Hard Drive Help

**RACKnRAIL** · January 19th, 2005, 08:20 AM

Hi Ya'll...I have an older PC with an athlon 450mh and a 2 gig HD. I am replacing the HD with a Maxtor 40 gig (used, but working). I want the 2 gig for something else, so I have removed and replaced it with the 40 gig used. Okay, the problem is when I boot up to the new HD, it is not being detected and yes, it is set to master. Do I need to update (flash) the bios? I have tried the auto detect in the bios, but it keeps looking and looking and doesn't find it. I'm not sure what to do. It will not boot to a CD at this point either. Motherboard is 1st PA-2013.

Please only answer here if you're absolutely sure as I don't feel like taking pot shots at doing this. Thanks in advance for help rendered.

**cpugeniusmv** · January 19th, 2005, 08:35 AM

this may seem odd, but i've encountered some computers that won't see certain hard drives when they're set to Master, but it worked when they were on Cable Select.

it's worth a shot

**RACKnRAIL** · January 19th, 2005, 08:36 AM

Originally Posted by cpugeniusmv

this may seem odd, but i've encountered some computers that won't see certain hard drives when they're set to Master, but it worked when they were on Cable Select.

it's worth a shot

I'll try it and let you know...thanks!

**RACKnRAIL** · January 19th, 2005, 08:49 AM

Okay...that did not work. Any other ideas?

**cpugeniusmv** · January 19th, 2005, 09:03 AM

is there a newer version of the BIOS available for this motherboard? that's probably your next best bet.

**muskrat_love** · January 19th, 2005, 09:15 AM

What OS are you using? If its Windows 98, Maybe partition it with fdisk?

**RACKnRAIL** · January 19th, 2005, 09:21 AM

The os is BIOS. It won't detect a HD to install an OS on. That's the problem.

**fujow** · January 19th, 2005, 10:24 AM

Do you have the old drive connected also, if so disconnect and try detecting the 40gig.
Most older systems do not recognize 40gigs. You will probably have to go to maxtors web page and download a utility to make the system recognize the hardrive.

**cpugeniusmv** · January 19th, 2005, 10:29 AM

it's not that old...

maxtor couldn't provide a utility that would make the BIOS see the drive. only the operating system. the BIOS has to see it first, and the only hope for that would be a BIOS update.

(he also said he removed and replaced the 2 gig drive...so it's not connected to the system :) )

**fujow** · January 19th, 2005, 10:34 AM

Please read, i added the link at the bottom where you can get the bios update.

Q30: I've bought a new harddisk, a Quantum Fireball Plus AS 40GB. My old harddisk (Quantum 8GB) didn't cause any problems at all. Appearantly my BIOS doesn't support my new harddisk. When booting my computer, the harddisk is not detected, the computer searches like mad and the BIOS program crashes. I can't even use a disk manager on a floppy, because doesn't seem to boot at all. I've tested the harddisk on an Intel Pentium III and it runs smoothly. Is there any chance that I can upgrade my BIOS in order that it accepts this 40GB disk? Which download do you recommend? Or do you have other tips? 2001/3/27
A: FIC has updated the BIOS so that hard-drives up 65GB and beyond can be recognized.
Listed below are the new BIOS files for each model.
VA-503+ JE4333
PA-2013 JI4333
PAG-2130 SA4124 & SB4124 (Please read PAG-2130 FAQ to clarify differences)

http://www.fic.com.tw/support/mother...l_id=18#qid210

**The Hunter** · January 19th, 2005, 10:35 AM

What happened to me with my old 133, when installing a 40 gig drive, was that it was seen by the bios, but during the install of 98 it almost filled up the drive. In that instance I had to download, and install an overlay program to make the pc see the actual size, or reasonably close size of the drive. R&Rs problem it totally different.

**fujow** · January 19th, 2005, 10:37 AM

If possible try windows 2000 or ME. Win98 sometimes does not recognize more than 2 gigs.

**mfgbypooter** · January 19th, 2005, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by RACKnRAIL

Please only answer here if you're absolutely sure as I don't feel like taking pot shots at doing this. Thanks in advance for help rendered.

Annie get your gun cuz here comes a pot shot.

You could try sending an email to Maxtor and ask them how to install their hard drive on your system.

Just a shot in the dark but they maybe can help you.

**RACKnRAIL** · January 19th, 2005, 11:56 AM

Originally Posted by mfgbypooter

Annie get your gun cuz here comes a pot shot.

You could try sending an email to Maxtor and ask them how to install their hard drive on your system.

Just a shot in the dark but they maybe can help you.

The bios update is what it needed. It now sees the drive. Thanks for the speedy help to all, especially cpu!