Computer Hope
Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: Sprezza on November 12, 2009, 05:58:44 PM
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Hello!
Making a long story short--I just bought a new 320GB laptop hard drive to install onto my Dell Inspiron E1505 (running XP) which has a full hard drive at 50+ GB. I placed the new hard drive into an external enclosure and cloned my existing hard drive onto it. I am also trying to upgrade this new hard drive with Windows 7, but that is another issue. The guide I was following said that after cloning, I could simply EXTEND the HD to make the full 320GB usable--not the case. After much messing around with partitions, diskpart.exe and Disk Manager, I am at a standstill. At the moment, I have a brand new hd with 50GB of unallocated space. How oh how do I get the full 320GB? There is nothing on there that needs to be backed up, so I am open to any suggestions.
Thanks very much for your feedback!
- J
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What kind of external enclosure? What kind of HDD?
Some of use here are very negative about extremal enclosures, except for DVD drives. Not recommended of hard drives.
Your machine is a laptop, -Right?
There are now low power internal drives for laptops that have 320 GB at reasonable prices.
In My Opinion, and some others here, is to return the external HDD and get a suitable internal drive for use in your machine.
Maybe I missed something in your post.
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Geek-9pm,
Thank you for replying! :) Please let me know if I am not being clear as I've been having difficulty explaining what the problem is.
- Nippon enclosure
- Seagate 320GB WD3200BEKT internal laptop hard drive
I don't see how the enclosure is to blame--isn't it only a connection? The sole purpose of buying that was to first transfer everything over to the new hard drive and then to house the old hard drive and use it as back-up if ever needed. The problem is that ever since I cloned the old (50GB) to the new (320GB), the new hd is only recognized as having a total of 50GB of space, even after cleaning, deleting partitions, etc. I just want to get the hd back to its original blank state, showing all 320GB of available space. Is there any info that I am leaving out? I don't see why it's such a difficult task, but I am totally stumped! ???
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Okay now I understand what you're doing and yes it seems like that should work.
Now, as for our criticism of the enclosure, we don't mean to say the enclosure is bad, but rather in the Windows operating system and USB devices are not as well integrated as we would like them to be.
Here is the essence of what I get from your original post.
Making a long story short--I just bought a new 320GB laptop hard drive to install onto my Dell Inspiron E1505 (running XP) which has a full hard drive at 50+ GB. I placed the new hard drive into an external enclosure and cloned my existing hard drive onto it.
- Nippon enclosure
- Seagate 320GB WD3200BEKT internal laptop hard drive.
The point I'm not clear on is whether or not you were able to get a new drive to work as the boot system on your laptop. And if so, are you satisfied that the clone was done properly and that the system is working Albright.
Now then, the issue is that you are using XP and not visa. If you have Windows 7 you can go ahead and install it now if you are happy with him leading Windows XP have a only 50 GB on the system. In my opinion 50 GB is planning for Windows XP, and Windows 7, in my opinion, you will like it very much. Window seven does take more space, but not as much as visa. That's the good news. The bad news is, Windows 7 is lacking some drivers. And, Windows 7 requires about 1200 updates. That's not a typo. Still, it may just be the best Windows that Microsoft has ever made. Anyway, we hope so.
If you already have Windows 7, I would suggest you just go ahead and install it and use Windows 7 to adjust the partition sizes to whatever you want. Also, in Windows XP you can create new partitions, but it does not have the ability to expand an existing partition. For that you would use a third-party software.
The instruction to "expand the partition " refers to a feature found in both Batista and Windows 7, but not in XP.
On the Internet you can find a number of partition managers that are three for a limited time and you can use one of them to resize the XP partition, or to create new partitions. Most of these do a fair job of resizing the XP partition.
I hope this clarifies so some issues.
Please excuse grammar and spelling errors or bad choice of words. I have limited eyesight and I have to use my voice recognition software to give you a long answer. Otherwise my answers are too short and sometimes not understandable.
Post script. I forgot to mention, when installing Windows 7 you should install it as a clean install. In other words, you don't want to install it on top of the existing XP installation. Tell Windows 7 you wanted to use a new partition and it will coexist with Windows XP. Of course, you will have to install your favorite programs and put in some your favorite settings and things like that. At this time we are not recommending that people try to update to Windows 7 from XP. In fact, it doesn't work.
