On the MS site a search for 263044usa8.exe should get you the updated fdisk.

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Perennially I wouldn't use FAT32 on a disk larger then 20Gbs as you will waste a hell of a lot of space. If you must use FAT32, and with Windows 98 you have no choice, I would partition the drive into smaller partitions. That way you get more usable space. The following article explains why: http://www.pcguide.com/ref/hdd/file/partFAT32-c.html Stuart

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Stuart, You're right about wasting space. But that's less an issue now with the big, clumsy winders programs than it was ten years ago when we used com files of a few hundred bytes. And yes, I would partition into smaller. My 40GB is 3GB for OS and the rest for data. One reason is so when I image the drive about once a week, in case it dweabs, I can fit the image on one CD.

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Windows 2000 and XP won't format partitions larger than 32GB using FAT32 but will support partitions larger than 32GB that were created elwhere. This is copied from MS Knowledge base. NOTE: Although the FAT32 file system supports hard disks up to 2 terabytes in size, some hard disks may not be able to contain bootable partitions that are larger than 7.8 GB because of limitations in your computer's basic input/output system (BIOS) INT13 interface. Please contact your hardware manufacturer to determine if your computer's BIOS supports the updated INT13 extensions. For additional information about Windows 95 OSR2, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 155003 Desription of Windows 95 OEM Service Release 2 For additional information about FAT32, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: 253774 Common Questions About the FAT32 File System

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I see I see.. So I'm able to use the whole 60 gigs of this HDD if I get this fix? The newer version of fdisk I mean. If so is there anything else I need to do with that? How do I know it even worked? As for the clumbsy winders ur talking about im not too sure what that is exactly.. But if this helps my HDD is only maybe 2 years old.. probably not even that.. maybe younger. Its a western digital 60gig HDD.. oh and another question. should I delete the main partion which has only 32 gigs and repartion it so that it sees all 60 gigs? You might be a redneck if.. Someone asks you what kind of processor you have and you answer "Its a V-8.."

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Once you the updated Fdisk there's nothng more to downlaod/do. Just add it to your '98 bootdisk (it will overwrite the earlier version) and you're away. Not wise to have an all-in-one partitioned drive. Far wiser/safer to have at least two partitions; Primary for OS/appps/utils, Extended (= balance) for data. The Extended can be further sub-divided into two or more logical-drives - for ease of data organisation/access/faster defrags. So "should I delete the main partion which has only 32 gigs and repartion it so that it sees all 60 gigs?" - I wouldn't advise it... However 30Gig is "a little large" for a Primary - especially for '9x(ME)... Mechanix (post-9) suggests 3Gig for the Primary and it would/should be adequate (especially for '98(ME); but perhaps a max of 5Gig wouldn't hurt? http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q255/8/67.ASP http://www.btinternet.com/~robert.bale1/formatinstall.htm may be of help too?

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Why would it be wiser to have more then 1 partion? Is it for the sake of backing things up or what? You might be a redneck if.. Someone asks you what kind of processor you have and you answer "Its a V-8.."

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If the single (OS/apps + DATA) partition goes belly up, i.e. the OS crashes, you "may" not be able to get into it - depending on the OS... This is particularly an issue with the partitions using ntfs file format (although there are workarounds here too). Consequently you may not be able to access your critical data (at least not very easily). Also if there is a decision or a perceived need to reformat this single partition - as part of a re-installation - then you have to somehow get all critical data etc. off that single partition "before" you (re)format; otherwise all will be lost when you (re)format. If you can access it via a suitable bootdisk and transfer it to removeable media (or another/second installed hard-drive) - fine, otherwise... But it's much better to avoid the whole issue from the start. As Yogi Panjali (600AD if I remember corectly) commented: "Avoid problems yet to come..." (i.e. if you can foresee and plan for and thus avoid possible/future problems 'tis the wiser course of action?) L'il late once things ahve gone pear-shaped??? Backing-up data to a second partition/logical-drive on the same physical drive is a useful method to employ. Even better is to a separate physical-drive, and/or to CDR/CDRW/DVDR/DVDRW? - even tape (remember tape...)? And it's wise to verify back-ups are in fact OK when you first make them, and at regular interrvals verify their integrity...; even to renew them.

