adding a second HDD

Ryan111

Ryan111

Ryan111

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Joined
29 May 2009
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Plymouth, United Kingdom
I currently have my main pc (in sig) and my dads old pc (never turned off) on my network. As i like to be able so stream my media via the network, im having to keep my main rig on to do so. Anyway, i found a 120GB IDE HDD and tested it, and its 100% fine so i tried to put it in my dads (old) pc.

TO cut a long story short, the second HDD comes up as unformatted when put in my dads computer and only give the option to format it to 31.5GB

He has a 2.5Ghz P4, 512mb RAM, 2 DVD drives and one HDD. I tried adding anther, setting jumpers to master and slave accordingly. But nothing.

Any help?

P.S if im not being clear please ask questions...
 
What OS is on the old PC?

What are you using to format it?

What filesystem type did you select - Windows won't let you format FAT32 over 32Gb.
 
Another option if it's not the OS limitations - If it's an old PC, you might want to check the motherboard manufacturers website for a BIOS update. Some old BIOS's had a limit of 65k cylinders which equated to 31.5GB. A BIOS fix may be available, or the disk manufacturers used to provide software to overlay the disk and allow you to see the full drive regardless of BIOS limitations.
 
XP 32 bit, its recognised in my computer by windows but if i try and access it I get an error saying the drive isnt formatted (which it is because it was used in my main PC for about a week to store my films)

I just tried using the windows in built format thing...

I chose NTFS, FAT32 gave the same capacity though...
 
Just to add, the PC currently has a 80GB samsung in atm. The drive i am adding is (i think) the same model but 120Gb not 80GB
 
Can you stick it in your pc and see if it will format in there properly, once that's done stick it in your dads pc again and see if it shows up no problem?
 
I havnt tried to update the bios yet, will try and format the drive in my PC tonight...

Any other suggestions?
 
Formatted the drive on my PC, all fine on my PC. When put into the other PC It still comes up "this drive has not been formatted" then try to make me format it for 34.5GB.
 
Hmmm...that's a surprise, not sure why you're so reluctant to try my suggestion and do everything else but that :rolleyes:

But I'll give you another suggestion, check your jumpers...not the woolen ones ;)
 
I havnt ever flashed a bios and I dont really want to just incase.

I have the boot HDD (original) as master and the new one as slave. Im sure thats right, i tried it on other jumpers to see anyway.
 
Identify the make and model of your drive and go to their website. They should have a support area and more than likely .pdf instructions/datasheet you can view. This should tell you any jumper configurations that may be necessary.
 
Right, so this is what was on the samsung website...

testli.png


Does this mean i dont need a jumper for it as a slave drive?
 
Ill try tomorrow, I think that may be the onlt setting i havnt tried :P

Ill post back tomorrow with the verdict :)
 
That pic is showing Jumpers for an IDE drive (PATA)
Is that drive your trying in your dads pc a SATA or IDE.?? SATA drives have NO jumpers.

PS---- On top of that drive are drawings to show you which jumper pin to use for Master or Slave if it is an IDE. If IDE check that your dads first HD is Master, unless your replaceing with yours, if so put it as master.
 
Last edited:
I fixed it now. His drive was already set as master and the second drive didnt need a jumper for some reason. Anyway, the drives working great now sharing all my films around the house :)

Thanks everyone
 
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