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Good day! :D
Ok, I think we're getting a little closer. I actually did successfully install Windows 7 and again tried Disk Manager to extend the partition. The reoccurring issue is that nothing I try is recognizing that there are 320GB to which I can extend! I have created, deleted, cleaned, etc. but everything is within the 50GB.
At the time, I was not thinking of using W7 and so wanted only to copy everything over from my existing hd and be set with that--thus the cloning. Now that W7 is in the picture, I wish I could "unclone" the hd and start from scratch. I don't understand why no matter what I try, the capacity is STUCK on 50GB. Where is the rest hidden?
I am not concerned with W7 at the moment and am putting that aside for now. I would like to somehow (magically) find the mysterious 320GB, have it recognized, and continue with W7 from there.
I do want to focus on the hd, but to answer your questions as well:
The point I'm not clear on is whether or not you were able to get a new drive to work as the boot system on your laptop. And if so, are you satisfied that the clone was done properly and that the system is working Albright.
Yes, once cloned in the enclosure, I swapped drives, installed the new hd, booted, and everything worked fine! Still the issue--max of 50GB showing on the hd and since under XP, Disk Manager could not extend. I used a free version of Partition Master and that did not recognize the rest of the 320GB either. Lastly, I looked up Gparted and was quickly scared away--I could not even understand the instructions for downloading the program!
Another idea: during one clean install of W7, I thought I could delete partitions and find the hidden 320GB at the point when W7 asks what disk to install to. The "delete" and also "extend" option were grayed out. I created a partition just for fun and yet the total size was still 50GB. So that did not work.
Geek-9pm, please come through for me! :)
- Jasmine
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What did you use to clone the drive / did your existing OS see the full 320G in the external case?
Alan <>< :D
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Following this guide: http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2345356,00.asp
... I used the free trial of Acronis' Migrate Easy 7.0. Yes, before cloning, the full 320GB was recognized by XP. I wasn't so worried since the last part of the guide said the partition could simply be extended. Tricky tricky, the guide also says (in other words) that it's much easier in Vista and complicated to nearly impossible for XP.
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. I used the free trial of Acronis' Migrate Easy 7.0. Yes, before cloning, the full 320GB was recognized by XP. I wasn't so worried since the last part of the guide said the partition could simply be extended. Tricky tricky, the guide also says (in other words) that it's much easier in Vista and complicated to nearly impossible for XP.
Now you got it!
Trying re size a system in use is hard to do. The "clone" program you used did literal "clone" and made the copy the exact same size as the original.
Here is a very good partition manager.
Click on the place that says "try it fre" or something to that effect.
Do not download the stuff you have to buy.
http://www.partition-tool.com/
Just to be on the "safe" side, first see if it will crate a new portion for you.
Then copy some documents of photos onto it. Then try to re size it. I don't mean to scare you, but you have to be come familiar with the terminology and procedures they recommend. After you make kyour changes, you have to hit 'apply' and it may have to restart windows and it will take awhile to re size a partition.
Anyway, windows 7 does a good job of doing expand or shrink. reside. As I recall, it can not change its own partition. So you create a new one and make it bigger or smaller.
In general, we recommend that a large HDD be divided into two or more partitions.
I will be back later, Have to go make coffee. I am a night bird, hence the name Geek-9pm.
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Here is a very good partition manager.
Click on the place that says "try it fre" or something to that effect.
Do not download the stuff you have to buy.
http://www.partition-tool.com/
The Home edition (for home users only) is free. It's at http://www.partition-tool.com/personal.htm
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I will be back later, Have to go make coffee. I am a night bird, hence the name Geek-9pm.
Don't leave! :o What time is it where you are? I'm in Washington, DC, at work, at my desk (yes I should be working rather than glued to this forum).
Nah, I've got nuthin! All that is what I did a while ago, and then there was much messing around with the hard drive and now I'm stuck. :-\
I hope this tool works. I tried using the free version of Partition Master and again, it did not recognize that there was 320GB to extend to. <Sigh>
And I see what you mean about W7 changing its own partitions... I guess that was the problem? At the moment though, I can only access the new hd through the enclosure since I wiped it clean of an OS. Is there a way to "unclone" and take that 50GB limit off the darn thing?
How's that coffee??
