Trying to get a new hard drive recognised on an old PC

Jshelton31 · 01-04-2008, 05:23 AM

Hello - I'm hoping you can help me with a small problem that i have....

I am trying to install a WD800JB hard drive as an extra storage space for my grandmother's machine (which she recently inherited). It currently has a 10GB HD already in it (a seagate HD). The machine itself is a PII processor with 288 mb RAM, the BIOS is a Phoenix BIOS 4.0 release 6.0, and runs on WIN XP.

The problem that I am having is that the PC will not pick up the new 80GB HDD. When you go into the BIOS settings, the drive is there, but is only showing that the HDD has about 12,000 MB of space (rather than the 80,000MB or so that it should have). Also, when you log into windows, it shows up in the device manager as being present, but will not allow you to initialise the HDD in the Disk Managment section of the Computer Management dialogue box...

I've downloaded the latest drivers off the net for this HDD, but it still isn't recognised for use by the PC (yet it still shows up in the device manager).

Does anyone have any ideas?

**BCCOMP** · 01-04-2008, 05:38 AM

Hi,
Jshelton31,
How are the HD's setup. Is the 10GB jumper set as Master and at the end of the IDE ribbon cable and the 80GB jumper set as Slave and connected to the middle of the IDE ribbon cable?
Are you using an 80 pin ribbon cable?
Also there is a chance this MoBo will not recognize a larger HD. What make mobo is this?
Thanks,
Bill

bongo667 · 01-04-2008, 12:53 PM

The machine maybe to old to run a hard drive of that size.

**linderman** · 01-04-2008, 01:06 PM

computers of that era struggled with any drive larger than 32gigs

you will need to buy and install a PCI slot IDE controlelr card which has its own bios if you want to run that drive in the old machine

http://www.shopbot.ca/p-719-1699569.html

their are cheaper IDE controller cards than this one, but the promise brand are the cadalliacs of the controller card market

bongo667 · 01-04-2008, 01:18 PM

Matter of fact I just purchased one of those and it works great!!

Jshelton31 · 01-04-2008, 01:44 PM

Hello all... In answer to BCCOMP's questions - the 10GB is set up as the master (which has the 'middle' slot of the IDE cable) while the 80GB has been set up as a slave in this instance (with the end of the IDE cable - as specified on the cables themselves). I have also tried the 80GB hard drive in there as a separate stand alone hard drive and it didn't recognise it.

I'm not sure what brand the motherboard is as I can't see an markings on the mobo, but it is an oldie (I think it could be a HP Brio)

Linderman - I will look into the IDE controller card thing today - is that just a case of the IDE cable plugging straight into the card rather than the motherboard, or is there aother things that neeed to be bought for this to work as well? I want to get the machine up and working back to my grandmother, before the missus grumbles at me too much (plus i'm also missing too much of the cricket with this lovely machine!) :)

**BCCOMP** · 01-04-2008, 01:53 PM

Hi,
The master (10GB HD) should be set as master and at the end of the cable, The 80 GB should be set as slave in the middle of the cable. As far as Lindermans suggestion, an empty PCI slot for an additional IDE controller is all that is needed. If you have the proper IDE cable and the HD are set (Jumpered) correctly and placed on the IDE cable accordingly.
Thanks,
Bill
PS- Thanks Linderman for your suggestion

**linderman** · 01-04-2008, 02:28 PM

as BCComp stated ; all you need is the card and an empty PCI slot on your motherboard to insert the pci card into. the hard drive will then plug into that card instead of your motherboard

best regards

joe

MadMack · 01-04-2008, 11:44 PM

Linderman is correct in saying that an IDE controller card is the answer, to get the full 80GB usage. Pricey though ! Also have a look if your WD HDD has jumper settings for 32GB only. You can use that, but then you sacrifice half of the disc space. I don't think WD HDD's have those jumper settings, but some Seagates do.

bongo667 · 01-06-2008, 09:03 AM

Jshelton31: I bought a Raid 2 port IDE PCI host card made by Sabrent from my local Tiger Direct for $19.99. Check this link out. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...0704&CatId=508

**linderman** · 01-06-2008, 02:09 PM

Bongo is 100% correct

the Sabrent line is much cheaper!

Jshelton31 · 01-07-2008, 01:11 AM

No worries guys - will let you know how i went once it arrives (purchased a new one off of ebay on the weekend) - i just have to wait until it arrives now as it's coming from Melbourne - and Aust Post isn't always the quickest medium to get stuff sent through!

Jshelton31
Adelaide, Australia

Jshelton31 · 01-18-2008, 03:04 PM

Hello all

I've finally got the PCI controller card - however, i'm still experiencing rpoblems. The PCI card is a VIA T2641 card, that's also a RAID device apparently and comes with the drivers CD and a red cable). I tried to get the Promise one that was quoted here, but couldn't source it anywhere in Aus for about 3-4 weeks!

