Size of hard disk question

September 7, 2007

Are there any limits to the size of the hard disk I can run on a W98SE box?

When formatting a hard disk, can I simply use the format utility provided by

W98, or do I have to do special things to do with FAT etc.

Thank you,

Adrian.

September 8, 2007

Re: Size of hard disk question

Adrian wrote:

> Are there any limits to the size of the hard disk I can run on

> a W98SE box?

Before I post an answer, let me ask you a question.

Did you try to search for an answer to your own question, say on

google groups?

Did you point your browser to, say, http://www.google.com, hit the "groups"

link, then enter the following into the search box:

maximum hard drive windows 98

or

largest hard drive windows 98

then hit the "search groups" button?

I'm just curious if you even thought of doing that.

September 8, 2007

Re: Size of hard disk question

"98 Guy" <98@Guy.com> wrote in message news:46E1F81A.949C463@Guy.com...

> Adrian wrote:

>

>> Are there any limits to the size of the hard disk I can run on

>> a W98SE box?

>

> Before I post an answer, let me ask you a question.

>

> Did you try to search for an answer to your own question, say on

> google groups?

>

> Did you point your browser to, say, http://www.google.com, hit the "groups"

> link, then enter the following into the search box:

>

> maximum hard drive windows 98

>

> or

>

> largest hard drive windows 98

>

> then hit the "search groups" button?

>

> I'm just curious if you even thought of doing that.

Good question, but no, I did not, because I go to the place that is most

specialized in the domain to which my question belongs. If the information

is not readily available there I would expect that there, in particular, I

might find a reference to it. I think Google is getting a bit over-hyped as

the holy source of all knowledge.

Adrian.

September 8, 2007

Re: Size of hard disk question

"Adrian" <xx@xx.xx> wrote in message

news:46e19d4a$0$24409$5fc3050@news.tiscali.nl...

> Are there any limits to the size of the hard disk I can run on a W98SE

box?

> When formatting a hard disk, can I simply use the format utility provided

by

> W98, or do I have to do special things to do with FAT etc.

Most Win98 PCs can format logical drives (IDE) up to

135 Gb. Older PCs might be limited by the BIOS

to about 40 Gb. Preformatted drives connected via

USB (i.e. not IDE) may be larger.

--

Don Phillipson

Carlsbad Springs

(Ottawa, Canada)

September 8, 2007

Re: Size of hard disk question

"Adrian" <xx@xx.xx> wrote in message

news:46e228a2$0$24393$5fc3050@news.tiscali.nl...

| "98 Guy" <98@Guy.com> wrote in message news:46E1F81A.949C463@Guy.com...

| > Adrian wrote:

| >

| >> Are there any limits to the size of the hard disk I can run on

| >> a W98SE box?

| >

| > Before I post an answer, let me ask you a question.

| >

| > Did you try to search for an answer to your own question, say on

| > google groups?

| >

| > Did you point your browser to, say, http://www.google.com, hit the "groups"

| > link, then enter the following into the search box:

| >

| > maximum hard drive windows 98

| >

| > or

| >

| > largest hard drive windows 98

| >

| > then hit the "search groups" button?

| >

| > I'm just curious if you even thought of doing that.

|

| Good question, but no, I did not, because I go to the place that is most

| specialized in the domain to which my question belongs. If the information

| is not readily available there I would expect that there, in particular, I

| might find a reference to it. I think Google is getting a bit over-hyped

as

| the holy source of all knowledge.

|

| Adrian.

|

Hi Adrian, the reason 98Guy directed you to do so, is because he believes

he created the foremost authority for that information... of course Google

will turn up loads of information related to hard drive size, much of which

MAY NOT be accurate.

Depending upon your computer mother board, connection type [sATA, PATA/IDE,

SCSI, USB, firewire, etc.] you may have differing success rates.

If you wish the groups best response, please supply the group with your

intended setup/arrangement so the people can help you properly.

--

MEB

http://peoplescounsel.orgfree.com

________

September 8, 2007

Re: Size of hard disk question

"MEB" <meb@not here@hotmail.com> wrote in message

news:eGBgiXe8HHA.1900@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>

> Hi Adrian, the reason 98Guy directed you to do so, is because he believes

> he created the foremost authority for that information... of course Google

> will turn up loads of information related to hard drive size, much of

> which

> MAY NOT be accurate.

>

> Depending upon your computer mother board, connection type [sATA,

> PATA/IDE,

> SCSI, USB, firewire, etc.] you may have differing success rates.

>

> If you wish the groups best response, please supply the group with your

> intended setup/arrangement so the people can help you properly.

> --

> MEB

"supply the group with your intended setup/arrangement" ... I am unsure what

that information would be.

The manual of the W98 box is dated 1997. The name of the PC is "Highscreen",

The BIOS is an "Award Modular BIOS V4 51 PG. An Energy Star Ally. Copyright

1984 - 1998. Award Software Inc. VMP 1.0B3 MSI MS-6119". The BIOS screen

says: "ROM PCI/ISA BIOS (2A69KM4A) STANDARD CMOS SETUP AWARD SOFTWARE, INC".