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The Home edition (for home users only) is free. It's at http://www.partition-tool.com/personal.htm
soybean, thanks for the link. I will try this first thing when I get home today. Assuming the worst though, what if this tool also only sees 50GB in which to edit partitions? Creating new will only pull from the space seen, correct? I'll stay cool for now and hope for the best... 8)
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Coffee was good. Fell much better now,. I am in Northern California.
I am puzzled as the why the manager will not show the unused space.
Here is a drive with many partitions and some unallocated space.
Notice the left arrow. There is an 'apply' button y0u have to hit when lyou are ready to put something into effect.
Aldo you grow a partition only into the free space, the unallocated space.
(http://geek9pm.com/info/partition.png)
Sorry I have to go. Need to be at my post at 10 AM It is after nine and I am not dressed.
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I am puzzled as the why the manager will not show the unused space.
I have not tried the manager yet--I am just concerned that it will act the same as another third party app (Partition Master) that I had tried already. I will post success/failure later this evening. Thank you for your efforts thus far!
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Back again.
Here is some additional information that may not apply to your case. This is about use of the bios setup. When starting up, the bios will scan for hardware and save information into an area known as the CMOS. Additionally, information is placed into the lower part of the system RAM. If the deals has been set to quick boot, then it will not changed the information found in the CMOS. In rare cases this can cause bopd to not recognize that a new drive has been installed it appears to have the same attributes as the older drive. If that is the case, all you have to do is go into the bios and set it for auto detect, or something like that. or just turn off the quick boot option. And in some cases an error will cause the bios to rescan the hardware. Without looking at the documentation, I don't know if these observations would apply to your computer. But, you could just go into the bios and see if there is a way of turning off a quick boot or enable the auto detect process. :)
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Good morning!
I'd like to share a screen shot, but don't know how to paste in here.
I've opened Partition Master and realized it is the same tool I had used before. I understand that partitions can only be extended into unallocated space. The problem persists that the new drive has ONLY 50GB of unallocated space. Options to resize are grayed out and creating a partition only uses the visible 50GB.
Still stuck! :(
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You need to get into the BIOS and see if it identifies the drive.
If the BIOS does not recognize tat you have placed a new drive inside te laptop, you have to tell the BIOS to re scan the hardware.
I do not have information about the documentation for the BIOS setup for your machine. I do remember that the Dell is different that others. It takes a bit to understand how things work in the BIOS.
You didn't put the old drive back in the laptop, did you? :-[
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Are you sure the MBoard of this laptop supports larger drives ? ?
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Try reformatting your HDD because I think XP isn`t recognizing the full space because it is unassigned. ;)
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You need to get into the BIOS and see if it identifies the drive.
Hm, I'm not too familiar with BIOS... would that be something under the setup when I press F2 while booting?
You didn't put the old drive back in the laptop, did you?
Yes! (Is that bad?) The new hd is all unallocated space with no OS at the moment. The only way I can think to access it right now is through the old hd (with XP) while the new hd is in the enclosure. Isn't that ok?
Are you sure the MBoard of this laptop supports larger drives ? ?
How would I find out what the motherboard supports?
Try reformatting your HDD because I think XP isn`t recognizing the full space because it is unassigned.
That sounds like a good idea, since I'm still stuck. I've looked up reformatting hard drives, but all I find are programs meant to recover information that you may have deleted by accident.
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The drive manuf. will have FREE utilities at there website to do so...or some ship with a CD ...
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I went to Western Digital's site (I think I previously stated Seagate accidentally) and downloaded a tool called Data Lifeguard Diagnostic, then chose Write Zeros in Full Erase mode. I really don't know what that means but it sounded like it would wipe the hd clean! Even after that, 50GB is still showing and not 320GB. >:( What the #*&%*(@#&!?!
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Because formatting (zeroes ) and partitioning are 2 different operations...
Use the utility to remove both partitions...
Then create 1 @ 100% of the disk size...
Then format and your good to go.
No need to zero it...regular format is fine.
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Hi patio!
Sorry for being repetitive, but what utility should I use to delete partitions? The WD Diagnostic tool did not have an option to do this, only to Test and Write Zeros.
But I think that is the state I left the hd in--unpartitioned, blank--and Disk Management shows 50GB of unallocated space. When right-clicking the disk and selecting New Partition, I can only create one up to 50GB max.
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Data Lifeguard does have the tools for this and should be used...not Windows.
