Windows does not recognize full HD size

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Tim - 04 Apr 2004 00:56 GMT

I have a 40gig HD but only 8Gig is recognized in Windows
98SE is there any way to get windows to recognize the full
size of my harddrive?

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Jeff Richards - 04 Apr 2004 02:27 GMT

Windows sees partitions, not drives, so you are looking at a 8Gb partition.
You can see full partitioning details by opening a DOS window and doing
FDISK /Status.

If the remainder of the disk is unused you may be able to create additional
partitions in the unused space. However, you need to consider why you
current partition is only 8Gb. For instance, it's possible that your BIOS
cannot recognise disk drives larger than 8Gb. This may require a BIOS update
or you may need to use special partitioning software.

Signature

Jeff Richards
MS MVP W95/W98

> I have a 40gig HD but only 8Gig is recognized in Windows
> 98SE is there any way to get windows to recognize the full
> size of my harddrive?

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philo - 06 Apr 2004 00:13 GMT

<snip>

. This may require a BIOS update

> or you may need to use special partitioning software.

if so, the mfg of your drive prob. has drive overlay software that will do
the trick

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mike ... faded_us@yahoo.com - 15 Apr 2004 22:35 GMT

ok, in your answer you wrote, "This may require a BIOS
update

>or you may need to use special partitioning software.

"..where do i get this stuff from because i am having the
same problem?

>-----Original Message-----
>Windows sees partitions, not drives, so you are looking at a 8Gb partition.
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
>.

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Jeff Richards - 16 Apr 2004 07:34 GMT

You can search for a BIOS update at the BIOS manufacturer's or the
motherboard manufacturer's www site. Not all motherboards support updating
the BIOS.

Software to allow older machines to access large hard drives is known as
drive overlay or drive manager software. EZ-BIOS is one example. It is
usually supplied with a new hard drive, and in some cases it can be
downloaded from the hard disk drive manufacturer's www site.

Signature

Jeff Richards
MS MVP W95/W98

> ok, in your answer you wrote, "This may require a BIOS
> update
> >or you may need to use special partitioning software.
> "..where do i get this stuff from because i am having the
> same problem?

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Leo - 07 Apr 2004 01:36 GMT

I am having the same problem with Windows 98SE and a newly
installed 20GB HD. I believe that there is a limit to 8GB
under FAT32 and 2GB under FAT16. Let me know if you find
something. Someone told me that there is a trick to it.
Email me at Lstan10@yahoo.com. Thanks

>-----Original Message-----
>I have a 40gig HD but only 8Gig is recognized in Windows
>98SE is there any way to get windows to recognize the full
>size of my harddrive?
>.

Reply to this Message

Jon_Hildrum - 07 Apr 2004 15:48 GMT

There was a Bios limit in some bioses on older motherboard that might have
provided the 8G limit. Check with the motherboard manufacturer for a bios
update or alternatively use a drive overlay provided by the drive
manufacturer.

Signature

Jon Hildrum
DTS MVP
Jon_Hildrum@msn.com
www.hildrum.com

> I am having the same problem with Windows 98SE and a newly
> installed 20GB HD. I believe that there is a limit to 8GB
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
> >size of my harddrive?
> >.

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