I am wanting to exchange the current hard drive which is about 3 GB to one

as large as possible. The documentation of the W98 Box reads something like

"the HDD has an IDE-connection". With the help of Ingeborg of this forum I

am using the W98 as a data store in a simple LAN (modem + router + cables)

together with two other boxes, an XPP and a VISTA machine.

Well, I would be interested in 98Guy's information, he might like to give me

the reference to it. Going by your response, and Don Phillipson's, it seems

I am limited to IDE and should contact the BIOS manufacturer to ascertain

the limits I should heed. Does the mother board of the PC restrict my choice

of a replacement disk to an IDE-drive or is does the BIOS? I would expect

the BIOS to do that - would you please confirm that? Any furhter directives

would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Adrian.

September 8, 2007

Re: Size of hard disk question

On Sat, 8 Sep 2007 04:03:53 +0200, "Adrian" <xx@xx.xx> put finger to

keyboard and composed:

>"98 Guy" <98@Guy.com> wrote in message news:46E1F81A.949C463@Guy.com...

>> Adrian wrote:

>>

>>> Are there any limits to the size of the hard disk I can run on

>>> a W98SE box?

>>

>> Before I post an answer, let me ask you a question.

>>

>> Did you try to search for an answer to your own question, say on

>> google groups?

>>

>> Did you point your browser to, say, http://www.google.com, hit the "groups"

>> link, then enter the following into the search box:

>>

>> maximum hard drive windows 98

>>

>> or

>>

>> largest hard drive windows 98

>>

>> then hit the "search groups" button?

>>

>> I'm just curious if you even thought of doing that.

>

>Good question, but no, I did not, because I go to the place that is most

>specialized in the domain to which my question belongs. If the information

>is not readily available there I would expect that there, in particular, I

>might find a reference to it. I think Google is getting a bit over-hyped as

>the holy source of all knowledge.

>

>Adrian.

I wouldn't use google.com, either, at least not for this question.

I'd try Google Groups instead:

http://tinyurl.com/2n6fjd

http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&q=largest+%22hard+drive%22+%22windows+98%22+group%3Amicrosoft.public.win98.gen_discussion&Submit3=Search

- Franc Zabkar

--

Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

September 8, 2007

Re: Size of hard disk question

"Adrian" <xx@xx.xx> wrote in message news:46e25ac0$0$24400$5fc3050@news.tiscali.nl...

> "MEB" <meb@not here@hotmail.com> wrote in message

> news:eGBgiXe8HHA.1900@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>

>> Hi Adrian, the reason 98Guy directed you to do so, is because he believes

>> he created the foremost authority for that information... of course Google

>> will turn up loads of information related to hard drive size, much of which

>> MAY NOT be accurate.

>>

>> Depending upon your computer mother board, connection type [sATA, PATA/IDE,

>> SCSI, USB, firewire, etc.] you may have differing success rates.

>>

>> If you wish the groups best response, please supply the group with your

>> intended setup/arrangement so the people can help you properly.

>> --

>> MEB

>

> "supply the group with your intended setup/arrangement" ... I am unsure what that

> information would be.

>

> The manual of the W98 box is dated 1997. The name of the PC is "Highscreen", The

> 1998. Award Software Inc. VMP 1.0B3 MSI MS-6119". The BIOS screen says: "ROM

> PCI/ISA BIOS (2A69KM4A) STANDARD CMOS SETUP AWARD SOFTWARE, INC". I am wanting to

> exchange the current hard drive which is about 3 GB to one as large as possible.

> The documentation of the W98 Box reads something like "the HDD has an

> IDE-connection". With the help of Ingeborg of this forum I am using the W98 as a

> data store in a simple LAN (modem + router + cables) together with two other boxes,

> an XPP and a VISTA machine.

>

> Well, I would be interested in 98Guy's information, he might like to give me the

> reference to it. Going by your response, and Don Phillipson's, it seems I am

> limited to IDE and should contact the BIOS manufacturer to ascertain the limits I

> should heed. Does the mother board of the PC restrict my choice of a replacement

> disk to an IDE-drive or is does the BIOS? I would expect the BIOS to do that -

> would you please confirm that? Any furhter directives would be greatly appreciated.

According to the information you provided the installed motherboard is an MSI

MS-6119:

http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?func=proddesc&prod_no=332&maincat_no=1&cat2_no=170&cat3_no=109

It's an old Slot1 board and has no SATA support, you will have to purchase/use an

PATA drive.

It supports UDMA33, there is a BIOS update 6/14/1999 that includes detection of

UDMA66.

For hard drives larger than 65GB there is a BIOS update 8/21/2000.