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Data Lifeguard does have the tools for this
The site description (http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?groupid=703&sid=3&lang=en) only lists options for Quick Test, Extended Test, Write Zeros and View Test Results.
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Then you have the wrong version...is this version running inside Windows or a bootable CD you created ? ?
Trust me...i've been using it for many years...
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It's the wrong version, is says WinDLG (Data Lifeguard Diagnostic for Windows).
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It's the wrong version, is says WinDLG (Data Lifeguard Diagnostic for Windows).
That's exactly what it is. Where would I find the correct version?? I downloaded this from WD's website, under downloads for my hard drive's model.
Thanks for straightening me out!
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is this version running inside Windows or a bootable CD you created ? ?
Yes, after downloading, I ran this out of WinXP. The problem hd is currently being accessed through an external enclosure by USB.
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That's exactly what it is. Where would I find the correct version?? ...
http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?groupid=703&sid=3&lang=en
•Data Lifeguard Diagnostic for DOS (Floppy)
•Data Lifeguard Diagnostic for DOS (CD)
Your choice, Floppy or CD.
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Ah, thanks. I didn't realize the other options would be any different! And would you know if this tool functions differently from others such as the Easeus Partition Master that I used previously? In that case, I still wasn't able to access the full capacity.
I will give this a shot though--thank you!
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..And would you know if this tool functions differently from others such as the Easeus Partition Master that I used previously? In that case, I still wasn't able to access the full capacity.
...
I use Partition Magic v7.0, works every time with WinXP, Win2k, Win98. Not compatible with Win7 & Vista.
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Ok! I put the new drive in, booted from the Diagnostic CD. The drive is recognized and the capacity is STILL incorrect (58.5G). The extended test returned no errors. The menu options are: Select Drive, Quick/Extended Test, Write Zeros, View/Print Test Results, Log File Open/Close, Enter/Print RMA Info, & Help. How do I try what you suggested below? Thanks for your patience so far--I'm doing my best to follow everyone's advice!
Use the utility to remove both partitions...
Then create 1 @ 100% of the disk size...
Then format and your good to go.
No need to zero it...regular format is fine.
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It appears that WD has changed their software, try the Aconis. All you really need is a partition manager to Merge the partitions. I just saw this one today, never used it.
Parted Magic 4.6 (http://www.majorgeeks.com/Parted_Magic_d6107.html)
OR
EASEUS Partition Master Home Edition 4.1.1 (http://www.majorgeeks.com/EASEUS_Partition_Master_Home_Edition_d5967.html)
http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?groupid=703&sid=3&lang=en
* Acronis True Image WD Edition
* Data Lifeguard Diagnostic for DOS (Floppy)
* Data Lifeguard Diagnostic for DOS (CD)
* Data Lifeguard Diagnostic for Windows
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Thanks but Partition Master is the tool I tried already. Right now it shows the disk as unallocated and the only options available are Create Partition and Properties. When I go into Create Partition, the max size isn't any larger than the 50+G. Would it make a difference if I created a partition and chose unformatted?
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I can tell you how Partition Magic works, should be similar.
Unallocated space must be created as a new partition. Doesn't have to be assigned a drive letter. This does not require a reboot. This can also be done from Windows Disk Management.
Then the old partition is merged with the new partition. This can not be done from Windows Disk Management. This does require a reboot.
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Unallocated space must be created as a new partition. Doesn't have to be assigned a drive letter. This does not require a reboot. This can also be done from Windows Disk Management.
Then the old partition is merged with the new partition. This can not be done from Windows Disk Management. This does require a reboot.
I downloaded shareware of PowerQuest PartitionMagic 8.0 (same/different version than yours?) I created a new partition from the unallocated space. Now I am merging partitions. Since you said to reboot, I'll be back in a sec...
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I downloaded shareware of PowerQuest PartitionMagic 8.0 (same/different version than yours?) I created a new partition from the unallocated space. Now I am merging partitions. Since you said to reboot, I'll be back in a sec...
I use 7.0
Do not reboot unless it says you must. Never interrupt it in the middle of something.
It actually does the merge after the reboot before the full Windows load, if one of the merge partitions is the boot partition.
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No go on 8.0, guess I actually have to purchase it.