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As was mentioned above the partition size is important when using FAT 32. Here is the rundown. Cluster sizes for FAT32 are as follows: 512MB to 8,191MB = 4KB 8,192MB to 16,383MB = 8KB 16,384MB to 32,767MB = 16KB Larger than 32,768MB = 32KB NTFS - All partitions on a PC = 4KB default This means that with a 60GB partition you use 32KB for every file written to the drive. If you use Ghost to back up your drives you may want to consider multiple partitions. Ghost won't backup individual folders, just entire partitions. Ghost will, however restore individual folders or files from a Ghost image. To keep backup size managable I suggest you Create a Primary partition smaller than 8GB. This will give you 4KB clusters which waste less space. The smaller partition size means a faster access time making windows run faster and scandisk and defrag take less time. Install Other software on other partitions.

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He might even go for a Primary of 4Gig max, as that's usually nmore than enough for the '9x family OS with standard apps. If things get a little crowded in there then additional apps/utils can go into a logical-drive (preferably the first of two or more) in the Extended partition); again with an eye to cluster sizes when considering the size of this logical-drive? There are very few apps. (if any) these days that insist on going into the Primary - but there "may" still be a few. I think there are still some utils however that "will insist" on being installed to the Primary?

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Well I dont mind backing things up. I pretty much back stuff up on either a cd or an external HDD (when I get one) So I dont think it would hurt just to use the drive as a single partion. Plus I havent had to worry about crashes and viruses in a long time. I'm useing GoBack at the moment. Anyway thanks for all the info people. I appreciate it :) You might be a redneck if.. Someone asks you what kind of processor you have and you answer "Its a V-8.."

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Just for clarification, the updated version of fdisk is required for drives larger than 64Gb, so your 60 Gb drive can be partitioned without the new version. However, it wouldn't hurt to replace the older version.

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If your 60 gig is only showing a 32 gig partition it may be a bios and not fdisk shortcoming. Some older bios' had a 32 gig limitation. However, I wouldn't think an Athlon motherboard would have a bios that old. If the HD was originally partitioned on another computer that could be why it's only showing a 32 gig partition. It's also possible the HD has a jumper on it limiting it to 32 gig. That was to accomodate the older bios'. Under those circumstances the user would then install a drive overlay in order to utilize the entire drive. But with that jumper set, the bios and fdisk will only see a 32 gig drive even if it's capable of seeing the entire 60. You may want to run fdisk, answer Y to large disk support and choose option 4. Post back exactly what it says there.

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Well the HDD used to be in an older computer with beleive it or not an AMD processor.. it was one of ther AMD K6'es I think.. only 333 mghz lol.. And I couldnt find bios to update that one. So I was stuck till I got a new pc. I'm guessing the 32 gig partion is there because of the older pc. I guess I need to delete that partion and repartion it so that it can see all 60 gigs on it. I hope im thinking on this right lol. You might be a redneck if.. Someone asks you what kind of processor you have and you answer "Its a V-8.."

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It just depends on how you want the HD partitioned. The athlon motherboard should see all 60 gig OK and you could run fdisk and create an extended partition using the remaining space and then create a virtual drive in that partition as a drive D: Or you could run fdisk and remove the 32 gig and repartition it as a single 60 gig. You may want to run fdisk, option 4 to see what it says there. If it only shows a total disk space of 32 gig then I'd think the 32 gig jumper was installed. You'd want to remove that before doing any further partitioning. If it shows a 32 gig partition and 60 gig total then obviously the jumper isn't installed.

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trvlr, Well put.

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check your e-mail

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