Before updating the BIOS make sure the updates are valid for your motherboard.

http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?func=downloaddetail&type=bios&maincat_no=1&prod_no=332

For large hard drive issues with FDISK:

Windows Support for Large IDE Hard Disks

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/126855/en-us

Fdisk Does Not Recognize Full Size of Hard Disks Larger than 64 GB

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;263044

The Fdisk.exe utility may not be able to create a hard disk partition that is larger

than 128 GB

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;327202

Fdisk.exe Unable to Partition Drives Larger Than 512 Gigabytes

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;280737

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }

Conflicts start where information lacks.

http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

September 8, 2007

Re: Size of hard disk question

Adrian wrote:

> Well, I would be interested in 98Guy's information, he might like

> to give me the reference to it.

He did in his first response.

_____________

> Does the

> mother board of the PC restrict my choice of a replacement disk to

> an IDE-drive or is does the BIOS?

Where does the BIOS live?

--

dadiOH

____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...

....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from

LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.

Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

September 8, 2007

Re: Size of hard disk question

On Sat, 08 Sep 2007 12:49:19 +0200, Brian A. <gonefish'n@afarawaylake>

wrote:

>

> According to the information you provided the installed motherboard is

> an MSI MS-6119:

> http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?func=proddesc&prod_no=332&maincat_no=1&cat2_no=170&cat3_no=109

>

> It's an old Slot1 board and has no SATA support, you will have to

> purchase/use an PATA drive.

> It supports UDMA33, there is a BIOS update 6/14/1999 that includes

> detection of UDMA66.

> For hard drives larger than 65GB there is a BIOS update 8/21/2000.

>

> Before updating the BIOS make sure the updates are valid for your

> motherboard.

> http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?func=downloaddetail&type=bios&maincat_no=1&prod_no=332

>

> For large hard drive issues with FDISK:

> Windows Support for Large IDE Hard Disks

> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/126855/en-us

>

> Fdisk Does Not Recognize Full Size of Hard Disks Larger than 64 GB

> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;263044

>

> The Fdisk.exe utility may not be able to create a hard disk partition

> that is larger than 128 GB

> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;327202

Wow, that's a dangerous one! It tells you how to create a partition

bigger than 128GiB,

without warning that W98 will screw it.

> Fdisk.exe Unable to Partition Drives Larger Than 512 Gigabytes

> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;280737

I miss one very important problem here, the LBA28 issue. This mobo will

not support LBA48, and so it cannot handle IDE disks bigger than 128GiB.

<http://www.48bitlba.com/win98.htm>

Three ways to solve this:

1) Use a PCI-IDE card using it's own BIOS and W98 drivers.

2) Use an USB 2 card (make sure that W98SE drivers are available) and use

an external closure. (make sure ... drivers)

Downside is that unless you're using 2.5" drives which can be powered from

the USB, the disks will not be switched off with the computer, and so use

more electricity.

3) Use a SCSI card with SCSI disks. Downside are the costs of the SCSI

disks.

September 8, 2007

Re: Size of hard disk question

"Brian A." <gonefish'n@afarawaylake> wrote in message

news:O54OuXg8HHA.4612@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

> "Adrian" <xx@xx.xx> wrote in message

> news:46e25ac0$0$24400$5fc3050@news.tiscali.nl...

>> "MEB" <meb@not here@hotmail.com> wrote in message

>> news:eGBgiXe8HHA.1900@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

>>>

>>> Hi Adrian, the reason 98Guy directed you to do so, is because he

>>> believes

>>> he created the foremost authority for that information... of course

>>> Google

>>> will turn up loads of information related to hard drive size, much of

>>> which

>>> MAY NOT be accurate.

>>>

>>> Depending upon your computer mother board, connection type [sATA,

>>> PATA/IDE,

>>> SCSI, USB, firewire, etc.] you may have differing success rates.

>>>

>>> If you wish the groups best response, please supply the group with your

>>> intended setup/arrangement so the people can help you properly.

>>> --

>>> MEB

>>

>> "supply the group with your intended setup/arrangement" ... I am unsure

>> what that information would be.

>>

>> The manual of the W98 box is dated 1997. The name of the PC is

>> "Highscreen", The BIOS is an "Award Modular BIOS V4 51 PG. An Energy Star

>> The BIOS screen says: "ROM PCI/ISA BIOS (2A69KM4A) STANDARD CMOS SETUP

>> AWARD SOFTWARE, INC". I am wanting to exchange the current hard drive

>> which is about 3 GB to one as large as possible. The documentation of the

>> W98 Box reads something like "the HDD has an IDE-connection". With the

>> help of Ingeborg of this forum I am using the W98 as a data store in a

>> simple LAN (modem + router + cables) together with two other boxes, an

>> XPP and a VISTA machine.

>>

>> Well, I would be interested in 98Guy's information, he might like to give

>> me the reference to it. Going by your response, and Don Phillipson's, it

>> seems I am limited to IDE and should contact the BIOS manufacturer to

>> ascertain the limits I should heed. Does the mother board of the PC

>> restrict my choice of a replacement disk to an IDE-drive or is does the

>> BIOS? I would expect the BIOS to do that - would you please confirm that?

