You may be using an eMachine Windows version that is Service Pack 1. Service Pack one will only go to 137 GB raw before formatting... If you use Service Pack 2 or 3, you can go up to at least 1.5 GB.
A lot of the eMachines shipped with WXPH SP 1, because the largest drive they sold was 80 GB...
Often, but not always, you can use a regular Windows XP Home disk with Service Pack 2 and use the product ID from your eMachines case sticker.