48 Bit LBA Support for Dimension 3000 external HDD

Question

Dear all, I bought a new harddisc for use in an external case (USB) with my Dell Dimension. Instead of the 320GB capacity only 128GB are shown and partitioned. I was told that this has to do with the '48bit LBA Support'. It's hard for me to believe that this is missing, as my main internal HDD ist larger than 128GB and works. The homepage of Western Digital says: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Problem: The full capacity of EIDE drives larger than 137GB (128GB binary) is not recognized in Windows 2000/XP. Cause: The Windows Operating System, Motherboard BIOS, or PCI IDE controller BIOS does not currently support 48-bit LBA (Logical Block Addressing). Resolution: 48-bit LBA support is necessary for drives larger than 137GB (128GB binary). The following conditions are necessary for the correct functioning of 48-bit LBA support in Windows 2000/XP: * Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1) or Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 (SP3) must be installed for Windows or a registry key must be manually added to Windows' Registry. For information about Windows XP Service Pack 1, see Microsoft Article 322389 or for Windows 2000 Service Pack 3, see Microsoft Article 320853. * The system must have a 48-bit LBA-compatible Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) installed. This includes EIDE controller card BIOSs. Please determine with the computer, motherboard, or PCI IDE controller manufacturer if this hardware supports 48-bit LBA. Note: The Microsoft Knowledge Base articles listed below provide important information about 48-bit LBA support for drives ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I have all XP Service Packs installed and just performed a BIOS flash upgrade. What else could I try? Would it make a difference if I used the HDD internally, as a slave to the main HDD? Thank you! Paul

GreyMack · Answer

The IDE controller inside the external enclosure may be the limiting factor. I've seen the issue reported here a few times. The disk would probably work fine in your PC.   GM

Swisspaul · Answer

I'll check -thanks a lot! Paul

DELL-Donald K · Answer

Is it formatted NTFS?   Are you using XP Service Pack 2?

Swisspaul · Answer

Hi dageezerus, yes, it is formatted NTFS and I use XP SP2. Any hints? I didn't try yet to use it as an internal drive.

DELL-Donald K · Answer

Have you checked in Diskmagement, to see if the full potential of the drive is recognized there?   If the entire 320GB partition is seen, then repartition in Disk Management.  If not, connect the drive interneally, see if you can partition it there.  If so, then move it back.   Other things to check   BIOS fireware Firmware of external unit

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