>> Any furhter directives would be greatly appreciated.

>

> According to the information you provided the installed motherboard is an

> MSI MS-6119:

> http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?func=proddesc&prod_no=332&maincat_no=1&cat2_no=170&cat3_no=109

>

> It's an old Slot1 board and has no SATA support, you will have to

> purchase/use an PATA drive.

> It supports UDMA33, there is a BIOS update 6/14/1999 that includes

> detection of UDMA66.

> For hard drives larger than 65GB there is a BIOS update 8/21/2000.

>

> Before updating the BIOS make sure the updates are valid for your

> motherboard.

> http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?func=downloaddetail&type=bios&maincat_no=1&prod_no=332

>

> For large hard drive issues with FDISK:

> Windows Support for Large IDE Hard Disks

> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/126855/en-us

>

> Fdisk Does Not Recognize Full Size of Hard Disks Larger than 64 GB

> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;263044

>

> The Fdisk.exe utility may not be able to create a hard disk partition that

> is larger than 128 GB

> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;327202

>

> Fdisk.exe Unable to Partition Drives Larger Than 512 Gigabytes

> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;280737

>

> --

>

> Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }

> Conflicts start where information lacks.

> http://basconotw.mvps.org/

>

> Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

> How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

>

Brian,

This is brilliant. Thank you very much.

Adrian.

September 8, 2007

Re: Size of hard disk question

"Don Phillipson" <d.phillipsonSPAMBLOCK@rogers.com> wrote in message

news:eDkfUXe8HHA.748@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...

> "Adrian" <xx@xx.xx> wrote in message

> news:46e19d4a$0$24409$5fc3050@news.tiscali.nl...

>

>> Are there any limits to the size of the hard disk I can run on a W98SE

> box?

>> When formatting a hard disk, can I simply use the format utility provided

> by

>> W98, or do I have to do special things to do with FAT etc.

>

> Most Win98 PCs can format logical drives (IDE) up to

> 135 Gb. Older PCs might be limited by the BIOS

> to about 40 Gb. Preformatted drives connected via

> USB (i.e. not IDE) may be larger.

>

> --

> Don Phillipson

> Carlsbad Springs

> (Ottawa, Canada)

>

Don, Thank you very much. Adrian

September 8, 2007

Re: Size of hard disk question

"Franc Zabkar" <fzabkar@iinternode.on.net> wrote in message

news:dvs4e3lt0kvsev02pcib1kcrfftfcjjptp@4ax.com...

> On Sat, 8 Sep 2007 04:03:53 +0200, "Adrian" <xx@xx.xx> put finger to

> keyboard and composed:

>

>>"98 Guy" <98@Guy.com> wrote in message news:46E1F81A.949C463@Guy.com...

>>> Adrian wrote:

>>>

>>>> Are there any limits to the size of the hard disk I can run on

>>>> a W98SE box?

>>>

>>> Before I post an answer, let me ask you a question.

>>>

>>> Did you try to search for an answer to your own question, say on

>>> google groups?

>>>

>>> Did you point your browser to, say, http://www.google.com, hit the "groups"

>>> link, then enter the following into the search box:

>>>

>>> maximum hard drive windows 98

>>>

>>> or

>>>

>>> largest hard drive windows 98

>>>

>>> then hit the "search groups" button?

>>>

>>> I'm just curious if you even thought of doing that.

>>

>>Good question, but no, I did not, because I go to the place that is most

>>specialized in the domain to which my question belongs. If the information

>>is not readily available there I would expect that there, in particular, I

>>might find a reference to it. I think Google is getting a bit over-hyped

>>as

>>the holy source of all knowledge.

>>

>>Adrian.

>

> I wouldn't use google.com, either, at least not for this question.

>

> I'd try Google Groups instead:

> http://tinyurl.com/2n6fjd

> http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=en&q=largest+%22hard+drive%22+%22windows+98%22+group%3Amicrosoft.public.win98.gen_discussion&Submit3=Search

>

> - Franc Zabkar

> --

> Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

Franc, I shall follow up your leads, thank you. Adrian.

September 8, 2007

Re: Size of hard disk question

"dadiOH" <dadiOH@guesswhere.com> wrote in message

news:uhGEmag8HHA.5360@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...

> Adrian wrote:

>

>> Well, I would be interested in 98Guy's information, he might like

>> to give me the reference to it.

>

> He did in his first response.

> _____________

>

>> Does the

>> mother board of the PC restrict my choice of a replacement disk to

>> an IDE-drive or is does the BIOS?

>

> Where does the BIOS live?

>

On the mother board I guess :)

Adrian.

September 8, 2007

Re: Size of hard disk question

"Ingeborg" <a@b.invalid> wrote in message

news:op.tyb13lpukpmw55@naaikamer...