Back to Partition Master... I've created a new partition and then deleted it. But the capacity remains the same. I'm really going in circles now. I don't think any partition tool is going to help because the space being partitioned remains the same no matter what. I still can't find the full 320G. This all started after the initial clone. Doesn't seem that the hd is defective since the diagnostic tool returned no errors. Is this a formatting issue? How much more "stripped" can the disk get? Does unallocated space = unformatted? Why is it so difficult to get this disk back to new?? ???
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1. No go on 8.0, guess I actually have to purchase it.
2. Back to Partition Master...
3. I don't think any partition tool is going to help...
4. This all started after the initial clone.
5. Doesn't seem that the hd is defective since the diagnostic tool returned no errors. Is this a formatting issue?
6. How much more "stripped" can the disk get?
7. Does unallocated space = unformatted?
8. Why is it so difficult to get this disk back to new?? ???
1. Not even shareware? Nothing from Symantic is freeware or shareware.
2. Don't know how Partition Master works. Try Parted Magic or the WD Acronis links I gave you.
3. Done it 100's of times with PM7.0
4. Yes, that's how cloning works. If old was 250, new is 250 with 70 unallocated.
5. It's not defective. See #7.
6. ??
7. unallocated is unpartitioned and unformatted.
8. Because computers are a PIA. :)
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Ha! No kidding about the PIA...
I understand how the cloning works and that's why I'm stumped. I cloned a 50G onto a 320G. It then appeared to have a partition of 50G and nothing else... not unallocated, NADA. After I deleted that partition, the disk then had 50G of unallocated space and no more. See what I mean? I understand what was supposed to happen. But what I got was a shrunken hard drive!
So when you've used partition tools, have you ever seen the total capacity ever change? That's essentially what I'm looking for.
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We need to start over again.
Why did you buy a WD3200BEKT ?
Were you told that it would work inside the laptop?
The drive is a high performance unit that will work in a USB enclose.
But it will not work right in a some laptops.
You have to go into the BIOS and see for sure if the BIOS reads the drive as a
WD3200BEKT. Also, is the drive labe3led Seagate or Western Digital?
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Depends on the cloning software. I've had WD software do the same thing, never allocates the whole drive. Always have to use PartitionMagic to recover the remaining and it never fails.
My version says it works up to 80GB drive, but I use in my 250 without issue.
A 50 to a 320 should have given a boot partition of 50 and 270 remaining. Doesn't matter as long as the total is 320. BTW, 320 formatted is probably closer to 300.
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Welcome back Geek-9pm! Here we go...
Why did you buy a WD3200BEKT ?
To replace the 50G hard drive inside my laptop. I finally ran out of space.
Were you told that it would work inside the laptop?
It is categorized as in internal notebook hard drive on Newegg.com and as far as I can tell, the same on WD's site for the Scorpio Black model.
Yes, I made a mistake earlier. It is Western Digital.
You have to go into the BIOS and see for sure if the BIOS reads the drive as a
WD3200BEKT.
Ok, about the BIOS, will the hd be picked up while in the enclosure? If not, I'll need help with how to access anything with the new drive in the laptop since it's blank at the moment.
Thanks a bunch!
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I see no listing for Dell Dell Inspiron E1505. Are you sure about this? Maybe BIOS won't support 320GB. Is the 320 inside the laptop or in the external USB enclosure? Where is the 50 now?
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A 50 to a 320 should have given a boot partition of 50 and 270 remaining. Doesn't matter as long as the total is 320
I agree! But that wasn't the case. I just ended up with 50 and then after messing around, 50 unallocated. So how exactly is the rest recovered? (Sorry if I'm missing something!) Create a partition - max size is still 50. Create another - splits the 50. Delete partitions - left with 50 unallocated. Format disk - again 50 unallocated.
<Sigh>
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Please answer questions in my previous post.
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Oh no! Where are you looking for the Dell listing, on WD's site? And how do I check what the BIOS supports?
I have been swapping the two drives depending on what I need to do. I had the WD in when booting from the Diagnostic CD. Right now, the WD drive is in the enclosure.
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I found it on Dell, listed under Inspiron 6400/E1505
http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&ServiceTag=&SystemID=INSPIRONI6400/E1505&os=WW1&osl=en&catid=&impid=
All Dells have a Service Tag, if you enter that in at www.support.dell.com, it tells all about your computer, even the Shipped Configuration.
