The problem you're seeing is because of the lack of BIOS support for the drive. Stick to a 120G or smaller drive and you won't have the problem.
If you must use the 250G drive in the system, consider buying a copy of Ontrack Disc Manager, which will solve the problem of the lack of BIOS support.
If that's the case... why system is working OK for 30 days after HD installation and Rebuild of the XP operating system?
Is it so that DELL XP Activation checks after 30 days that system doesn't have over 120Bg HD installed. If there is bigger HD installed DELL OEM XP seems to lock itself.
It's hard to say what's happening. Without BIOS support for the drive, the data on the drive is at the mercy of Windows loading - otherwise, the drive won't be accessible.
If you want to run that size drive in your system, you'll need a BIOS overlay such as DiscManager to do it reliably.
I have not upgraded BIOS from it's original setup. Do you have any idea if the new versions of the BIOS do support larger HD as native without BIOS Overlay.
According to the notes for the bios flash files, 48 bit LBA was added for the Precision M70 in version A03. Since the updates are cumulative you should update to the latest version which is A04. You will find the flash bios file in the Downloads and Drivers for Precision M70.
Edit: Apologies ejn, a bit overenthusiastic on my part.
Message Edited by JackShack on 04-04-2008 10:36 AM
I don't know the answer to that - but you can try. Note that if the new BIOS does break the INT13 limit, you will then have to reload everything from scratch, so BACK UP before you attempt to update the BIOS.
1.) I got me new WD 250Gb HD and XP Pro with no DELL stuf on CD. I did install XP on HD and it did run nice even with BIOS version A02 which supports only 137Gb. After Clean XP installation I did load the new drivers for DELL (Video,Chipset, Communication, Audio) like I have done with OEM XP installation as well.
2.) With that clean XP installation I did study original WD 250Gb HD which I had placed into the USB box. Everything seems to be OK at least from the data point of view. I can read and write disk like normally.
3.) Upgrading BIOS is always tricky because small things can screw your system, but upgrading bios does not wipe out anything from your HD. I did upgrade BIOS to A04 and now it does recognize 250Gb HD
4.) I'm almost positive that DELL has hidden into the OEM XP somekind of trap to make it non-functional after 30 days activation period if you have changed components into your M70.
5.) Now I'll wait what happens on May 5th... This time my XP is activated for sure.
ejn63
9 Legend
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87.5K Posts
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April 4th, 2008 10:00
What size does the BIOS (F2) report for the drive?
tsalmia
5 Posts
0
April 4th, 2008 11:00
Bios reports 137Gb at the moment, but after both installations to the 250Gb drive My Computer reports correct figures
ejn63
9 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
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April 4th, 2008 11:00
The problem you're seeing is because of the lack of BIOS support for the drive. Stick to a 120G or smaller drive and you won't have the problem.
If you must use the 250G drive in the system, consider buying a copy of Ontrack Disc Manager, which will solve the problem of the lack of BIOS support.
http://www.ontrackdatarecovery.com/hard-drive-software/diskmanager.aspx
tsalmia
5 Posts
0
April 4th, 2008 12:00
If that's the case... why system is working OK for 30 days after HD installation and Rebuild of the XP operating system?
Is it so that DELL XP Activation checks after 30 days that system doesn't have over 120Bg HD installed. If there is bigger HD installed DELL OEM XP seems to lock itself.
ejn63
9 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
0
April 4th, 2008 12:00
It's hard to say what's happening. Without BIOS support for the drive, the data on the drive is at the mercy of Windows loading - otherwise, the drive won't be accessible.
If you want to run that size drive in your system, you'll need a BIOS overlay such as DiscManager to do it reliably.
tsalmia
5 Posts
0
April 4th, 2008 12:00
jackshack
6.4K Posts
0
April 4th, 2008 14:00
According to the notes for the bios flash files, 48 bit LBA was added for the Precision M70 in version A03. Since the updates are cumulative you should update to the latest version which is A04. You will find the flash bios file in the Downloads and Drivers for Precision M70.
Edit: Apologies ejn, a bit overenthusiastic on my part.
ejn63
9 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
0
April 4th, 2008 14:00
I don't know the answer to that - but you can try. Note that if the new BIOS does break the INT13 limit, you will then have to reload everything from scratch, so BACK UP before you attempt to update the BIOS.
ejn63
9 Legend
•
87.5K Posts
0
April 4th, 2008 15:00
Good to know - it's now clear that's the problem and the BIOS release on the system is an earlier on.
Just realize that once you flash the BIOS you WILL need to reformat and reload everything, so DO NOT do that until you have a backup of your data!
tsalmia
5 Posts
0
April 6th, 2008 00:00
Some comments...
1.) I got me new WD 250Gb HD and XP Pro with no DELL stuf on CD. I did install XP on HD and it did run nice even with BIOS version A02 which supports only 137Gb. After Clean XP installation I did load the new drivers for DELL (Video,Chipset, Communication, Audio) like I have done with OEM XP installation as well.
2.) With that clean XP installation I did study original WD 250Gb HD which I had placed into the USB box. Everything seems to be OK at least from the data point of view. I can read and write disk like normally.
3.) Upgrading BIOS is always tricky because small things can screw your system, but upgrading bios does not wipe out anything from your HD. I did upgrade BIOS to A04 and now it does recognize 250Gb HD
4.) I'm almost positive that DELL has hidden into the OEM XP somekind of trap to make it non-functional after 30 days activation period if you have changed components into your M70.
5.) Now I'll wait what happens on May 5th... This time my XP is activated for sure.