120gig and xp ???

[Getdown]

just bought a 120 gig samsung hdd from pc world

and when i come to format it in my computer its tellin me all i have is 30 gig and not 120 i have tried several ways to sort it but to no avail

any ideas im running xp and not xpsp1 i think :insane:

[hollie.weimeraner]

Start by posting your mobo spec - you may need to upgrade your BIOS. But without further details no-one will be able to help you with the basic info you have provided.

[geobon]

XP should pick up a 120gb HDD even without SP1 installed, Like above i also think its a mobo issue, whats your PC specs. Also check your bios and see if its detecting it at 30gb if so the board is the cause.

[Chris IOW]

Yeah would also agree. I think the bios will need an upgrade. If you post you mobo info we will try and find ya the correct update :)

[Getdown]

im not sure how to tell u all wot my spec is sorry if someone can help me do it ill post it on here i have managed to do it i think but its sayin i have 111gb after format is this right

[Chris IOW]

im not sure how to tell u all wot my spec is sorry if someone can help me do it ill post it on here i have managed to do it i think but its sayin i have 111gb after format is this right
111gb is right a drive is always a little smaller than it says on the tin :D

So everything is sorted now. Well Done :t_up:

[Getdown]

well i thought so but it was my m8 who did it in his pc and now when i put it into my pc it says it need formatting ???

can sometell me how to find out my mobo spec and how to upgrade my bios

[NickiSixx]

do 200gb drives come up fine with winxp and sp1 installed? at what point do you need an ata133 controller? - or do you even "need" one?

[TierraDelFuego]

to both of you.

WinXPSP1 is needed for drives over 137gb. It will accept any drive on the market today, so 300gig or so, can't remember the max.

The only other issue you will have is the bios on your mobo, as said previously.

Getdown, is your PC a branded make like Dell etc or homebuilt. Try downloading and installing Aida32 and it should give you the details. Aida have ceased to exist but you can still download it from http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail.php3?fid=1033800563

Let us know what mobo it says you have.

[NickiSixx]

i only asked because i installed a 200 GB drive on my pc with winxp and sp1 and it couldnt read it until i installed an ata133 card

[greenhead90]

the ata133 card probably had its own bios on it. thats why it allowed u to use the dirve to its potential. also some hd's have a jumper setting which allows u to limit the size of the drive!

[NickiSixx]

i know greenhead...that was my point. I SAID i was having problems with my PC and installing a 200GB hard drive (WITH winxp and SP1).....but THEN when i added the ata 133 card (on someones suggestion) it worked.....THEREFORE....

I asked once again....do you NEED the ata133 card? was my problem just a fluke..

OR can they really be installed properly with just winxp and sp1 ?? (my mobo supports bigger drives)...

[greenhead90]

no u dont need a ata133 thats only represents speed

[bono_head]

Actually you might need servicepack 1 if over 127 GB harddrive.

[NickiSixx]

yes bono.....we covered that already. thanks

[richskie]

I think only Maxtor makes drives that support ATA133 anyway.