Forum Home
Press F1
 
Thread ID: 49659 2004-09-26 16:12:00 HD installation, Windows or OEM? Vince (406) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
275864 2004-09-26 16:12:00 I have just fitted a Maxtor HD to my computer as a second drive for backup and storage.
I found the installation instructions on the internet. They advise against using windows to setup the new drive; however elsewhere on the net I (learned?) that windows may not recognize the drive if the Maxtor software is used. Can someone please clarify the matter for me. Vince ?:|
Vince (406)
275865 2004-09-26 19:23:00 You use XP? If so, just use XP to partition and format the new slave drive. This can be done via right-click on My Computer > Manage > Disk Management. Select the new unformatted drive, make some partitions (one for storage and one for backup) and then format the partitions. You can assign the partitions a drive letter and give the volume a label for easy reference eg Storage and Backup. Only after a drive has been initiated (formatted) will it appear listed under My Computer as a drive.

If you can't see your new drive under Disk Management, check the BIOS has recognised the new drive and your jumpers are correct.
Jen C (20)
275866 2004-09-26 20:48:00 Is the drive bigger than 130gb? If so, you'll either need XP SP2 installed, or the patch for SP1 that makes Windows able to use space over the 130gb mark.

Mike.
Mike (15)
275867 2004-09-26 23:20:00 I am using XP SP2 Jen, I should have said so.

No Mike the drive is 80 GB.

I did find the windows HD installation utility in Control Panel. Under Administrative Tools, I had a look through it and it looks easy to use.

Perhaps I wasn't clear before. My question is,
'Should I take the advice of Maxtor and use their installation utility-assuming there is a version that doesn't require a floppy drive (I am waiting to hear from them about that).
Or should I listen to the guy who said, Speaking from personal experience the windows may not recognize the disk if the Maxtor installer is used?
The Maxtor instructions made it sound like using windows was a bad idea. ?:| Vince ?:|
Vince (406)
275868 2004-09-26 23:48:00 Vince

I have used all of these utilities, many times. Ocassionally there will be a problem.

The maxtor utilities are available from their site as a C/d iso.

If you are only using Mainly XP use XP and format Fat 32 so that anything can read it in the future.

If you intend/may wish to use multiple O/s's in the future, down load http://www.sysresccd.org/ iso and use q parted this will also resolve your floppt issue. Bonus it will give you an acesss metheod to your system if you have a real problem, which you currently do not seem to have.

D.

P/s make sure you d/load the english version.
drb1 (4492)
275869 2004-09-26 23:50:00 Floppy drb1 (4492)
275870 2004-09-27 02:28:00 XP formatting/disc management works perfectly,just mount it,plug it in,format in desired FAT and partition it to your liking.

Seems like everyone is intent on make a simple 3 step job into a major undertaking.
metla (154)
275871 2004-09-27 10:41:00 > Seems like everyone is intent on make a simple 3 step
> job into a major undertaking.

Yes, isn't it a pain when you get conflicting advise. I had sort of made my mind up to go with Windows, thanks for your recommendation. Vince
Vince (406)
275872 2004-09-28 13:54:00 I am still at the planning stage. Thinking about how to arrange Partitions on the disk, and whether I want to partition the old one too, etc.

I came across a web page that will be of interest to some others. It deals with the strategy of partitioning a drive; not 'how to', but 'why'. I have found it very interesting. I hope you will to. Vince :-)
Vince (406)
275873 2004-09-28 14:04:00 Silly me, I forgot the link._:8}

partition.radified.com
Vince (406)
1