HELP! 250 GB Harddrive detected in a 131 GB only

[mondsi]

I bought a brand new Hard drive. it is Seagate barracuda 250 GB ATA 7200 RPM. when I tried to install Windows XP OS this 250 GB detected a 131 GB of space only. I plugged this HArd drive into 3 different computer but still the same problem occured, 3 computer detected 131 GB only. what is the possible problem? is that a factory defect?

any suggestions guys..

[myPCrocks]

That is normal. If you dont have it go to Seagates site and download there Utility disc and run that. Then windows will see all the drive.

[mondsi]

250 GB down to 131 GB? that is not funny.. if this is normal what is the difference of a 160 GB that detects for about 130 GB. does seagate means 250 GB is equal to 160 GB????? nah... try to notice, 119 Gigs lost for that 250 GB. I need a better explanation. anyway thank myPCrocks.

[myPCrocks]

Windows will not see anything larger than 137 give or take. You need to run the installation disc from seagate to enable windows to see it all or install sp2. And hdd's that say 250 will only have about 237 give or take,the same goes for all hd's, none ever have as much gb's as they say.

[mondsi]

Ok i got it. so i need the seagate installation disc, but the thing is My harddrive dont have OS installed (like i said brand new), I tried to make the 250 as a slave but No drives found in the my computer but on the device manager the 250 GB exist. By the way I made all my PC in windows XP SP2 but still 131 GB detected.. thanks a lot myPCrocks, hope you could bring the next solutions

[Sylvander]

You need both a BIOS and an OS that are 48-bit LBA addressing enabled to see more than 126/137 GB.

[myPCrocks]

Just install the OS on it and then run the disc and you will be fine.

Ditto what Sylvander said about the Motherboard, I forgot about that but if it is a modern board that shouldnt be a problem.

[mondsi]

what should i do to obtain a BIOS and OS that are 48-bit?

[mondsi]

@ myPCrocks - you mean just install the Windows XP OS even if it is in 131 GB. then after the OS installation i should run the seagate tools, after this I will obtain the 230 GB (the right freespace i mean) or so?

[myPCrocks]

Yes just install the OS and then run the disc. Also what model Mother Board do you have ?

[Sylvander]

"No drives found in the my computer"
That's probably because the drive isn't partitioned and formatted.

"but on the device manager the 250 GB exist"
That's good, it means that particular PC has the BIOS 48-bit LBA enabled.

"I made all my PC in windows XP SP2 but still 131 GB detected"
Hmmm, I thought that SP2 gave 48-bit LBA ability. :confused:

"what should i do to obtain a BIOS and OS that are 48-bit?"
If you've set the BIOS to "Auto" you should see it detect and display [if you've configured the BIOS to display info on-screen] the full HDD capacity [or else a lesser amount].
I think there is a special procedure during the install of Windows XP for installing the 48-bit LBA drivers, but I'm no expert on that.
Might try to find info on that when I have time.

[Sylvander]

How to enable 48-bit Logical Block Addressing support for ATAPI disk drives in Windows XP (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/303013/en-us)

[Sylvander]

See also http://www.48bitlba.com/
and http://www.48bitlba.com/help.htm
and http://www.48bitlba.com/tools.htm

[mondsi]

guys I found the problem. My windows XP installer is not a 48 bit in other words it has no service packs just a simple windows XP pro installer. I just grab my latest Installer which is Service pack 2 and thats it. I have the 250 GB hardrive and its whole capacity. You guys are all right. thanks Sylvander and myPCrocks. thanks! :)

[Sylvander]

Aaahhh, isn't it nice to get a successful result? :) :cool: