also @ TechSpot: USB 3.0-equipped PCs due before end of the year
Welcome to the TechSpot OpenBoards. Please read the FAQ if you have any questions. Login to participate.

Go Back   TechSpot OpenBoards > Hardware & Tweaking > Mobile Computing

New 250Gb showing 137Gb on a Dell 1100 bios

Reply
Bookmark Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 01-06-2009
Newcomer, in training
 
Member since: Dec 2008, 13 posts
New 250Gb showing 137Gb on a Dell 1100 bios

I had a password locked HD(30Gb), that I finally gave up on. I purchased a 250Gb replacement drive. When I go into the bios to check to see if the system detects it, it show 137Gb, when it did not show anything with the locked HD. I also check to see if there was a bios update, but there was none, just the same as what's already on my 1100. I thought I'd try to use the new drive, while I wait for another replacement, it started to format at 250Gb.

I just wondering why it shows 137Gb. I know this is an issue with some older bios and P3 systems, but I did not expect it with a P4 system.

Anyone else experience this? Any problems if I keep the 250Gb installed, or should I order a 120Gb.

TIA

CB
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-06-2009
TechSpot Evangelist
 
Location: Four Corners, US
Member since: Dec 2006, 7,538 posts
Usually this problem is caused by formatting the drive with a verision of Windows XP that has no Service Pack, Service Pack 1, or Service Pack 1a. None of those will format higher than 137 GB.
If you switch to an install disk with Service Pack 2 or Service Pack 3, you can format up to 1.5 Terrabytes without problems.
Alternately, once you format at 137 GB, use a partition editor such as Ghost, Partition Magic, Source Forge, or Acronis (I recommend Acronis)... to extend the partition to the full size of the hard drive.
Either way, you have a cost.
Reply With Quote
Login to remove this ad - join the TechSpot Community for free.
  #3  
Old 01-07-2009
Newcomer, in training
 
Member since: Dec 2008, 13 posts
Good thing I have a Service Pack 2 CD.

I'm just wondering why it shows 137GB in the CMOS setup.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-07-2009
TechSpot Evangelist
 
Location: Four Corners, US
Member since: Dec 2006, 7,538 posts
Strange that it is the limit of the Windows that is NOT service pack 2. When you click on System in the Control Panel, and look at System Properties, does it specifically list Service Pack 2 or 3?,, and not SP 1 or 1a? We have seen that mislabeling before.
Otherwise, it must be a hard drive error. I would remove the partition and reinstall it from scratch to see if it finds the rest of the drive. If not, I would contact the manufacturer of the drive. Because what it shows is what you get... less drive than you paid for...
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-13-2009
Newcomer, in training
 
Location: Romania
Member since: Nov 2008, 22 posts
It's A system BIOS limitation, not operating system related. Check for a bios update.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-13-2009
Tedster's Avatar
TechSpot Evangelist
 
Location: Tallil, Iraq
Member since: Feb 2005, 9,445 posts
System specs
Accessing More Than 137gb On Large Hard Disks (read)
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
dell 1100 bios hd
Thread Tools


Similar Topics
Topic Category Replies Last Post
Memory for Dell Inspiron 1100 Processors, Chipsets and Mobos 3 08-23-2008 02:33 PM
Dell Inspiron 1100 Mobile Computing 4 09-10-2007 08:24 AM
250GB HD showing half full after clean XP install Storage & Networking 5 02-09-2007 06:51 AM
Need some help upgrading a Dell Dimension 1100 Audio and Video 1 04-27-2006 08:59 PM
dell inspiron 1100 not powering up Processors, Chipsets and Mobos 0 02-24-2006 01:07 PM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:37 PM.