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How to Detect Harddisk?

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13 replies

by jonsf1

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I'm using Pentium MMX 200MHz, I am using a 4GB Harddisk (Quantum) and I would like to add another 10GB Quantum lct10 harddisk. But when I run bios setup, it only detect as 8GB. How am I suppose to get the another 2GB back since my PC is not supporting more than 8GB harddisk?

13 replies

by ann777

Two options:
1) See if the systemboard manufacturer has an updated BIOS for your make/model of systemboard and download/flash the BIOS
2) Partition the drive so that you have a 8 GB partition and a 2 GB partition.

by thechas

If the BIOS only detects the drive as 8GB, that is all you will ever have. You cannot partition it into an 8GB and 2 GB drive without using some other solution.

I agree with the add-on IDE controller card.
Not only will the card detect and support the full capacity of the drive, the data transfer rate will be much faster than your on-board IDE controller.

Another option, is to install the Drive Overlay software from the hard drive manufacture.
This works best if both drives are from thesame manufacture.
You can download the software from the drive manufactures web site.

1 caveat, if you are using Windows 95, you are likely limited to 2GB per partition.
If your existing drive has 2 or more partitions, you can keep the drive letters from changing if you partition the new drive as an extended DOS partition with as many logical drives as needed.

DO NOT setup the drive without a Primary DOS partition if you desire to make the drive the C: (boot) drive.

Chas

by n4whk

Win95 is only going to show 8GB however it will format to 10GB. I have a PC MMX166 Win95 with a 2.1GB and a 10GB. Even though it does not show but 8GB in the bios it still formats to 10GB and works fine. I have 8 partitions on the 10GB for performance reasons.

by lowdn

I agree with dream@i-america.net. He is correct cause I also have the same problem encountered.

by jim phelps

Put the new HD in another PC which will support drives that big. FDISK and format it there. Then move it to your PC. Your PC will probably recognize and be able to use all 10 GB.

However, don't ever run FDISK on it while it is in your computer, because if you do, the extra 2 GB will be hosed.

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