On Sat, 08 Sep 2007 12:49:19 +0200, Brian A. <gonefish'n@afarawaylake>

wrote:

>

> According to the information you provided the installed motherboard is

> an MSI MS-6119:

> http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?func=proddesc&prod_no=332&maincat_no=1&cat2_no=170&cat3_no=109

>

> It's an old Slot1 board and has no SATA support, you will have to

> purchase/use an PATA drive.

> It supports UDMA33, there is a BIOS update 6/14/1999 that includes

> detection of UDMA66.

> For hard drives larger than 65GB there is a BIOS update 8/21/2000.

>

> Before updating the BIOS make sure the updates are valid for your

> motherboard.

> http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?func=downloaddetail&type=bios&maincat_no=1&prod_no=332

>

> For large hard drive issues with FDISK:

> Windows Support for Large IDE Hard Disks

> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/126855/en-us

>

> Fdisk Does Not Recognize Full Size of Hard Disks Larger than 64 GB

> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;263044

>

> The Fdisk.exe utility may not be able to create a hard disk partition

> that is larger than 128 GB

> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;327202

Wow, that's a dangerous one! It tells you how to create a partition

bigger than 128GiB,

without warning that W98 will screw it.

> Fdisk.exe Unable to Partition Drives Larger Than 512 Gigabytes

> http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;280737

I miss one very important problem here, the LBA28 issue. This mobo will

not support LBA48, and so it cannot handle IDE disks bigger than 128GiB.

<http://www.48bitlba.com/win98.htm>

Three ways to solve this:

1) Use a PCI-IDE card using it's own BIOS and W98 drivers.

2) Use an USB 2 card (make sure that W98SE drivers are available) and use

an external closure. (make sure ... drivers)

Downside is that unless you're using 2.5" drives which can be powered from

the USB, the disks will not be switched off with the computer, and so use

more electricity.

3) Use a SCSI card with SCSI disks. Downside are the costs of the SCSI

disks.

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

Wouw! Thanks again Ingeborg.

Re 1) The motherboard has a ide-controller, so your option would mean adding

a card = new interface to a hdd with a BIOS and its own drivers, so the

current parameters of the W98 box would not be relevant - is that it? But

that would not be purchasable - am I misunderstanding?

Adrian

September 8, 2007

Re: Size of hard disk question

Adrian wrote:

> Wouw! Thanks again Ingeborg.

> Re 1) The motherboard has a ide-controller, so your option would

> mean adding a card = new interface to a hdd with a BIOS and its own

> drivers, so the current parameters of the W98 box would not be

> relevant - is that it? But that would not be purchasable - am I

> misunderstanding?

Yes you are. There are many PCI IDE cards available, generally < $30.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=pci+ide+card

--

dadiOH

____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...

....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from

LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.

Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

September 8, 2007

Re: Size of hard disk question

"dadiOH" <dadiOH@guesswhere.com> wrote in message

news:%23AoEfEi8HHA.2208@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

> Adrian wrote:

>

>> Wouw! Thanks again Ingeborg.

>> Re 1) The motherboard has a ide-controller, so your option would

>> mean adding a card = new interface to a hdd with a BIOS and its own

>> drivers, so the current parameters of the W98 box would not be

>> relevant - is that it? But that would not be purchasable - am I

>> misunderstanding?

>

> Yes you are. There are many PCI IDE cards available, generally < $30.

> http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=pci+ide+card

>

> --

>

> dadiOH

> ____________________________

>

> dadiOH's dandies v3.06...

> ...a help file of info about MP3s, recording from

> LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.

> Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

>

DadiOH, I went to the local computer parts shop and was told that no way can

I install a hdd > 40 Gig on a W98 box simply because the OS couldn't handle

it, even if I installed a PCI-IDE card. (What about drivers though?) And

drives < 40 Gig are no longer sold. I thought this supported a different

story, but was told it didn't.

http://www.zone6400.com/manual/files/Install_IDE_card.html

Adrian.

September 8, 2007

Re: Size of hard disk question

Adrian wrote:

> >> Are there any limits to the size of the hard disk I can run on

> >> a W98SE box?

> >

> > Did you try to search for an answer to your own question, say on

> > google groups?

>

> Good question, but no, I did not

You didn't do your own search first, or you didn't think of doing your

own search first?

> because I go to the place that is most specialized in the

> domain to which my question belongs.

Is that the reason you came up with after not doing your own search,

or before?

With regard to your question, do you not think that your question has

already come up a number of times over the past few years, and that

some of us might get tired of seeing it and posting the same answer?

> I think Google is getting a bit over-hyped as the holy source

> of all knowledge.

I don't want to call you ignorant, but the google-groups search is a

way to search usenet for old posts. Google doesn't own or operate

usenet, but they do offer one of the few ways to perform a search on

their own comprehensive collection of usenet posts.

You seem to be trying to justify your reasons for not first performing

a search for your answer before posting the question. It would have

been better for you to just say that you're too dis-interested (or

lazy) to have done that, or to have gone back and looked at a few

months worth of postings to this newsgroup.

