Community Newsletter: Q&A forum: 9/03/2004 Gigs missing from my new 80GB hard drive

The most common cause could well be you did not change the drive parameters in the BIOS. Often end users just disconnect the old drive assuming the BIOS will auto detect the new drive. Many BIOS settings provide for AUTO or MANUAL configurations.

If the original installer chose a MANUAL setting then a larger drive might well boot but be limited by the older drive BIOS limitations. If the drive has been formatted to 40 gig based on a BIOS limitation then no wonder another 40 gig is unused.

Suggest the system BIOS (DEL) key is the most common access point be invoked .. try to AUTO DETECT the drive parameters .. if it shows up as an 80 Gig drive fine. Reformat the drive and rebuild or use Partition Manager 8.0 or better to re partition (take care with this or get an expert to do it for you ) .. if it does not AUTO DETECT I would be surprised because most BIOS limitations hang around the 30 gig mark.

Once a BIOS can read 40 Gig it usually reads up to 80 comfortably.

So I am pretty sure you are NOT looking at an inherent BIOS issue.

Also I agree don't FLASH a Motherboard BIOS unless

1. You know exactly what you are doing
2. You have a reliable backup in place
3. You have got the BIOS update from a legitimate and trustworthy source i.e Manufacturer direct.

Regards

Ken McAvoy
Director
RAMNET COMPUTING