Hello all. I'm getting a new Dell 8400, which comes with WinXP Home/sp1, and a 160g serial hard drive. Because it comes with a bunch of 3rd party apps I don't need/want, I'll be reformatting/reinstalling Windows. I've seen conflicting info on whether sp1 enables using hd's larger than 137g. Does it or doesn't it? Anything special I need to know about this subject? Thanks in advance for any help! :-)

Hi Jack W, [kb 303013] How to enable 48-bit Logical Block Addressing support for ATAPI disk drives in Windows XP (Microsoft) The link above tells me XP needs SP1 to be able to recognise partitions that are larger than 137GB. The limit is mathematical, not a physical one, the MasterBootRecord just can't index more data than 137GB. Your BIOS needs to be able to handle it as well (LBA support). So, even though it's possible to create partitions bigger than 137GB, I would recommend dividing it into partitions that are smaller, just to avoid the possibility of something going wrong. ___________________________________________ ☺ [Belgium, GMT+1]_________________________svg

Hi svg. Yeah, I saw that article. However, the new system comes with a 160g serial drive, so I would think that the BIOS is set up for it. Also, that article refers to ATAPI drives. That's part of where my confusion comes from; i.e., does it also apply to serial drives? Maxtor has a utility called "Big Drive Enabler", or something like that. Adds to the confusion! LOL Thanks for the reply, svg! :-)

From what you have said you meet all the criterea required to work with greater than 137 GB hard drives. You must meet the following requirements to use 48-bit LBA ATAPI support: 1. You must have a 48-bit LBA compatible BIOS. This can be either a 48-bit LBA capable motherboard OR 48-bit LBA capable add-on IDE controller. Your motherboard appears to be OK on this point. One such add-on IDE card is the Promise Ultra 100 TX2. 2. You must have a hard disk that has a capacity that is greater than 137 GB. At 160 GB you obviously do. 3. You must have Windows XP SP1 installed. WinXP pre SP1 will NOT work. Another alternative to WinXP SP1 is Win2k SP3. You have XP SP1 so no problems there. Go to my website (Homepage link) and look up the link titled "Working with Large sized Hard Drives, especially 127 GB or bigger". There are links to MS and other sites providing more information on this subject. ___________________________________________ ☺ When everything else fails, read the instructions.

Thank you, mosaddique

You are wellcome. ___________________________________________ ☺ When everything else fails, read the instructions.