I've installed the PCI card, plugged the IDE cable into the card and the hard drives (same configuration as i had before as i knew that was working) but then couldn't get beyond BIOS - everytime i tried it would tell mee that Operating software was not found. BIOS confirmed that there was no hard drives connected to the PC.

So i disconnected the 80GB HDD (slave) and tried with just the 10GB master, which has a fresh install of Win XP. Same problem. So i thought ok - I'll re-plug the IDE cable back to the motherboard. This loaded up windows (as we were back to original setting) and found the hardware without problems - so i then proceeded to install the VIA drivers, which it told me it did successfully. I then went and restarted machine, and that was fine.

So then I turned machine off and then went and plugged everything into the PCI card again - and restarted the machine - and once again - no operating system found. Is there anything that i have done wrong in this case - i've tried removing the hardware and reinstalling it (and tells me that it is the VIA T2641 RAID chip) and installs the software without problems, but when i plug the IDE to the PCI card, it won't work - am i meant to use the red cable that i got to plug into the motherboard or something (which i would've thought was unlikely as the card slots into the motherboard....) or is it a case that i don't have the right drivers??? any help would be appreciated.

01-04-2008, 05:23 AM	#1 (permalink)
Jshelton31 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 4 OS: Win XP	Trying to get a new hard drive recognised on an old PC Hello - I'm hoping you can help me with a small problem that i have.... I am trying to install a WD800JB hard drive as an extra storage space for my grandmother's machine (which she recently inherited). It currently has a 10GB HD already in it (a seagate HD). The machine itself is a PII processor with 288 mb RAM, the BIOS is a Phoenix BIOS 4.0 release 6.0, and runs on WIN XP. The problem that I am having is that the PC will not pick up the new 80GB HDD. When you go into the BIOS settings, the drive is there, but is only showing that the HDD has about 12,000 MB of space (rather than the 80,000MB or so that it should have). Also, when you log into windows, it shows up in the device manager as being present, but will not allow you to initialise the HDD in the Disk Managment section of the Computer Management dialogue box... I've downloaded the latest drivers off the net for this HDD, but it still isn't recognised for use by the PC (yet it still shows up in the device manager). Does anyone have any ideas?

01-04-2008, 05:38 AM	#2 (permalink)
BCCOMP Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New York Posts: 5,788 OS: Win XP SP3 / Windows 7 Beta / Open Suse My System	Re: Trying to get a new hard drive recognised on an old PC Hi, Jshelton31, How are the HD's setup. Is the 10GB jumper set as Master and at the end of the IDE ribbon cable and the 80GB jumper set as Slave and connected to the middle of the IDE ribbon cable? Are you using an 80 pin ribbon cable? Also there is a chance this MoBo will not recognize a larger HD. What make mobo is this? Thanks, Bill __________________ PC Wizard \| Everest \| Power supply info \| Memtest86+ \| PC Running Slow Speedfan

01-04-2008, 12:53 PM	#3 (permalink)
bongo667 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 130 OS: 2k pro/XP sp2/XP Tablet/Vista/Linux/Fedora	Re: Trying to get a new hard drive recognised on an old PC The machine maybe to old to run a hard drive of that size.

01-04-2008, 01:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 19,375 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Trying to get a new hard drive recognised on an old PC computers of that era struggled with any drive larger than 32gigs you will need to buy and install a PCI slot IDE controlelr card which has its own bios if you want to run that drive in the old machine http://www.shopbot.ca/p-719-1699569.html their are cheaper IDE controller cards than this one, but the promise brand are the cadalliacs of the controller card market __________________ Even a Broken Clock is Right Twice a Day ! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

01-04-2008, 01:18 PM	#5 (permalink)
bongo667 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 130 OS: 2k pro/XP sp2/XP Tablet/Vista/Linux/Fedora	Re: Trying to get a new hard drive recognised on an old PC Matter of fact I just purchased one of those and it works great!!

01-04-2008, 01:44 PM	#6 (permalink)
Jshelton31 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 4 OS: Win XP	Re: Trying to get a new hard drive recognised on an old PC Hello all... In answer to BCCOMP's questions - the 10GB is set up as the master (which has the 'middle' slot of the IDE cable) while the 80GB has been set up as a slave in this instance (with the end of the IDE cable - as specified on the cables themselves). I have also tried the 80GB hard drive in there as a separate stand alone hard drive and it didn't recognise it. I'm not sure what brand the motherboard is as I can't see an markings on the mobo, but it is an oldie (I think it could be a HP Brio) Linderman - I will look into the IDE controller card thing today - is that just a case of the IDE cable plugging straight into the card rather than the motherboard, or is there aother things that neeed to be bought for this to work as well? I want to get the machine up and working back to my grandmother, before the missus grumbles at me too much (plus i'm also missing too much of the cricket with this lovely machine!) :)

