Thanks, but one more thing, those cards have names like Ultra ATA 100 etc. If the new HD is a 133 would the card have to also include the termes ATA 133? I have seen Promise cards mentioned, would the Promise Ultra 133 TX2 Eide be an example of an approprate card? By the way, Staples online is already out of stock on that drive.
In order to use the full capacity of the drive you would need to purchase and install a PCI IDE controller card. Otherwise the system would only recognize a maximum of 137 Gb.
@famattjr wrote:
Thanks, but one more thing, those cards have names like Ultra ATA 100 etc. If the new HD is a 133 would the card have to also include the termes ATA 133? I have seen Promise cards mentioned, would the Promise Ultra 133 TX2 Eide be an example of an approprate card? By the way, Staples online is already out of stock on that drive.
All the drives are backwards compatible. Therefore, an ATA-133 drive runs fine with an ATA-100 card, or on an ATA-100 computer. Given that drives don't really run at even 100, and 133 is just Maxtor's marketing hype, save your money and buy a Promise 100 card, not a 133 card. $28.49. See my site for information.
What a coincidence! I'm thinking of doing the very same thing to my Dimension 4100. My system has the 40GB drive, 383MB Ram, and Win98. Are you still running Win98?
I thought the 137GB limitation was caused by Win98, not the controller card. Have you added the hard drive? What size did you go with and have you found a good source?
Good to see I'm not the only person who still thinks the 4100 is worth upgrading.
The BIOS has to provide support for hard drives larger than 137 Gb. The BIOS (as well as the operating system) must provide 48-bit LBA addressing. The 4100 BIOS does not provide this support. Windows XP does provide this support, but only if it isenabeled in the BIOS. I don't know much about the 2300. You would have to download the BIOS upgrade file of the 2300, use it to create a bootable floppy, then look on the floppy for the BIOS release notes to see if 48-bit LBA support was ever added. The addition of a controller card overcomes the problem by adding its own extensions to the BIOS.
Thank you Rick. I picked up the Maxtor at Staples today, with a $20 instant reduction and 80 rebate it comes to 100 and I didn't realize this when I got it, the box says "Free inside, a $49 value, Maxtor Ultra ATA/133 PCI card." So that is the controller card I need I guess. This is probably not the latest or fastest drive; that's why it's on sale, but it seems to be a good deal.
@famattjr wrote:
Thank you Rick. I picked up the Maxtor at Staples today, with a $20 instant reduction and 80 rebate it comes to 100 and I didn't realize this when I got it, the box says "Free inside, a $49 value, Maxtor Ultra ATA/133 PCI card." So that is the controller card I need I guess. This is probably not the latest or fastest drive; that's why it's on sale, but it seems to be a good deal.
Glad to help. I just bought one today too at Staples, $99.99 - $30 coupon = $69.99 with the card (one had the card, one did not).
The drive is the latest and greatest. All the ATA drives are getting reduced due to the new SATA drives coming into the pipeline. You've got a great drive and the card to run it. Have at it.
I bought the same drive, (whoever said it was OOS should call staples direct. I did and found it wasn't OOS as they still has 178 drives in stock, I also got it for $50AR). I will be installing on a dell 8300. Do I need the controller card?
How should I partition the drive? How do I copy the files from the old drive to the new drive?
I would appreciate any help I can get before I need it!!!
Just to be sure I understand, with the Dimension 4100, I'll be able to use the 160GB drive as long the new disk controller card is used. I would not have to change the bios on the Dell. Thanks.
famattjr
5 Posts
0
June 18th, 2003 23:00
Message Edited by famattjr on 06-18-2003 07:38 PM
osprey4
4 Operator
•
34.2K Posts
0
June 18th, 2003 23:00
Edit: I'll defer to Steve on this one.
Message Edited by osprey4 on 06-18-2003 08:21 PM
volcano11
2 Intern
•
28K Posts
0
June 18th, 2003 23:00
In order to use the full capacity of the drive you would need to purchase and install a PCI IDE controller card. Otherwise the system would only recognize a maximum of 137 Gb.
Steve
rickmktg
2 Intern
•
11.9K Posts
0
June 19th, 2003 01:00
lostpuppy38
1 Rookie
•
8 Posts
0
June 19th, 2003 04:00
lostpuppy38
1 Rookie
•
8 Posts
0
June 19th, 2003 04:00
DavidPJ
18 Posts
0
June 19th, 2003 13:00
What a coincidence! I'm thinking of doing the very same thing to my Dimension 4100. My system has the 40GB drive, 383MB Ram, and Win98. Are you still running Win98?
I thought the 137GB limitation was caused by Win98, not the controller card. Have you added the hard drive? What size did you go with and have you found a good source?
Good to see I'm not the only person who still thinks the 4100 is worth upgrading.
Thanks for your comments.
Dave
volcano11
2 Intern
•
28K Posts
0
June 19th, 2003 15:00
lostpuppy38,
The BIOS has to provide support for hard drives larger than 137 Gb. The BIOS (as well as the operating system) must provide 48-bit LBA addressing. The 4100 BIOS does not provide this support. Windows XP does provide this support, but only if it isenabeled in the BIOS. I don't know much about the 2300. You would have to download the BIOS upgrade file of the 2300, use it to create a bootable floppy, then look on the floppy for the BIOS release notes to see if 48-bit LBA support was ever added. The addition of a controller card overcomes the problem by adding its own extensions to the BIOS.
Steve
famattjr
5 Posts
0
June 19th, 2003 19:00
rickmktg
2 Intern
•
11.9K Posts
0
June 19th, 2003 20:00
Glad to help. I just bought one today too at Staples, $99.99 - $30 coupon = $69.99 with the card (one had the card, one did not).
The drive is the latest and greatest. All the ATA drives are getting reduced due to the new SATA drives coming into the pipeline. You've got a great drive and the card to run it. Have at it.
skmerrow
91 Posts
0
June 19th, 2003 21:00
I bought the same drive, (whoever said it was OOS should call staples direct. I did and found it wasn't OOS as they still has 178 drives in stock, I also got it for $50AR). I will be installing on a dell 8300. Do I need the controller card?
How should I partition the drive? How do I copy the files from the old drive to the new drive?
I would appreciate any help I can get before I need it!!!
Thanks,
Karen Merrow
DavidPJ
18 Posts
0
June 20th, 2003 09:00
Volcano11,
Just to be sure I understand, with the Dimension 4100, I'll be able to use the 160GB drive as long the new disk controller card is used. I would not have to change the bios on the Dell. Thanks.
volcano11
2 Intern
•
28K Posts
0
June 20th, 2003 12:00
DavidPJ,
That is correct.
Steve
skmerrow
91 Posts
0
June 20th, 2003 14:00
How do we know that????
Karen
volcano11
2 Intern
•
28K Posts
0
June 20th, 2003 14:00
All of the newer models will support hard drives larger than 137 Gb. This includes the 8300.
Steve