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Missing space on new HDD (not due to bit rounding)

Jul 10, 2005
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Hi All,

I just finally got around to installing a new hard drive I bought back at the beginning of the month. It said on the label that it was 250 GB. Now that I have spent a full day installing Windows, and downloading and installing audio and video drivers, and basically getting my system back on its feet, I found that in Explorer it shows the capacity is only 127 GB. I didn't create any partitions on it, and I'm not showing any unidentified drives in Explorer, so can someone please explain what happened to my other 123 (or slightly less due to bit rounding) Gigabytes? :confused:

Thanks,
TTL
 

Gentle Ben

Senior Member
Jan 5, 2002
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drives larger than 127 GB require windows 2000 sp3 or higher, XP sp1 or higher, or an ATA/133 PCI card

That taken off the box for a maxtor 200gig HD I am soon to install
hope this helps
 
Jul 10, 2005
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Thank Gentle Ben, I should have specified that I installed XP SP 2, and did Windows update. So my Windows should be pretty current.
 

albertp

Member
Aug 20, 2002
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The 128 GB limit is the addressing limit of the earlier ATA spec. You have to upgrade the BIOS on the motherboard. What make/model is your motherboard ?
 
Jul 10, 2005
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My motherboard

albertp said:
The 128 GB limit is the addressing limit of the earlier ATA spec. You have to upgrade the BIOS on the motherboard. What make/model is your motherboard ?

My motherboard is ASUS P4S533-X

BIOS revision is 1004

Date 02/24/03

I have a slave drive which is 200 GB that shows up just fine.

Thanks,
TTL
 

Rigel7

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Mar 26, 2005
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Rigel7, Beta Orionis constellation
Missing bits

Hi.

Please go to support.microsoft.com and search for article number 303013. All the info you need is there. If you need help, let me know.
 

tboy

resident smartass
Aug 18, 2001
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I really wish ppl would use the *#&)(*& search button...this exact same situation was addressed twice before......

Even with a BIOS update you may have to get a drive overlay such as that provided by western digital.

Let me ask you: Did you follow the manufacturer`s instructions before installing?

https://terb.cc/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=104196&highlight=western+digital
 

Dash

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Apr 6, 2003
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Tiny Titty Lover, I had the same exact problem u had. In fact, it was precisely exactly the same problem, right down to the capacity amount (only 127 GB exactly) that showed on my desktop when i put the hardware piece of my brand new - right out of the box - 250 GB Hard drive from Western Digital, fresh from a boxing day sale, and connected it to my computer, inside the case and when it showed up on my desktop. The computer said it was only 127 GB. Exactly the same capacity amount that
only showed up on ur computer when ur new 250 Hard Drive was installed, connected and operating.

I was so pissed. I paid good hard-earned solid 250 bucks for all of 250 GB of hard drive memory capacity space and I ended up with only half the harddrive memory capacity space (127 GB), and just like you, 123 GB hard drive memory capacity space missing.

The following is the message I posted like a month ago. It summarizes in vivid detail the same dillemma I struggled with, that you did.

By the way, the solution, how I managed to solve it is at the very bottom, on the last paragraph of this post. If you dont want to read through the whole lengthy post and skip it.

and yes, this exact same situation was addressed twice before...

https://terb.cc/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=104196&highlight=western+digital

https://terb.cc/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=105796&highlight=western+digital

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Dash

hey guys

I just finished installing a new 250 GB harddrive as a third harddrive into my computer - set it up as slave - it wasn`t the system master drive - but secondary - put in the piece of hardware into the case - plugged in the power and the data cable into it and put the case cover back - screwed all the parts back in - and right clicked My Computer and initiated the new harddrive and it began formatting and now shows on the list of harddrives in my computer - now its connected to my computer -

problem is - its a 250 GB harddrive - as labelled on the box - and I bought a prior harddrive that serves as my second hard drive (3 hard drives total) and its the same company (Western Digital) and the second hard drive is also labelled as 250 GB and the second harddrive shows nearly all 250 GB as it should, short of 30 GB which is for the tree - so the second hard drive looks fine -