01-04-2008, 01:53 PM	#7 (permalink)
BCCOMP Mod Hardware Team Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: New York Posts: 5,788 OS: Win XP SP3 / Windows 7 Beta / Open Suse My System	Re: Trying to get a new hard drive recognised on an old PC Hi, The master (10GB HD) should be set as master and at the end of the cable, The 80 GB should be set as slave in the middle of the cable. As far as Lindermans suggestion, an empty PCI slot for an additional IDE controller is all that is needed. If you have the proper IDE cable and the HD are set (Jumpered) correctly and placed on the IDE cable accordingly. Thanks, Bill PS- Thanks Linderman for your suggestion __________________ PC Wizard \| Everest \| Power supply info \| Memtest86+ \| PC Running Slow Speedfan Last edited by BCCOMP; 01-04-2008 at 01:55 PM.

01-04-2008, 02:28 PM	#8 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 19,375 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Trying to get a new hard drive recognised on an old PC as BCComp stated ; all you need is the card and an empty PCI slot on your motherboard to insert the pci card into. the hard drive will then plug into that card instead of your motherboard best regards joe __________________ Even a Broken Clock is Right Twice a Day ! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

01-04-2008, 11:44 PM	#9 (permalink)
MadMack Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 89 OS: Windows Vista Business	Re: Trying to get a new hard drive recognised on an old PC Linderman is correct in saying that an IDE controller card is the answer, to get the full 80GB usage. Pricey though ! Also have a look if your WD HDD has jumper settings for 32GB only. You can use that, but then you sacrifice half of the disc space. I don't think WD HDD's have those jumper settings, but some Seagates do.

01-06-2008, 09:03 AM	#10 (permalink)
bongo667 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Durham, NC Posts: 130 OS: 2k pro/XP sp2/XP Tablet/Vista/Linux/Fedora	Re: Trying to get a new hard drive recognised on an old PC Jshelton31: I bought a Raid 2 port IDE PCI host card made by Sabrent from my local Tiger Direct for $19.99. Check this link out. http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...0704&CatId=508

01-06-2008, 02:09 PM	#11 (permalink)
linderman Moderator, Hardware Team Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 19,375 OS: win 2000 pro / Win XP pro My System	Re: Trying to get a new hard drive recognised on an old PC Bongo is 100% correct the Sabrent line is much cheaper! __________________ Even a Broken Clock is Right Twice a Day ! Power Supply Selection LEARN TO BACK-UP YOUR DATA FREE & EASY YouTube - Runtime Software DriveImage XML tutorial

01-07-2008, 01:11 AM	#12 (permalink)
Jshelton31 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 4 OS: Win XP	Re: Trying to get a new hard drive recognised on an old PC No worries guys - will let you know how i went once it arrives (purchased a new one off of ebay on the weekend) - i just have to wait until it arrives now as it's coming from Melbourne - and Aust Post isn't always the quickest medium to get stuff sent through! Jshelton31 Adelaide, Australia

01-18-2008, 03:04 PM	#13 (permalink)
Jshelton31 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 4 OS: Win XP	Re: Trying to get a new hard drive recognised on an old PC Hello all I've finally got the PCI controller card - however, i'm still experiencing rpoblems. The PCI card is a VIA T2641 card, that's also a RAID device apparently and comes with the drivers CD and a red cable). I tried to get the Promise one that was quoted here, but couldn't source it anywhere in Aus for about 3-4 weeks! I've installed the PCI card, plugged the IDE cable into the card and the hard drives (same configuration as i had before as i knew that was working) but then couldn't get beyond BIOS - everytime i tried it would tell mee that Operating software was not found. BIOS confirmed that there was no hard drives connected to the PC. So i disconnected the 80GB HDD (slave) and tried with just the 10GB master, which has a fresh install of Win XP. Same problem. So i thought ok - I'll re-plug the IDE cable back to the motherboard. This loaded up windows (as we were back to original setting) and found the hardware without problems - so i then proceeded to install the VIA drivers, which it told me it did successfully. I then went and restarted machine, and that was fine. So then I turned machine off and then went and plugged everything into the PCI card again - and restarted the machine - and once again - no operating system found. Is there anything that i have done wrong in this case - i've tried removing the hardware and reinstalling it (and tells me that it is the VIA T2641 RAID chip) and installs the software without problems, but when i plug the IDE to the PCI card, it won't work - am i meant to use the red cable that i got to plug into the motherboard or something (which i would've thought was unlikely as the card slots into the motherboard....) or is it a case that i don't have the right drivers??? any help would be appreciated.