I started to think why you only had a 50GB HDD. I think you may be in error about the 50, It's probably at least 100. Some is probably the hidden Dell restore partition. Enter the Service Tag and it will tell you or look at it real good, the next time you have it out.
BTW, does the 320 now have Windows installed? When the 320 is in the enclosure, some of the utilities might not function. If you cloned the drives, the Dell hidden partition is probably on the 320. Is that the space you are trying to get back? If so, reclone and you're good to go. Probably been good since the start.
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I know it's not specifically 50; I thought it originally had 60 actually. This is just a rounded number for what I keep seeing with all this hard drive stuff. As we speak, my C drive has a total of 50.6 and the new (F) drive has 54.4. Do I need to find out anything else?
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Please read...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16822136280
Most of the reviews are positive.
But a number are really bad.
The short term failure rate is rather high. :o
Others have also been critical of this WD model.
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Have we come to a stand-still? Wouldn't the WD Diagnostic tool pick up any errors? So you now think it's the hard drive and not something that's fixable?
I did read the reviews beforehand and between the WD and Seagate, they both had the same ratio of good:bad. :-\
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I know it's not specifically 50; I thought it originally had 60 actually. This is just a rounded number for what I keep seeing with all this hard drive stuff. As we speak, my C drive has a total of 50.6 and the new (F) drive has 54.4. Do I need to find out anything else?
Which Disk do you refer to? On the original Disk (which is unknown in size) or the new 320?
Be very specific when referring to Disks and Partitions and Drives, You only have 2 Disks, which may have more than 1 Partition which may or may not have a Drive Letter.
I suggest starting over. Put the original Disk back in the Dell and clone it to the external Disk (320). Put the 320 back in the Dell, go to Windows Disk Management, capture the picture and post it here.
You originally said: "...I have a brand new hd with 50GB of unallocated space..." I think we've been doing all this for nothing. The unallocated space is the Dell hidden restore partition, probably bigger than it needs to be because of the clone. Instead of cloning, copy the 2 partitions with Easeus. Then you'll have 100+GB of unallocated which you can add to the boot partition.
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Be specific - will do.
I meant that I know the "50" (original disk) is probably closer to 60G. Right now, my C drive is the original 50 and I labeled the 320 as F (but it only shows 50 in total size). Do you think cloning again onto the 320 will make the rest of the capacity reappear? Because right now it would seem I'm cloning 50 to a 50. I'll go through the process if you really think it'll make a difference.
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I was editing while you were posting, sorry.
You originally said: "...I have a brand new hd with 50GB of unallocated space..." I think we've been doing all this for nothing. The unallocated space is the Dell hidden restore partition, probably bigger than it needs to be because of the clone. I completely forgot about those hidden partitions.
Instead of cloning, Copy all the partitions from the original disk (2 partitions, I think) with Easeus, or whatever. Then you'll have 100+GB of unallocated space which you can add to the boot partition. Make sure when you do the copy, they are in the same order, don't know if the Dell one is first or last, but probably first. It won't have a drive letter because they don't want you to mess with it.
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Nope, that sounded wrong, sorry about that.
I meant that after all the trouble, I have a brand new hard drive with only 50G of unallocated space (where's the rest?). After the clone, when I first realized that the rest of the space (270) on the "320" disk was missing, I deleted the partitions thinking everything would go back to the way it was.
So we're still on the same track?
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I completely forgot about those hidden partitions.
All the partitions from the original 50 disk were cloned, including any hidden/recovery partitions. I'll post the link again to the guide I was using. This part below assured me that even though I was making an exact image of a 50 onto a 320, I would still be able to use the rest of the space:
"So we'll choose As Is. This will make all the partitions on our new drive the exact same size as the old drive. This is a tremendous waste of space! We have a 500GB drive, and it will look like less than 150GB, just like the current drive. That's okay. The plan is to copy all the partitions over at the exact same size, preserving the functionality of the recovery and diagnostic sections, then manually adjust the size of the primary OS partition after we have the drive cloned."
Guide: http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2345356,00.asp
Please take a look at the guide for me, just the section about cloning, and you'll see exactly what I did. Do you think it would have made a difference if I chose "Manual" instead of "As is"?
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Do this first:
...I have a brand new hard drive with only 50G of unallocated space (where's the rest?). ...So we're still on the same track?
