Space Limitations

Cap J · 08-26-2006, 05:57 PM

Ok, let me start off by first saying that I am a complete moron. Now, onto the problem.

I have 3 hard drives. My C: is an 80GB, my D: is a 160GB, and my E: is a 250GB. C and D are both IDE Maxtor drives and E is SATA2 Hitachi drive. My C drive is fine but both my D and E drives are only allowing me to use 127GB of each. I'm running Win XP Pro with SP2. If any other details are needed then I shall provide them.

Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

It's going to be something so obvious that I'll be kicking myself afterwards isn't it...

**manic** · 08-26-2006, 06:27 PM

If you dont have service pack 1, or 2 installed there is a size limitation
for the drives. 127gb sounds close. But with the service packs installed
for xp you should be able to use all the space..Im sure someone else
will chime in with a better answer. My guess is, is that xp was installed
with out service packs, and the slave drives were present then you got
stuck with the size limitation. What I would think you would have to do
if that is the case, is to save data on one of your big drives, then format
it, and or fdisk, to make sure you can use all the space.

**Ralck** · 08-26-2006, 06:45 PM

I think Manic nailed this one.
When you format your drives to use the full space, I'd also suggest using the drive manufacturer's utility to format them as you don't want Windows to format a slave drive (http://www.techsupportforum.com/showthread.php?t=99815).

Cap J · 08-26-2006, 07:00 PM

Thanks, I'll go have a go and I'll inform you of the results.

Cap J · 08-26-2006, 08:37 PM

Well due to the fact that the Edit button seems to have vanished I shall have to double post.

I now have the full capacity of my drives. I installed PartitionMagic and used it to resize the drive partition. I am now happy. Thanks for the help.

wstcstchopper · 08-27-2006, 12:07 PM

I am trying to find out how to free up space. I now this is xp's recovery. I checked properties on it one day and it was at 12% free space. For no reason it has jumpped down to 6% free space. It is like it copyied itself. It is also fragmented bad' but it needs 15% free space to do this. Thanks for any help.

**Ralck** · 08-27-2006, 12:19 PM

Thanks for posting the solution!

Also, Wstcstchopper, you'll get the best results by posting your own thread instead of hijacking another one.

08-26-2006, 05:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
Cap J Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Wales Posts: 8 OS: WinXP Pro SP2	Space Limitations Ok, let me start off by first saying that I am a complete moron. Now, onto the problem. I have 3 hard drives. My C: is an 80GB, my D: is a 160GB, and my E: is a 250GB. C and D are both IDE Maxtor drives and E is SATA2 Hitachi drive. My C drive is fine but both my D and E drives are only allowing me to use 127GB of each. I'm running Win XP Pro with SP2. If any other details are needed then I shall provide them. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated. It's going to be something so obvious that I'll be kicking myself afterwards isn't it... Last edited by Cap J; 08-26-2006 at 06:16 PM.

08-26-2006, 06:27 PM	#2 (permalink)
manic Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Florida Posts: 5,251 OS: xp	If you dont have service pack 1, or 2 installed there is a size limitation for the drives. 127gb sounds close. But with the service packs installed for xp you should be able to use all the space..Im sure someone else will chime in with a better answer. My guess is, is that xp was installed with out service packs, and the slave drives were present then you got stuck with the size limitation. What I would think you would have to do if that is the case, is to save data on one of your big drives, then format it, and or fdisk, to make sure you can use all the space. __________________

08-26-2006, 06:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ralck TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,454 OS: 98SE/XP PRO/FC4 My System	I think Manic nailed this one. When you format your drives to use the full space, I'd also suggest using the drive manufacturer's utility to format them as you don't want Windows to format a slave drive (http://www.techsupportforum.com/showthread.php?t=99815). __________________ Power Supply Info Everyone Should Read! How to Post Your System Specs

08-27-2006, 12:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
wstcstchopper Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 3 OS: xp	Presario_RP(D:) Limmited space issue I am trying to find out how to free up space. I now this is xp's recovery. I checked properties on it one day and it was at 12% free space. For no reason it has jumpped down to 6% free space. It is like it copyied itself. It is also fragmented bad' but it needs 15% free space to do this. Thanks for any help.

08-27-2006, 12:19 PM	#7 (permalink)
Ralck TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,454 OS: 98SE/XP PRO/FC4 My System	Thanks for posting the solution! Also, Wstcstchopper, you'll get the best results by posting your own thread instead of hijacking another one. __________________ Power Supply Info Everyone Should Read! How to Post Your System Specs

08-26-2006, 07:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
Cap J Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Wales Posts: 8 OS: WinXP Pro SP2	Thanks, I'll go have a go and I'll inform you of the results.

08-26-2006, 08:37 PM	#5 (permalink)
Cap J Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Wales Posts: 8 OS: WinXP Pro SP2	Well due to the fact that the Edit button seems to have vanished I shall have to double post. I now have the full capacity of my drives. I installed PartitionMagic and used it to resize the drive partition. I am now happy. Thanks for the help.