Dimension 4400 replaced HDD 160GB, XP Home Install does not see all of new drive

Question

I had to replace the hard drive in a Dell Dimension 4400. (Old drive failed.) New drive is a Seagate 160 GB Barracuda ATA HD, ST3160023A   No need to save or copy anything from old drive.   I have all the recovery CD's from Dell and doing a new installation of Windows XP Home on the new hard drive.   The Dell Windows XP cd says version 2002 (does that include SP1 or SP2)   First attempt to install XP the maximum partition that the system would see is 131069 MB. Did a check in the BIOS and the system only shows about 131GB hard drive.   Updated the BIOS to version A06 and now in the BIOS it shows 160052 MB as the maximum capacity of the hard drive.   Details shown in BIOS Screen: Drive: ST316081A Type: Auto Maximum Capacity: 160052 MB Multi-Sector Transfers: 16 Sectors PIO Mode : Mode 4 Ultra DMA : Mode 5 Cable Detected: 80 Conductor   what is showing on the Windows XP Home Edition Setup The following list shows the existing partitions and unpartitioned space on this computer.   131070 MB Disk 0 at Id 0 on bus 0 on atapi [MBR]   Unpartitioned space    131069 MB   Guess I am looking for options. Do I continue with installation of XP and does it see the other 30GB or is there something I can do before doing the installation. Or am I just only going to get 130GB of disk space out of a 160GB drive?   Please advise. Thanks

DanielDavis · Answer

I found a Dell Windows XP Pro CD from my laptop. I booted with this disk and not the available unpartitioned space available is: 153617 MB. Much closer to the 160GB size, believe that drives do not format to the full size sold.   Thanks for the suggestion. Then I will install XP Home after the XP Pro CD partitions and formats the drive.

jackshack · Answer

Since Windows XP was initially released in 2002 I think you have the original without a service pack. You will need to acquire a disk that has at least Service Pack 1 on it, or slipstream the one you have with a Service Pack 2 update. You should be able to find this procedure with a search via google.

You may also ask Dell for a Windows XP installation disk. If you live in the US you can use the request form found here:

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dellcare/en/backupcd_form?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&redirect=1

If you live outside the US you will need to call your regional Tech Support and ask.

Message Edited by JackShack on 12-16-2007 06:25 PM

jackshack · Answer

Sorry, but I don't think that would work.  If your XP Home disk is the original without the service packs it won't have the driver routines that will allow it to see the entire disk even though the disk itself has been properly formatted.  You really do need the Service Pack 2 version of the OS you plan to install on the hard drive.

DanielDavis · Answer

Okay, figured I would see what version of XP on the CD. Installed XP on the hard drive here was the results when I entered 'winver'   Version 5.1 Build 2600.xpclient.010817-1148   Local Disk Properties: Capacity 160,031,014,912 bytes   149 GB   So it looks like XP (no Service Packs)   I will try and slipstream the XP version I have. If that does not work then get a SP2 CD from Dell. Thanks for the suggestions.

jackshack · Answer

You're very welcome.  Good luck to you!

DanielDavis · Answer

Slipstream was a success. Used the process described at http://www.helpwithwindows.com/WindowsXP/winxp-sp2-bootcd.html   Was able to create a bootable Dell Reinstallation CD for XP Home with SP2 Boot from CD and unpartitioned space reported as  152626 MB Disk 0 at Id 0 on bus 0 at atapi [MBR] Created new partition 152617 MB   Very helpful advice!!

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Dimension 4400 replaced HDD 160GB, XP Home Install does not see all of new drive

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