September 8, 2007

Re: Size of hard disk question

"98 Guy" <98@Guy.com> wrote in message news:46E2C793.2E587CF@Guy.com...

> With regard to your question, do you not think that your question has

> already come up a number of times over the past few years,

The thought hadn't occurred to me.

> and that

> some of us might get tired of seeing it and posting the same answer?

Then don't.

Adrian.

September 8, 2007

Re: Size of hard disk question

Adrian wrote:

> "dadiOH" <dadiOH@guesswhere.com> wrote in message

> news:%23AoEfEi8HHA.2208@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>> Adrian wrote:

>>

>>> Wouw! Thanks again Ingeborg.

>>> Re 1) The motherboard has a ide-controller, so your option would

>>> mean adding a card = new interface to a hdd with a BIOS and its

>>> own drivers, so the current parameters of the W98 box would not be

>>> relevant - is that it? But that would not be purchasable - am I

>>> misunderstanding?

>>

>> Yes you are. There are many PCI IDE cards available, generally <

>> $30. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=pci+ide+card

> DadiOH, I went to the local computer parts shop and was told that

> no way can I install a hdd > 40 Gig on a W98 box simply because the

> OS couldn't handle it, even if I installed a PCI-IDE card. (What

> about drivers though?) And drives < 40 Gig are no longer sold.

They are either lying or misinformed. Or stupid. Or all three.

Win98 SE DOES have a limit - around 128 GB IIRC. A "driver" is just a

program that does low level stuff and with which users don't normally

interact...programs to access hardware, etc. There is nothing magical

about them and the cards come with software. They are easy to

install...put the card in a free slot on the motherboard and follow

the written instructions. They give you two channels which means

they'll handle four drives.

I have four physical hard drives on my Win 98SE machine...

#1. 76.3 GB (80 GB)

#2. 112 GB (120 GB)

#3. 153 GB (160 GB)

#4. 9.6 GB (10 GB)

#1 is on the primary mobo channel (CD & DVD drives on the other)

#2 & #3 are are each masters on separate channels on an add on card.

#4 is a slave on one of the add on card channels. It is never used

except to once in a blue moon to back up the primary drive from my

wife's machine.

I have zero problems.

You have no problem using a larger drive - up to 128 +- GB - with

Win98SE on a mobo channel. You *might* have a problem because your

BIOS is old. BIOS can be updated. I do not know if an add in card

would overcome a BIOS drive size limitation but I suspect it would.

--

dadiOH

____________________________

dadiOH's dandies v3.06...

....a help file of info about MP3s, recording from

LP/cassette and tips & tricks on this and that.

Get it at http://mysite.verizon.net/xico

September 8, 2007

Re: Size of hard disk question

"Ingeborg" <a@b.invalid> wrote in message

news:op.tyb13lpukpmw55@naaikamer...

On Sat, 08 Sep 2007 12:49:19 +0200, Brian A. <gonefish'n@afarawaylake>

wrote:

Three ways to solve this:

1) Use a PCI-IDE card using it's own BIOS and W98 drivers.

2) Use an USB 2 card (make sure that W98SE drivers are available) and use

an external closure. (make sure ... drivers)

Downside is that unless you're using 2.5" drives which can be powered from

the USB, the disks will not be switched off with the computer, and so use

more electricity.

3) Use a SCSI card with SCSI disks. Downside are the costs of the SCSI

disks.

-----

Ingeborg, this discussion has left me confused.

At a computer parts shop I was told that, because of processor limitations,

(1.) in no way will W98 support > 40 Gig HDDs.

(2.) a HDD via the USB port isn't feasible.

(1.) You seem to suggest that a PCI-IDE card could overcome the mobo

limitations. If so, how would I obtain the required W98 drivers?

(2.) Should the USB option be feasible, the power issue makes it

unattractive.

Given that I am finding myself in uncharted waters, would you please

formulate a conclusion to the excellent posts that have been done re my

question, because I am quite lost (apart from having made one person "sick

and tired").

Adrian.

September 8, 2007

Re: Size of hard disk question

Adrian wrote:

>> I went to the local computer parts shop and was told that

>> no way can I install a hdd > 40 Gig on a W98 box simply because the

>> OS couldn't handle it, even if I installed a PCI-IDE card. (What

>> about drivers though?) And drives < 40 Gig are no longer sold.

They don't know where they are talking about. (Groningers zeker?) W9x uses

an 32 bit sector address internally, so theoretically it could address 2^32

* 512 (default sector size) = 2199023255552 bytes ~ 2000 GiB. However, W98

standard uses a IDE driver which can use only 28 bits (LBA28 addressing),

which limits it to 2^28 * 512 = 137438953472 bytes = 128 GiB. To overcome

this 128 GiB limit you'll have to use 3rth party IDE drivers which

implements LBA48, which you can find here:

<http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=78592>

dadiOH wrote:

> You have no problem using a larger drive - up to 128 +- GB - with

> Win98SE on a mobo channel. You *might* have a problem because your

> BIOS is old. BIOS can be updated. I do not know if an add in card

> would overcome a BIOS drive size limitation but I suspect it would.