But this new harddrive - The THIRD 250 GB Hardrive - that I just installed is also the same company (Western Digital) and is also supposed to be 250 GB -

BUT - after initiating and formatting - the THIRD 250 GB Hardrive only shows 127 GB on the desktop

Now - here`s the smoking gun - I tried switching the data cable to another cable - to see if that was the culprit - but after switching - it still shows 127 GB -

The BIG CLUE is this - I had the Third 250 GB harddrive exchanged three times - cos each of them were showing 127 GB - half of the promised 250 GB capacity promised on the box -

First time I bought the Western Digital 250 GB harddrive to place as my third harddrive slot - It showed 127 GB - so I thought, "WTF! That`s only HALF of the capacity that I paid good hard earned money for!" So, I took it back and told them that it must be defective considering it only shows 127 GB - only half of the capacity I paid for and I asked If I could exchange it for the last spare Western Digital 250 GB piece they had on the shelf. So they agreed to let me exchange it due to a possible mass-producing defect in the one I had.

So, I take it home and install it. Turns out, after installation, initiating and formatting, the exchanged Western Digital (Brand new in a box) turns out to show only 127 GB on My Computer.

So, I figure my luck is really bad and due to coincidence, I become the recipient of two defective mass-produced Western Digital 250 GB hard drives. So guess what? I decided to unplug it and return it and this time, ask if I can put the warrantee into effect and if they can send it back to the company to get the mass-produced defective repaired so that it shows all 250 GB once re-installed. Instead they let me exchange it for a brand new Western Digital 250 GB Harddrive, fresh off the shelf.

So, I take the new 250 GB Harddrive, hope renewed, knowing the odds of a third mass-produced defective 250 Hard drive is rather small and install it into my computer, have it initiated and formatted and guess what?

It ends up showing EXACTLY 127 GB on My Computer.

What GIVES? Is this a virus? HELP!

Could it be the PCI expansion card?




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lickrolaine
Registered User

you may need a bios update in order for the mobo to see that big of a drive?
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tboy
rezident smartass

Quote:
Originally Posted by lickrolaine
you may need a bios update in order for the mobo to see that big of a drive?

LOL sheesh, how many times have we heard this? Dude, stop wasting everyone`s time and go to the western digital website and install their disc utilities program. It will automatically upgrade your bios so you can see the full size of the harddrive....

I have to ask tho: did you follow the instructions that came with the drive? I will bet dollars to donuts that you didn`t because I too bought one of their drives and had to install the software that came with it.....
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God made me this way, who am I to question him????
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baci2004
Bad girl Luv`r

Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Where the Romanians are
Posts: 2,097

Quote:
Originally Posted by tboy
LOL sheesh, how many times have we heard this? Dude, stop wasting everyone`s time and go to the western digital website and install their disc utilities program. It will automatically upgrade your bios so you can see the full size of the harddrive....


He already has the exact same drive installed and it`s running properly.
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Preferred

I doubt if it`s the bios or drivers. You have to partition it properly with Partition Magic or some other partitioning utility. I had the same problem. Once the partitioning was done i could see the whole drive.

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tboy
rezident smartass

Quote:
Originally Posted by baci2004
He already has the exact same drive installed and it`s running properly.

BUT in a different configuration......and who is to say that it wasn`t in the computer when he bought it therefore already configured for it.....

Anyhow, installing the W/D disc utilities will solve his problem. This also allows you to partition it however you like....
__________________
God made me this way, who am I to question him????

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In the end, tboy was right. I did what he suggested.

-- Anyhow, installing the W/D disc utilities will solve his problem. This also allows you to partition it however you like.... --

I took the W/D Disc Utilities CD that came with the 250 GB harddrive and I used the CD to install the drive. The Windows version of the installer on the CD wouldn`t run, so I had to go to DOS to run the DOS version of the hard drive installer on the CD. But in the end, it worked. After the installer on the CD installed the 250 GB harddrive to the computer and after a restart. The Computer`s desktop suddenly showed 232 GB which is more right.

