computer says 20GB HD is only 8GB

I installed a Maxtor 20.4 GB AT disk drive, but when I go into "my computer" - "properties ", it lists the capacity of the HD as 7.82GB. I have used over 7GB, so my HD shows almost full, even though I should have another 13GB of free space.

I would really appreciate help figuring it out.

computer is an e-machine 333cs
128MB RAM
Windows 98
HD Controller shows "primary IDE "

Thanx in advance for your help.

 

Welcome to the BBS Craig.

Is this a new install. In other words new after a reformat?

I'm wondering if your BIOS is recognising the whole disk size. I'm trying to remember what (if any) limitations were in 98, and you have updated 98 from windows update?

Others with more recent 98 experience will help.

It may be a BIOS update issue. You may need to check the BIOS version at bootup and check with the motherboard manufacturer if any issues were addressed in later BIOs updates?

 

Hi,

Paul, my 98se has no trouble seeing 24 and 30gb partitions on my 120gb harddrive. I haven't used 98 original for a while though. Does sound like it could be an 8gb BIOS limitation to me.

Craig (I take it, welcome), here is the "unofficial" e-machines website:
http://www.e4allinc.info/
I have been there before and it was helpful. I still haven't found the "official" website.
I tried downloading and looking at the BIOS updates for your model, but they did not open in Windows (may only work in a pure DOS enviroment).

See how the drive is listed by going into the BIOS/CMOS settings. If it is a BIOS limitation, some other options could be to back up your data and repartition your harddrive into partitions less than 7.82gb each. On my drive I have Windows on the first partition (98 has to be on the first partition), applications installed on another and data on another.

Another is to use a drive overlay, also may be known as a disk manager to "fool" the BIOS into seeing it as it's real size. You get them from the utilities at the HDD manufacturers website. I run one on my IBM 45gb drive and it tends to play up when new drives are added to the system, they can also be hard to get rid of if you transfer your HDD to a new PC. So I would try the repartitioning first...overlay second...and BIOS upgrade last.

Let us know if you need more info.

Matt

 

craiganderson12,

You should see the BIOS date when the computer boots. Station a finger over the pause/reset key and press it to stop the screen so you can read it, then press spacebar to resume. You can download this BIOS and use it if it's newer than yours. It's dated 03/31/2002. It's for the e-machine 333cs, according to the web site mentioned above.

 

I'm not sure what you mean, matt. The .zip file opened for me and revealed it's name and date.

FYI, I'm using 7-zip

http://www.windowsbbs.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=115&stc=1

 

sparrow, I was having trouble with the downloads from the "Trigem BIOS" link, getting the error "Zip file is damaged, truncated or has been damaged... "
or
"Either multipart or corrupt ZIP archive "
(Using two different zip programs. Eventually, I have gotten 2 of the 3 files to open)

I then tried the other BIOS links "USA motherboard quick links" and they opened OK.

I like the look of that Zip program you included, it is going into my utility files.

Matt

 

It seems to be VG; I've not used it very long. But glad to help.