I have a MAXTOR 120GB ATA HDD -But its only showing as 31GB?

[Big Beere]

Hi all,

It all started when I purchased a new Seagate 250GB S-ATA HDD ... It took me a while installing the new HDD because windows could no detect it (all sorted now though).. It took me a good 5 hours installing it so windows could detect it. Meanwhile, while fidderling around with it, I decided to attach my 120GB ATA Maxtor HDD.. I formatted the Maxtor drive, and for some reason I inserted some SEAGATE drivers to my MAXTOR drive (in the Bios mode) .. Dont ask me WHY I done it.. thought it would help ?? :shock:

Anyway, I managed to insert the S-ATA Seagate HDD and partitioned it into 100gb 50gb 50gb 50gb parts. Two days later the Seagate drive was making a loud CLICKING noise and was giving me the BLUE SCREEN OF DEATH.. as well as system hanging. I had to send the HDD back and get replacement (not from Novatech). In the mean time i thought i would put my MAXTOR HDD back in (ATA) and use that while i wait for my new HDD to arrive back. After inserting it and installing a fresh copy of WINXP on it.. its only showing as 31.GB - I have formatted it many times and used some Maxtor Drivers from their website to see if it would help…. Still no luck :shock: :!: :?:

Any one got any ideas how I can get it back to 120GB??


Thanking you in advance,

Big B

[strategyoracle]

Could you post a screenshot of the following?

As admin, do Start > Run > compmgmt.msc > OK.

Now click on Disk Management on the left and screenshot and upload somewhere (use Photobucket (http://photobucket.com) or something)

[Big Beere]

Thanks for the reply - below is a screen shot of what you requested.

http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2006-1/1129813/scnshthdd.JPG


Thanks!!

Big B

[strategyoracle]

OK, this seems to me to show that Windows can't see your drive as the correct size, you see on the left it reports it as only 31GB.

This means it is probably an issue with your BIOS not correctly reporting your drive, so if you could take pictures of all the pages on your BIOS setup related to your disk. The only problem might be that I have limited experience with SATA, so someone more experienced might need to help there.

(FYI, to get to the BIOS you normally press Delete or F2 or another key before your OS starts to load. Look for 'Press <key> to enter setup' when you start the computer).

[Big Beere]

Thanks for the reply.

Ohh I see ! My hard drive in trouble is the Maxtor 120gb ATA (not S-ATA :wink: )

I will post you a few pics of my BIOS - showing all info about any HDD's attached!

Back shortly.

Thanks again,

Big Beere :lol:

[Danno]

hello, allot of ide drives that i have see have a jumper on them so you can limit the drive to 32gb, this is for older motherboards and bios's. if this jumper is in place it may explain why the drive is only showing as 32gb (rounded down to 31gb after formatting?).

if you remove the drive and have a look at the diagram on the top it should show what one is the 32gb limit jumper (if there is one).

if there is no limitation jumper i would recommend checking it for errors with powermax, this is available from the maxtor website.

[Big Beere]

Thanks for the info Danno.. Will check it out shortly.


I have attached two screen shots of my BIOS screeen.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f129/BeereBelly/Photo-0047.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f129/BeereBelly/Photo-0044.jpg

[djgandy]

hello, allot of ide drives that i have see have a jumper on them so you can limit the drive to 32gb, this is for older motherboards and bios's. if this jumper is in place it may explain why the drive is only showing as 32gb (rounded down to 31gb after formatting?).

if you remove the drive and have a look at the diagram on the top it should show what one is the 32gb limit jumper (if there is one).

if there is no limitation jumper i would recommend checking it for errors with powermax, this is available from the maxtor website.

^^What he said.

http://www.maxtor.com/_files/maxtor/en_ ... yle_a2.htm (http://www.maxtor.com/_files/maxtor/en_us/documentation/jumper_settings/style_a2.htm)

Cylinder Limitation is your problem by the looks of it.

[nitram]

You may need the maxtor big drive enabler.

http://www.maxtor.com/portal/site/Maxtor/menuitem.3c67e325e0a6b1f6294198b091346068/?channelpath=/en_us/Support/Software%20Downloads/View%20By%20Category/Desktop%20Storage/DiamondMax%20Family/Utilities&downloadID=11