And this is when I thought it was a busted or defective 250 GB manufactured hard drive. But I assure you, its not a busted or defective 250 GB Hard drive. You just have to take the disc utilities CD installer that came with the 250 Hard drive and use it to properly install it so that 232 GB will show on ur desktop. Good Luck.
 
Last edited:
Jul 10, 2005
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Thanks Guys

Hey I want to thank all you guys for the suggestions, Rigel7 I followed that document as best as I could but I still couldn't get it going...

TBOY, you're absolutely right, I should have searched first, and I should have followed the installation instructions from the start. When I saw the problem, I just ASS-U-ME-D that I was the only fuck up that could have that problem...There I go thinking I'm special again. Lesson Learned!

Special thank you to Dash... The same things you thought are what I thought, the drive is defective, or mislabelled or something... Anyway, I didn't get any partioning software with the drive, it wasn't in any packaging... I guess it's an OEM drive, I got it at Canada Computers in Pacific Mall, so no fancy stuff. The drive is a Seagate Barracuda, and I took TBOY's advice, and checked their website and followed their instructions... I updated the BIOS, all of that, what I'm thinking now is maybe I need a new controller card, which still baffles me because my secondary drive is 200 GB and it shows up fine, and it's running on the same controller... I'm tired and frustrated with it, and I'm just going to take it to a store and ask them to fix it for me.
 

tboy

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Aug 18, 2001
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I also just checked the seagate website and have a couple of questions:

Did you update the windows service packs as suggested?

Did you install the seagate diagnostic application?

Is your drive an IDE drive or is it scsi or PCI?

Does your controller type match the drive type? ie: IDE/IDE scsi/scsi etc?

Your hard drive controller is probably integrated into your mobo so you may have to buy an external, or add on drive controller card.
 

Preferred

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Apr 13, 2004
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Tiny Titty Lover said:
Hey I want to thank all you guys for the suggestions, Rigel7 I followed that document as best as I could but I still couldn't get it going...

TBOY, you're absolutely right, I should have searched first, and I should have followed the installation instructions from the start. When I saw the problem, I just ASS-U-ME-D that I was the only fuck up that could have that problem...There I go thinking I'm special again. Lesson Learned!

Special thank you to Dash... The same things you thought are what I thought, the drive is defective, or mislabelled or something... Anyway, I didn't get any partioning software with the drive, it wasn't in any packaging... I guess it's an OEM drive, I got it at Canada Computers in Pacific Mall, so no fancy stuff. The drive is a Seagate Barracuda, and I took TBOY's advice, and checked their website and followed their instructions... I updated the BIOS, all of that, what I'm thinking now is maybe I need a new controller card, which still baffles me because my secondary drive is 200 GB and it shows up fine, and it's running on the same controller... I'm tired and frustrated with it, and I'm just going to take it to a store and ask them to fix it for me.

You don't have to buy the patitioning software. Merely download something off the Net or try a torrent. A demo will work fine for the short term.
You will still not see the full capacity. In my case, i have a 250 GB drive (had the same problem as you), after partitioning it is showing 232 GB.
 

Dash

Member
Apr 6, 2003
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Tiny Titty Lover said:
. I updated the BIOS, all of that, what I'm thinking now is maybe I need a new controller card, which still baffles me because my secondary drive is 200 GB and it shows up fine..........and it's running on the same controller... I'm tired and frustrated with it, and I'm just going to take it to a store and ask them to fix it for me.
....sigh...in my post a few months ago - I too mentioned that I thought the controller/expansion card was the source of the problem/defective...and my secondary 250 GB hard drive showed up fine as well.

I went through the same exact hamster spinning wheels. In the end I was baffled, frustated and tired with it. If I didn't get a CD that came with the harddrive. I would've lost.

Tiny Titty Lover. Your secondary drive 200 GB showed up fine. Just like mine did. Thats why I think you just needed was the W/D disc utilities and your solution would be solved in the 15 minutes it took for the CD to install it properly.