That's not possible if it's 100% unallocated. Can you post a pic from the opening page of PM 8.0? Should look like this:
[Saving space, attachment deleted by admin]
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Jeez... I can't figure out how to post a pic here. Help?
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...Guide: http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2345356,00.asp
Please take a look at the guide for me, just the section about cloning, and you'll see exactly what I did. Do you think it would have made a difference if I chose "Manual" instead of "As is"?
It should look like this, but you're saying your's doesn't?
This is the "As Is"
(http://common.ziffdavisinternet.com/util_get_image/20/0,1425,sz=1&i=204788,00.jpg)
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Well I don't remember now exactly, but I'm sure the big chunk of unallocated space wasn't there! And even afterward, wouldn't that have shown up in Disk Management or Partition Master, etc?
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I know that everything was peachy until the very last step when it mentioned Diskpart for WinXP... went straight downhill from there.
Finally got the pic! I've been messing with Disk 2 (the 320) so there it is. I have to step out and will be back in about 20. Hope to continue this when I return!
[Saving space, attachment deleted by admin]
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You figured out how to post an image. ;D
Disk 2 is a 320GB? It's not an "As Is" Clone of Disk 1 and I have no idea where the remaining space has gone.
Following this guide: http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,2345356,00.asp
... I used the free trial of Acronis' Migrate Easy 7.0. Yes, before cloning, the full 320GB was recognized by XP. I wasn't so worried since the last part of the guide said the partition could simply be extended. Tricky tricky, the guide also says (in other words) that it's much easier in Vista and complicated to nearly impossible for XP.
Since you used the Free Trial version, why not use the free version from WD? It may have other options and is sure to support WD, whereas the one you used, who knows?
http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?groupid=703&sid=3&lang=en
* Acronis True Image WD Edition (121MB)
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At first, it was an exact copy and it worked too when I swapped drives. But since then, I've been deleting/creating partitions, and so on. So you see what I mean now? I'll try WD's version, but do you think the 320 will suddenly appear?
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1. At first, it was an exact copy and it worked too when I swapped drives.
2. But since then, I've been deleting/creating partitions, and so on. So you see what I mean now?
3. I'll try WD's version, but do you think the 320 will suddenly appear?
1. If you can get back to there, that's you goal.
2. I do.
3. I was looking at it while you were away. Don't think it has any cloning options, but am not sure, Manual was not helpful. Use the Trial Version if you think you can return to #1, if not use the WD version to restore the 320, then use the Trial. If you can return to #1, then merging the unallocated space should be straight forward. I want to see an exact copy with unallocated space like in the example. If you are successful, put it back inside the laptop, and perform the remaining operations there. Doing it while USB is iffy and much slower.
BTW, Disk1 has 4 partitions (ignore the small one at the end, a lot of partitioners leave it there for no reason I know of), the 3rd one is odd, probably links to the Dell partition, but may have to be at the end of the new one. If you ever get to the point of 100GB allocated space, don't merge it, create a D-Drive and store all your data on it.
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One hiccup...
1. If you can get back to there, that's you goal.
It worked, but... the 270 was still missing. If I didn't care that spent $$ for all that space in the first place, then I would have continued using the cloned 50. ;)
Ok, I'll try WD's tool and post what happens. Here goes...!
Thanks for stickin' it out with me. :)
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One hiccup...
It worked, but... the 270 was still missing. If I didn't care that spent $$ for all that space in the first place, then I would have continued using the cloned 50. ;)
Ok, I'll try WD's tool and post what happens. Here goes...!
You mean an "As Is" clone with no unallocated space? If yes, then it didn't work. If you don't see a full 320, then it has failed. It should look like the sample pic from the instruction website.
This is your goal. It has not worked until it looks like this:
(http://common.ziffdavisinternet.com/util_get_image/20/0,1425,sz=1&i=204788,00.jpg)
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...Ok, I'll try WD's tool and post what happens. Here goes...!...
Found this in the Manual:
Important: You can obtain the latest version of Acronis True
Image WD Edition from our website (requires a WD drive serial
number). To install your drive(s) without using this software, follow
the “Alternate Instructions for Installing a Drive” on page 3.
Acronis True Image WD Edition is a software that assists you with
your hard drive installation and management. Its features include
cloning, drive migration, drive deployment, image backup, and
recovery. In addition, Acronis True Image WD Edition allows you to
create bootable recovery media and full drive image backups that
can be used to recover your entire system or to simply restore a file
or folder. For further information, download the software and its
corresponding user manual at http://support.wdc.com/retailkit.
