Hey, I am trying to build an inexpensive Linux server for file sharing and want to use a 120gb drive. What is the minimum Bios and Processor requirements to allow proper recognition of the hard drive? Can I use a 133mhz?

Most hdd manufacturers ship their drives with an overlay software program that allows you to make full use of the drives capacity. You will never have "proper" recognition of the hard drive. No ATA133 etc. Just a slow machine with a big hard drive. I run a Compaq133 32Mb machine on Win95b and it'll transfer files over my cable modem as well as any machine I own.

SkipCox: Is this overlay software compatible with Linux? wazaa: You are planning on building a Linux server with only 32 Meg of RAM? Which distribution are planning on using? Most of the newer ones SAY they require 64 meg minimum for a system not using X-Windows (GUI). But, if you're going to use this computer mainly for file sharing, then an older distribution may suit you just fine. However, if you're planning on installing a distro from this millenium, good luck. I'd say Redhat 6 (or equivalent) is your best bet. Upgrade to 64 Meg if you want to install a modern Linux distribution. Best of luck with your system.

C_Legend: I used such overlay software (called EZ-drive) in my 486 and pentium time myself. It's written directly into the MBR (as far as I remember - it's been a while!) and starts before the OS. Somehow it make the drive detectable by the bios. It's very helpful but I had a hell of trouble to remove the EZ-Drive later because Patition Magic wouldn't even start because I now use the drive to store data before putting them on a CD-R on my new system! Wazaa: Make sure the actual version works with such an old system and the drive size you want. You should find the software and description on the site of the manufacturer of the drive you want to buy. I they don't say it works try another manufacturer!

C_Legend, Free Weasel is correct to the best of my knowledge. As I normally use Maxtor drives, I use MaxBlast if I have an issue with the hard drive being recognized as what it really is. I installed a 40Gig Maxtor in a P166 last year with Win95 with no problems.

Or you might get a cheap ata 133 controller card. I picked up a ATA133/RAID PCI for around $25 and it worked fine in my pII 350 with dual 80gb drives and a 30gb drive. The key to any good server is the amount of ram! IMHO and a good nic.

I don't doubt that the Maxblast software (or equivalent) will work with Windows/DOS, however, in Linux, I install lilo in the master boot record and therefore if Maxblast overwrites it (or lilo overwrites Maxblast), will it all work? Will it work if I don't write to the hard disk's MBR and use a floppy to boot Linux instead? I mention this for myself (curious) and for wazaa (building Linux server). Thanks, though, for the replies.