I'm assuming you don't even wanna think about it no more. I would've sent it to the computer repair shop, just like you, if I didn't get a magical CD that came with the hard drive. Which is what they need to give with the purchase of ur harddrive.

The funny part of this is that in my situation, I DID take it to a computer repair shop to have it installed by a computer specialist professional and he's the one that thought the hard drive must be defective and suggested I get it exchanged! And I did take it back to get it exchanged TWO TIMES! JUst because the computer specialist professional couldn't figure it out either!

----------------

Just one question I have.

tboy

If I gave Tiny Titty Lover the W/D disc utilities CD hard drive installer that cme with my 250 Hard drive. (I have three copies of the W/D disc utilities CD- thanks to having to exchange it three times) Would it work to properly install Tiny Titty Lover's hard drive so that all Seagate Barracuda 232 GB Hard drive would show up on his desktop? Even though my hard drive is Western Digital and his is Seagate Barracuda. Would the W/D disc utilities CD still work to install his hard drive properly?
 

albertp

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Aug 20, 2002
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Seagate has their own drive overlay software for motherboards with a BIOS that can't see past 127 GB. I think it's called "Discwizard", and it's a free download at their site.
 

tboy

resident smartass
Aug 18, 2001
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Dash:

I tried that once with a fujitsu drive using a WD overlay and it didn't recognize it... so TTL will have to go to the WD site and get it there...it IS available there so there is no reason he can't get it....

I just love the fact that you took it to a computer shop and they suggested the drive was defective. Just goes to show you that even pro geeks don't know everything lol.
 

Dash

Member
Apr 6, 2003
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tboy said:
Dash:

I tried that once with a fujitsu drive using a WD overlay and it didn't recognize it... so TTL will have to go to the WD site and get it there...it IS available there so there is no reason he can't get it....
Correction. Tiny Titty Lover's 250 GB hard drive is a Seagate Barracuda. So if a W/D Utilities CD won't get his computer to recognize the full space of all 250 GB of his Seagate Barracuda hard drive. Then he CAN'T go to the WD site and get it there. He has to find a utilities CD from the company that manufactures Seagate Barracuda hard drives.
 

tboy

resident smartass
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Sorry, correction, I meant he'd have to go to the seagate website as I mentioned b4
 
Jul 10, 2005
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tboy said:
Did you update the windows service packs as suggested?
Yes, Service Pack 2, plus all updates have been installed.
tboy said:
Did you install the seagate diagnostic application?
Yes, it told me I didn't have support for over 137GB, told me it would make a registry setting and rebooted the computer and problem still there. I went into the section to grow a partition, and said that no there were no partitions to grow.
tboy said:
Is your drive an IDE drive or is it scsi or PCI?
IDE
tboy said:
Does your controller type match the drive type? ie: IDE/IDE scsi/scsi etc?
Definitly.
tboy said:
Your hard drive controller is probably integrated into your mobo so you may have to buy an external, or add on drive controller card.
That's why I figured I should take the computer to the store and have them figure it out for me.
 

bedazzled

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May 18, 2005
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Want to know how 250GB really is equal to 232GB?

Preferred said:
...
You will still not see the full capacity. In my case, i have a 250 GB drive (had the same problem as you), after partitioning it is showing 232 GB.
Just FYI: A disk marked 250 GB showing only 232GB or so of available space is normal.

You see, a 250GB disk really means 250000000000 bytes of storage... and the computer translates that number of bytes by dividing that by 1024 three times (1 KB = 1024 bytes, 1 MB = 1024 KB, and 1 GB = 1024 MB), and this is how you get 232.83064 GB. :rolleyes:

It is misleading, I know... but it is the legacy of the electronics that make the computer work that messes with our minds. This bit of info should reassure you that you are getting exactly what you paid for - once the 232GB size appears; Rest assured you are not getting shortchanged on your purchase.

Sorry I have nothing I can add that has not already been said on how to solve the issue with the seagate HD. All that I could think of has been covered. If the solution is outside what has already been discussed, perhaps you can share it with us upon resolution. I would be curious to know.

Good luck.
----- 'twas my 2 cents worth to the thread...
 
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