i just bought a WD1200JB wd hdd to set as a slave. i think the bios recognises it, but windows doesn't, and i can't use it. i have no idea what is wrong. i did set the jumpers.

If it's seen by the bios but doesn't show up in 'my computer' it's probably because it's not partitioned. Windows won't assign a drive letter unless a drive is partitioned. Then of course you'll need to format it. You'll need the patch/ME version of fdisk to partition it since the original fdisk versions wouldn't properly see a drive greater than 64 gig. Beyond that I don't think 98 will have a problem with the drive.

You will need to reboot after you use fdisk to partition the drive. Then you can format it (or them if you split the drive up into more than one partition).

how do i use fdisk, or where do i get it?

You can locate the fdisk patch from here: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;263044 Download and run the appropriate file and it will modify your current version of fdisk. You can run fdisk from the start--run line or you can use a bootdisk. If you use a bootdisk you'll need to create one after you apply the fdisk patch. Anyway just type fdisk on either the run line or at the dos prompt if you're using a bootdisk. Answer Y to large disk support, then, since you've got 2 HD's, choose option 5 to change to another drive, then option 2 to change to the second drive. If you then use option 4 it should show 'no partitions defined'. Hit ESC to go back to the main menu and choose option 1 to create a partition. It will ask if you want to use the maximum space. If you do it'll be one drive of 120 gig. If you choose to not use maximum space then you can partition the remaining space as an extended partition and then create logical drives in that partition. It's up to you how you want it configured.

Since you're working with an empty drive you can't do any damage to it if you make a mistake. However when using fdisk make sure you're it's the new 120 gig you're working with and not your original hard drive. Make sure you've changed to the second drive and that it's identified as drive #2 at the top of the fdisk page.

Fdisk help http://fdisk.radified.com/ http://www.compguystechweb.com/troubleshooting/fdisk/index.html http://members.bellatlantic.net/~mrscary/fdisk.htm http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q255/8/67.ASP