Topic: Off Topic : Strange large hard disc limit

[arthurhanlon]

Hi all,

I recently bought an 80GB hard disc to replace the measly 4GB disc in my SME Server and noticed that when I first installed it it gave a crazy reading on how big it actually was. I know of the 32GB limit on older MoBo's so decided that I would flash the BIOS which in turn totally arsed it up (but that's another story   ).

Once I eventually got it up and running after rescuing the BIOS chip I noticed that the hard disc was showing that it was a 65GB disc and not an 80GB one. Like I said before, I knew there was 32GB limit but why would it show 65GB (admittedly it's still better than 4GB), is this another break off point? I also know that it's a possibility that I will require an IDE PCI controller card.

MoBo is MSI 5182 with AMD K6-2 400 CPU and 162MB? RAM.

Cheers for any kind of feedback,

Arthur

[MSmith]

Next "break point" is at 127 gigabytes.    I've seen autodetection weirdness when playing around with master/slave/CS jumpers; you might try that.  But as Linux doesn't go absolutely by the BIOS you might actually be getting the full 80GB after all.

[arthurhanlon]

Cheers for the quick response.

I have to run a few backups before moving over but should be able to have a good play around with it this weekend. I'll give it a try and see how it works out.

Thanks again,

Arthur

[arthurhanlon]

MSmith,

An update on the hard disc situation, I get 74GB out of the 80GB drive so it doesn't really warrant buying a PCI card to get the full 80.

Works a treat and is much quieter than the 4GB that was on it's way out I think.

Cheers again,

Arthur

[Smitro]

74GB on a 80GB drive is correct. I'm using one in my WinXP box and I can verify that it's the same. It will not ever read as 80gb.

It's the same with all hard drives. I have a 120gb hard drive that reads as 111gb. It's the same with all drives, no matter what OS.

[arthurhanlon]

Cool,

I realise there is the whole 1024 thing but thought that I would get more. I too have a 120GB that registers roughly the same so I'm glad that I have enough space to actually use it as a file server now.

Cheers for the help guys,

Arthur

[Smitro]

A quick google found this:

http://compreviews.about.com/od/storage/a/ActualHDSizes.htm

Might be of interest.

[arthurhanlon]

Thanks, actually quite interesting. Consider it bookmarked.

Arthur