>

The 128GiB problem is a two trap problem for W98. W98 relies on DOS to get

the drive letters, and DOS relies on the BIOS to get partition information.

But W98 will use it's own driver to access the disk. So both W98 and the

BIOS has to handle LBA48 (48 bit sector addressing) to be able to access

drives above 128GiB.

The OP's BIOS will not handle LBA48. According to Brian A. the youngest

BIOS for his mobo is dated 8/21/2000. To support LBA48 it should be from

2002.

The magic of an add in IDE card is that is comes with its own BIOS, and

that it has W98 drivers, covering both traps of the problem.

September 8, 2007

Re: Size of hard disk question

Adrian wrote:

>

> "Ingeborg" <a@b.invalid> wrote in message

> news:op.tyb13lpukpmw55@naaikamer...

> On Sat, 08 Sep 2007 12:49:19 +0200, Brian A. <gonefish'n@afarawaylake>

> wrote:

> <snipped>

>

> Three ways to solve this:

> 1) Use a PCI-IDE card using it's own BIOS and W98 drivers.

> 2) Use an USB 2 card (make sure that W98SE drivers are available) and

> use an external closure. (make sure ... drivers)

> Downside is that unless you're using 2.5" drives which can be powered

> from the USB, the disks will not be switched off with the computer,

> and so use more electricity.

> 3) Use a SCSI card with SCSI disks. Downside are the costs of the SCSI

> disks.

>

> -----

> Ingeborg, this discussion has left me confused.

>

> At a computer parts shop I was told that, because of processor

> limitations,

> (1.) in no way will W98 support > 40 Gig HDDs.

That's bull****. Out off the box W98SE can handle *IDE* drives up to 128

GiB, and SCSI and USB drives have AFAIK a limit of 2 TiB.

> (2.) a HDD via the USB port isn't feasible.

Depends on what you want to do with it. You can't boot W98 from an USB

disk. But as long as you boot from an internal disk you can use an

external disk for data storage. That will be slower, and consume more

processor time, but since this computer has nothing to but fileserving,

and the network is the bottleneck, this shouldn't be a problem. (As long

as you've got USB2. The standard USB1.1 on your mobo *will* be the

bottleneck. USB1.1 does 11 Mbit, your network 100 Mbit, and USB2 480

Mbit.

> (1.) You seem to suggest that a PCI-IDE card could overcome the mobo

> limitations.

Yes. I discussed that somewhere else in this thread.

> If so, how would I obtain the required W98 drivers?

They should be provided with the card. If not, first have a look on the

vendors website. If the vendor doesn't provide it, you'll have to look

for another one.

> (2.) Should the USB option be feasible, the power issue makes it

> unattractive.

I agree.

> Given that I am finding myself in uncharted waters, would you please

> formulate a conclusion to the excellent posts that have been done re

> my question, because I am quite lost

See my post to dadiOH in this thread. A PCI IDE card should overcome all

your problems.

> (apart from having made one person "sick and tired").

98 guy has forgotten that the problem is old for him, but new to anybody

who stumbles over it. And that it's difficult to search for a solution

when you don't know what the problem could be.

September 8, 2007

Re: Size of hard disk question

"Ingeborg" <a@b.invalid> wrote in message

news:Xns99A5CF8BBD1CFabinvalid@207.46.248.16...

> Adrian wrote:

>

>>

>> "Ingeborg" <a@b.invalid> wrote in message

>> news:op.tyb13lpukpmw55@naaikamer...

>> On Sat, 08 Sep 2007 12:49:19 +0200, Brian A. <gonefish'n@afarawaylake>

>> wrote:

>> <snipped>

>>

>> Three ways to solve this:

>> 1) Use a PCI-IDE card using it's own BIOS and W98 drivers.

>> 2) Use an USB 2 card (make sure that W98SE drivers are available) and

>> use an external closure. (make sure ... drivers)

>> Downside is that unless you're using 2.5" drives which can be powered

>> from the USB, the disks will not be switched off with the computer,

>> and so use more electricity.

>> 3) Use a SCSI card with SCSI disks. Downside are the costs of the SCSI

>> disks.

>>

>> -----

>> Ingeborg, this discussion has left me confused.

>>

>> At a computer parts shop I was told that, because of processor

>> limitations,

>> (1.) in no way will W98 support > 40 Gig HDDs.

>

> That's bull****. Out off the box W98SE can handle *IDE* drives up to 128

> GiB, and SCSI and USB drives have AFAIK a limit of 2 TiB.

>

>> (2.) a HDD via the USB port isn't feasible.

