we can check for a BIOS update.
The BIOS must have 48 Bit LBA enabled for it to work
Also please have a look at this link:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/303013

Their is a Registry Key that must be set for it to work properly
although XP is Supposed to set properly for you

For the original release version of Windows XP Home Edition or of Windows XP Professional, you can enable 48-bit LBA for testing purposes. To do this, set the EnableBigLba registry value to 1 in the following registry subkey:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\Atapi\Parameters

You also need the correct version of the Atapi File listed here:

If Atapi.sys is not version 5.1.2600.1135 (or version 5.1.2600.1152 for Windows XP 64-Bit Edition), obtain and install the hotfix that is described in Microsoft Knowledge Base article 331958.

 

[MadAmos]

Have you installed the Mobo drivers from the included CD or from the Gigabyte website?

Amos

 

[xitshsif]

Originally posted by: MadAmos
Have you installed the Mobo drivers from the included CD or from the Gigabyte website?

Amos

It's not a driver or registry issue. It has to be BIOS-related. He's seeing the reduced size when selecting a partition, before Windows is installed.

 

[enz660hp]

I have the GIGABYTE GA-965P-S3

I also have some pictures of the bios....

when i enter it, it says IDE this and that...but the drive is SATA, it also sees 250gigs...

http://img248.imageshack.us/im.../2302/untitled3ch9.jpg
http://img256.imageshack.us/im.../1513/untitled4qs8.jpg

when im setting up windows, it sees this:

http://img256.imageshack.us/im.../9431/untitled1cw7.jpg

this is the HDD I purchased:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822144701

guess it wasnt seagate...lol

 

[Fullmetal Chocobo]

48-bit LBA strikes again. Read some of this, and it might help.

 

[bruceb]

Why do you have the Hard Drive on IDE Channel 2 ? ? ?

It should be on the Primary IDE Channel 1

I would try that first. Also as to the Mobo is it a V1 or V3.3 model ? ? ?
Gigiabyte list two types for that model and series .. Also the latest BIOS
is Version 12 for your mobo

Also double check the label on the hard drive. Be sure the BIOS has the
correct number of Cylinders, Heads and Sector Size as recommended
by the drive maker

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: enz660hp
It doesnt matter if XP is installed or no, before I even install windows, it states that the unpartitioned space is about 137gigs, And I used service pack 2 btw..

In other words, the CD you are installing from already has SP2 integrated on it?