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View Full Version : Hard Drive: Can't set up properly!


Tuzinor
07-12-2002, 09:33 PM
Dazed & Confused!I know I should get my head examined for working on this old stuff but you only learn by trying.
Dell Latitude Laptop LX 4100T with a Toshiba MK1403AV hard drive.Actual Parameters:Cyl:2796,Heads:16,Sectors:63 Total:1374mb
BIOS Parameters according to Microscope 10: Type 9 >:Cyl:750,Heads:4,Sectors:56 LC:750, WC:750 Total: 83mb
Problem:(1).Cannot get into BIOS to change hard drive parameters.(If it's even possible)
Problem 2: The machine did have EZ Drive BIOS on it.Couldn't find the utility to properly uninstall it.Tried MAX Blast & downloaded E-Z Drive from Western Digital Neither would work on another mfg hard drive.Followed instructions from Dell site to use a debugging program > EZ Drive BIOS doesn't show up when booting anymore.Still showing up as 83mb.
Problem 3:Microscope 10 supposedly has the ability to edit the CMOS but no matter what I try I cannot change any of the hard drive parameters.
Problem 4: Used the "testdisk" utility from Dr.Devices Windows 95 page > can change the geometry with it but after setting the correct numbers which result in 1374mb and "Writing" it and rebooting I again come up with same 83mb partition instead of 1374mb.
Problem 5:Laptop Hard drive adapter to PC adapter. This is my first time working on a laptop. Have the hard drive connections changed since 96? I bought an adapter which is supposed to connect a 44pin laptop hard drive connector to the 40 pin IDE connector > only once I pulled the laptop hard drive out the connector is MUCH smaller than the adapter.What am I missing here?
I've got enough time invested in this now that I don't want to give up! Any ideas on how to get it so Windows/Partition Commander will see the whole 1374mb hard drive will be greatly appreciated! Don't want this affecting my golf game this weekend! Thank's to all who read this.

randyrhoads1981
07-13-2002, 02:21 AM
Heres some specs:

http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/dta/LATLXA02/

Heres a bios update:

http://support.dell.com/us/en/filelib/download/download.asp?fileid=r18864&format=18646&sid=&os=Windows_NT&devid=&type=

No where on the site does it mention how to enter the bios ..i even downloaded the bios update hoping to get some details and nothing there ither. The specs say there are no jumpers and no switches on that computer board. Why cant you get into the bios?..is it password protected?..may try taking the battery out and leaving it out several hours and replace it and see if you can enter the bios. Being there are no jumpers to clear CMOS is a tough one..the directions from the bios download say just copy those to floppy and reboot and start the flash which may let ya in the bios aftwerwards. But that may be grasping straws. If the post screen is to fast..just as soon as you hit the power start tapping the DEL and the F1 or F2 keys like mad to see if ya get in if its just to fast of a post. Connecting that drive to a pc isnt going to do ya any good if you cant get into the bios settings to reflect the true size. Unless ya like Windows 3.11 :eek: The bois flash may let ya in though..just throwing ideals.

ziba-june
07-13-2002, 07:43 PM
Hi,

I did some research for you and found out about suspend-to-disk technique that Dell was using on your system. You can download the system utility file from the Dell web site and make a floppy disk that would help you, I hope.

Dell (http://support.dell.com/us/en/filelib/download/download.asp?fileid=R19219&format=19001&sid=LAT_486_DX4_LX_4100D_T&lang=EN&lib=0&os=W95&searchtype=filter&devid=142&type=UTIL)

Tuzinor
07-13-2002, 08:10 PM
Can you elaborate? Any Dell links just bring me the basic Dell support site.With a little more info as to what and where to look on the Dell site hopefully I will then find it nyself. Thank's!

ziba-june
07-13-2002, 09:04 PM
sorry, the link will takes you straight to the download page. Here is the actual address if you want to type it yourself,

http://support.dell.com/us/en/filelib/download/download.asp?fileid=R19219&format=19001&sid=LAT_486_DX4_LX_4100D_T&lang=EN&lib=0&os=W95&searchtype=filter&devid=142&type=UTIL

ziba-june
07-13-2002, 09:09 PM
http://support.dell.com/us/en/filelib/download/download.asp?fileid=R19219&format=19001&sid=LAT_486_DX4_LX_4100D_T&
lang=EN&lib=0&os=W95&searchtype=filter&devid=142&type=UTIL