How to Create a 12h non dos partion??

I need to create a 12h non dos partion for a compaq deskpro 2000 6200 the compaq disk will not let me create the bios on the new Hd a 15 Gig maxtor ultra dma model 51536h2. I even tried ghosting the old HD but the bios didn’t like that either just hung it up.
Is is time for a Bios upgrade? on the mother board?? its 1996