>

> Depends on what you want to do with it. You can't boot W98 from an USB

> disk. But as long as you boot from an internal disk you can use an

> external disk for data storage. That will be slower, and consume more

> processor time, but since this computer has nothing to but fileserving,

> and the network is the bottleneck, this shouldn't be a problem. (As long

> as you've got USB2. The standard USB1.1 on your mobo *will* be the

> bottleneck. USB1.1 does 11 Mbit, your network 100 Mbit, and USB2 480

> Mbit.

>

>> (1.) You seem to suggest that a PCI-IDE card could overcome the mobo

>> limitations.

>

> Yes. I discussed that somewhere else in this thread.

>

>> If so, how would I obtain the required W98 drivers?

>

> They should be provided with the card. If not, first have a look on the

> vendors website. If the vendor doesn't provide it, you'll have to look

> for another one.

>

>> (2.) Should the USB option be feasible, the power issue makes it

>> unattractive.

>

> I agree.

>

>> Given that I am finding myself in uncharted waters, would you please

>> formulate a conclusion to the excellent posts that have been done re

>> my question, because I am quite lost

>

> See my post to dadiOH in this thread. A PCI IDE card should overcome all

> your problems.

>

>> (apart from having made one person "sick and tired").

>

> 98 guy has forgotten that the problem is old for him, but new to anybody

> who stumbles over it. And that it's difficult to search for a solution

> when you don't know what the problem could be.

-----

Ingeborg,

Thank you. What you say is transparent and clear. I will get cracking.

Regards,

Adrian.

September 8, 2007

Re: Size of hard disk question

"dadiOH" <dadiOH@guesswhere.com> wrote in message

news:%23Zjrdsj8HHA.5424@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...

> Adrian wrote:

>> "dadiOH" <dadiOH@guesswhere.com> wrote in message

>> news:%23AoEfEi8HHA.2208@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...

>>> Adrian wrote:

>>>

>>>> Wouw! Thanks again Ingeborg.

>>>> Re 1) The motherboard has a ide-controller, so your option would

>>>> mean adding a card = new interface to a hdd with a BIOS and its

>>>> own drivers, so the current parameters of the W98 box would not be

>>>> relevant - is that it? But that would not be purchasable - am I

>>>> misunderstanding?

>>>

>>> Yes you are. There are many PCI IDE cards available, generally <

>>> $30. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=pci+ide+card

>

>> DadiOH, I went to the local computer parts shop and was told that

>> no way can I install a hdd > 40 Gig on a W98 box simply because the

>> OS couldn't handle it, even if I installed a PCI-IDE card. (What

>> about drivers though?) And drives < 40 Gig are no longer sold.

>

> They are either lying or misinformed. Or stupid. Or all three.

>

> Win98 SE DOES have a limit - around 128 GB IIRC. A "driver" is just a

> program that does low level stuff and with which users don't normally

> interact...programs to access hardware, etc. There is nothing magical

> about them and the cards come with software. They are easy to

> install...put the card in a free slot on the motherboard and follow

> the written instructions. They give you two channels which means

> they'll handle four drives.

>

> I have four physical hard drives on my Win 98SE machine...

> #1. 76.3 GB (80 GB)

> #2. 112 GB (120 GB)

> #3. 153 GB (160 GB)

> #4. 9.6 GB (10 GB)

>

> #1 is on the primary mobo channel (CD & DVD drives on the other)

>

> #2 & #3 are are each masters on separate channels on an add on card.

>

> #4 is a slave on one of the add on card channels. It is never used

> except to once in a blue moon to back up the primary drive from my

> wife's machine.

>

> I have zero problems.

>

> You have no problem using a larger drive - up to 128 +- GB - with

> Win98SE on a mobo channel. You *might* have a problem because your

> BIOS is old. BIOS can be updated. I do not know if an add in card

> would overcome a BIOS drive size limitation but I suspect it would.

>

> --

>

> dadiOH

-----

Well dadiOH that is a relief. (I also read Ingeborg.)

I cannot update the BIOS: I tried. No update available.

I shall give it a try and see where it leads me.

Many thanks.

Adrian.

Sign In

Size of hard disk question

Recommended Posts

Guest Adrian

Popular Days

Popular Days

Guest 98 Guy

Guest Adrian

Guest Don Phillipson

Guest MEB

Guest Adrian

Guest Franc Zabkar

Guest Brian A.

Guest dadiOH

Guest Ingeborg

Guest Adrian

Guest Adrian

Guest Adrian

Guest Adrian

Guest Adrian

Guest dadiOH

Guest Adrian

Guest 98 Guy

Guest Adrian

Guest dadiOH

Guest Adrian

Guest Ingeborg

Guest Ingeborg

Guest Adrian

Guest Adrian

Similar Content

Wrong Hard Disk size after Cluster change from 4KB to 64KB

Exchange 2019 resource mailbox size management questions

Broken Hard Drive

I have another question on this topic. That is, my disk was not formatted?, all the files on my desktop are still there

I initialized a ssd with the wrong size

Browse

Activity

Site Info