Maxtor 160GB Problem

tsoekFeb 9, 2002, 1:08 AM

I have the Maxtor 5400 rpm ATA133 160GB hard drive but I can't even format it under Windows 2000 Professional. It keeps giving me an error message saying something like "Volume too big" and it says it even if I want to make two 80GB partitions using the Administrative Tools with Windows.. as well my BIOS only recognizes the drive to be somewhere around 138GB. I'm going to try and flash the BIOS to update that, but will that fix my Windows error as well? Does Windows 2000 only support a volume up to a certain size per partition, and if so, what size do I need to meet? Thanks for any replies in advance!

24 answers Last reply Feb 25, 2002

More about maxtor 160gb problem

ZlashFeb 22, 2002, 7:11 AM

I'm pretty sure flashing your bios will fix your problem. I believe the limit of the ATA standard is what 128GB? Which is what your experiencing, but i'm pretty sure they have a fix for that out now if you have an updated BIOS.

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Lars_ColemanFeb 22, 2002, 11:24 AM

You may want to partition and format this drive using NTFS. If you are using Fat32 it has a limitation of 32GB in Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

As long as you have the ATA133 controller you should be fine with BIOS support from the card.

<font color=red>People and hard drives are like bandwagon fans and sports!</font color=red>

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labdogFeb 22, 2002, 6:31 PM

there isnt 32GB limit on Win 2000 nor Win98.
i had a 40GB in one primary 40GB partition in FAT32 with 98 on it first & XP next.
(i upgrade it later with NTFS)

if you know you don't know, the way could be more easy.
Lars_ColemanFeb 22, 2002, 7:09 PM

So if there is a limitation (you say there isn't), then why does Microsoft say there is?

<A HREF="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/using/productdoc/en/default.asp?url=/WINDOWSXP/home/using/productdoc/en/choosing_between_NTFS_FAT_and_FAT32.asp" target="_new">http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/using/productdoc/en/default.asp?url=/WINDOWSXP/home/using/productdoc/en/choosing_between_NTFS_FAT_and_FAT32.asp</A>

<font color=red>People and hard drives are like bandwagon fans and sports!</font color=red>
AnonymousFeb 22, 2002, 7:21 PM

which XP do you have? home or Pro?
I am sure it has limit on W2k
labdogFeb 22, 2002, 7:24 PM

i know what Microsoft said.

but did you tried it by yourself ?

i did.

if you know you don't know, the way could be more easy.
ZlashFeb 22, 2002, 7:27 PM

There is a 32G limit in 2k and XP, if you partitioned it with something other than 2k and XP it will work though.

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labdogFeb 22, 2002, 7:34 PM

<A HREF="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/using/productdoc/en/default.asp?url=/WINDOWSXP/home/using/productdoc/en/choosing_between_NTFS_FAT_and_FAT32.asp" target="_new">http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/using/productdoc/en/default.asp?url=/WINDOWSXP/home/using/productdoc/en/choosing_between_NTFS_FAT_and_FAT32.asp</A>

if you know you don't know, the way could be more easy.
ZlashFeb 22, 2002, 10:43 PM

Your just providing links that disprove your point....

"FAT32
In Windows XP, you can format a FAT32 volume up to 32 GB only."

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Lars_ColemanFeb 23, 2002, 3:58 AM

I'm with Zlash on this one. I've been running XP since it has came out. I have done it myself. You upgraded from Windows 98 so how would you know if there was a limitation if you have never tried formatting a partition larger then 32GB WITHIN Windows XP? You can do it with a 98 startup disk and then boot into XP, but you CAN NOT create the partition from disk management in Windows XP or Windows 2000 and expect to format it in FAT32 and have it work.

<font color=red>People and hard drives are like bandwagon fans and sports!</font color=red>
labdogFeb 23, 2002, 6:46 AM

read ALL the string, please.

if you know you don't know, the way could be more easy.
ZlashFeb 23, 2002, 7:29 PM

Lol, labdog you never make any sense...especially not this time. You need to read the whole thing, it's stated there clearly for ya.

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labdogFeb 23, 2002, 7:39 PM

of course, sure.
sorry you dont understand nothing on this string.
maybe one day ? ... rofl

if you know you don't know, the way could be more easy.
ZlashFeb 23, 2002, 8:41 PM

Maybe one day your posts will make sense.

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labdogFeb 23, 2002, 8:46 PM

maybe, who knows...

if you know you don't know, the way could be more easy.
ZlashFeb 23, 2002, 8:49 PM

Just for the hell of it, why don't you c/p whatever you think is telling you on that page that you can create a partition over 32G in 2k/XP.

...
profjo00Feb 23, 2002, 11:34 PM

i got the same drive in my Xp box. when you bought the drive i guess you got a fastek card to it, you have to use that one otherwise your drive can only be 120 i think. anyway when you install the fasttek card you also fix your bios so you can use the whole drive, but the drive is only 152gb, after format on my computer. For you use the maxtor install cd and then everything will work just fine
labdogFeb 24, 2002, 8:16 AM

you dont understand NOTHING on this string.

i said

Quote:

there isnt 32GB limit on Win 2000 nor Win98.
i had a 40GB in one primary 40GB partition in FAT32 with 98 on it first & XP next.
(i upgrade it later with NTFS)

in reply someone said

Quote:

So if there is a limitation (you say there isn't), then why does Microsoft say there is?
<A HREF="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/using/productdoc/en/default.asp?url=/WINDOWSXP/home/using/productdoc/en/choosing_between_NTFS_FAT_and_FAT32.asp" target="_new">http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/home/using/productdoc/en/default.asp?url=/WINDOWSXP/home/using/productdoc/en/choosing_between_NTFS_FAT_and_FAT32.asp</A>

in reply i said

Quote:

i know what Microsoft said.

but did you tried it by yourself ? (FAT32 with win98 of course!)

i did.

now i can draw it if you dont understand yet lol

if you know you don't know, the way could be more easy.
labdogFeb 24, 2002, 9:03 AM

oh, i think you have to.

if you know you don't know, the way could be more easy.
labdogFeb 24, 2002, 9:04 AM

maybe when the technology will permit it...

if you know you don't know, the way could be more easy.
ZlashFeb 25, 2002, 1:53 AM

Didn't really answer my question or prove a point but ok...

...
labdogFeb 25, 2002, 12:05 PM

whats your question ?

if you know you don't know, the way could be more easy.
ZlashFeb 25, 2002, 8:00 PM

Just forget it, you wouldn't understand.

...

labdogFeb 25, 2002, 8:44 PM

well, im trying now.
whats the matter ?

if you know you don't know, the way could be more easy.

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