In the BIOS history for the 8200 model there is nothing documented to show that 48 bit LBA support for large hard drives was added to the BIOS code. With that said, the folks over in the
Dimension - Hard Drive forum frequently recommend using the latest BIOS version along with hard drives larger than 137 gigs. I would try adding the drive with your present BIOS version and see if it is supported in the BIOS. If it is then the 8200 model has had 48 bit LBA support since its initial BIOS release. If the BIOS doesn't see the full capacity of the hard drive then try upgrading the BIOS to version A09 which is the latest release and can be found by
clicking here. If the A09 update corrects the problem then 48 bit LBA support was added to the BIOS code and not documented by Dell. Keep in mind that with a hard drive larger than 137 gigs you will need to be using Windows XP with at least Service Pack 1 installed or Windows 2000 with Service Pack 4 for OS support of that drive.
I have installed a Seagate 160GB in a Dimension 8200 that is running Bios Version A08 yet the PC still CAN'T recognize the full 160GB - it recognizes only 137GB.
Having read many of the forum posts on this topic it seems that upgrading the Bios MIGHT solve the problem, yet some posts say that A08 should handle the job.
Also, I have found there to be both A09 and A11 Bios versions mentioned in some of the posts. Questions:
1) WHICH Bios version should I upgrade to?
2) If version A08 should work, what have I done wrong in the 160GB drive install.
Have installed Seagate 400GB hard drive with aid of DiscWizard software, which came bundled with drive. Initially, only 137GB was recognized. Upon re-boot, Discwizard came with dialog box indicating that it detected Windows registry was not set for large hard drive and had button to set registry and re-boot again. This button was selected, and upon re-boot full capacity of drive was recognized. Am running Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 2 and Bios A09.
Hi DWA & thanks for your reply... it helped me fix my Dimension 8200 problem as follows:
Another post by Majestic suggested I upgrade the bios to v.A09, which I was prepared to do, but thought it might be better if I ran Seagate's DiscWizard software again first. I was hoping it would automatically reconfigure the registry like in your machine.
When I did this DiscWizard asked if I had the drive already installed (yes) then it immediately popped up with a box telling me that a registry change was required to correctly install drives larger than 137GB. Allowing this to proceed, DiscWizard then opened the CD and allowed me to retrieve the CDROM before rebooting. After rebooting (without updating the bios) DiscWizard proceeded to automatically re-initialize & partition the new F drive. When finished, my full 160GB was available in My Computer.
I suppose that bios v.A08 is sufficient to run large capacity drives in the Dimension 8200 so long as one has good installation software like was provided by Seagate. I'm not sure why it didn't recognize that a registry change was needed in the first place but things are working smoothly now. The Seagate manual & website support should address this problem a bit better. Thanks again for your help! Ron
Majestic
2 Intern
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9.4K Posts
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August 29th, 2005 12:00
bartlettr
5 Posts
0
November 6th, 2005 02:00
Having read many of the forum posts on this topic it seems that upgrading the Bios MIGHT solve the problem, yet some posts say that A08 should handle the job.
Also, I have found there to be both A09 and A11 Bios versions mentioned in some of the posts. Questions:
1) WHICH Bios version should I upgrade to?
2) If version A08 should work, what have I done wrong in the 160GB drive install.
Thanks!
Ron
DWA2531
2 Posts
0
November 7th, 2005 17:00
bartlettr
5 Posts
0
November 8th, 2005 22:00
Another post by Majestic suggested I upgrade the bios to v.A09, which I was prepared to do, but thought it might be better if I ran Seagate's DiscWizard software again first. I was hoping it would automatically reconfigure the registry like in your machine.
When I did this DiscWizard asked if I had the drive already installed (yes) then it immediately popped up with a box telling me that a registry change was required to correctly install drives larger than 137GB. Allowing this to proceed, DiscWizard then opened the CD and allowed me to retrieve the CDROM before rebooting. After rebooting (without updating the bios) DiscWizard proceeded to automatically re-initialize & partition the new F drive. When finished, my full 160GB was available in My Computer.
I suppose that bios v.A08 is sufficient to run large capacity drives in the Dimension 8200 so long as one has good installation software like was provided by Seagate. I'm not sure why it didn't recognize that a registry change was needed in the first place but things are working smoothly now. The Seagate manual & website support should address this problem a bit better. Thanks again for your help! Ron