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Can you post your Dell Service Tag? No personal information is there. I have a difficult time believing a 2 year old laptop only has a 60GB HDD. Need the Service Tag to verify what was shipped. I assume you bought it new? Also, you you posting here on this same Dell laptop or a different computer?
Look what I found; Add support for hard drives over 137GB.
http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&releaseid=R121517&SystemID=INSPIRONI6400/E1505&servicetag=&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=10216&devlib=0&typecnt=0&vercnt=2&catid=-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=25&typeid=-1&dateid=-1&formatid=-1&fileid=212557
After reading the Guide in the download, I'm sure what the function is.
Free bootable partition manager: Parted Magic (http://partedmagic.com/)
This may explain all the additional partitions:
Recovery disc (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recovery_disc)
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I have a difficult time believing a 2 year old laptop only has a 60GB HDD.
From my order confirmation: 60GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive for Inspiron 6400/E1505
No joke! :P Was ordered in May 2006. But why does it matter what the existing hard drive's capacity is? I remember there were options for larger sizes, but I didn't think I would need much space, ha! I did buy it new and I've been posting both from this laptop and another.
I don't think it's any use to re-clone because any program I use is still only seeing 50G on the "320" hard drive. The IT Director at my office is looking at it today, but I don't think he has any other suggestions rather than what I've see on this forum.
After reading the Guide in the download, I'm sure what the function is.
Is there a glimmer of hope? I'm not able to download and view the guide now while at work, but will check it out later. Thanks for finding this! :D
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1. But why does it matter what the existing hard drive's capacity is?
2. The IT Director at my office is looking at it today, but I don't think he has any other suggestions rather than what I've see on this forum.
3. Is there a glimmer of hope?...
1. May explain why the "add-in" is not installed and why no apps from Windows see all of the external 320.
2. Never met one that did. ;)
3. If the "add-in" doesn't work, nothing will work from within Windows. Put the 320 into the Dell, boot to Parted Magic, delete all the partitions and start over. I tried Parted Magic today, to see if and how it works (no WD drives in my computers, except my USB WD 60 Passport, same 60 as yours), if I ever move past WinXP (Partition Magic does not support OS past WinXP). I did not try attaching a USB drive but it does support external drives. Parted Magic boots from the CD, loads everything to RAM, then you remove the CD. Clone from the external 60 to the internal 320. Boot the 320, then install the "add-in" if necessary. The "add-in" may be only necessary for external media over 137GB.
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Parted Magic Update
I have booted to Parted Magic and am typing this from it! It's a GUI desktop, Linux OS based.
It's able to connect to the network (thru Start Network icon) and start Firefox, Google is default homepage.
I'd give you a screenshot, but it has no tools. It's a very limited OS. Total RAM usage is 125MB.
Parted Magic is able to see all USB drives, including flash cards. I see no drive functions, i.e. cloning options, only Partition functions: Delete, Resize/Move, Copy.
This may actually be better. Since you're not booted to the 320, delete partitions on the 320, then copy 1 partition at a time from the USB 60, from the beginning to end in order.
If computer BIOS does not support 48-bit LBA, nothing will work, except a BIOS update, if there is one.
The full capacity of EIDE drives larger than 137GB (128GB binary) is not recognized in Windows 2000/XP. (http://wdc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/wdc.cfg/php/enduser/popup_adp.php?p_faqid=928&p_created=1049320914&p_sid=RpNDJArh&p_lva=&p_li=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX3Jvd19jbnQ9NTMmcF9zZWFyY2hfdHlwZT1zZWFyY2hfZm5sJnBfcGFnZT0xJnBfc2VhcmNoX3RleHQ9ZHJpdmUgc2l6ZSBsaW1pdHM*)
What version do you have?
http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/previousversions.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&SystemID=INSPIRONI6400/E1505&releaseid=R158849&formatid=-1&deviceid=10430&formatcnt=1&dateid=-1&releasetype=BIOS&servicetag=&typeid=-1&catid=1&libid=1&impid=-1&osl=en&vercnt=9&os=WW1
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Look what I found; Add support for hard drives over 137GB.
http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&releaseid=R121517&SystemID=INSPIRONI6400/E1505&servicetag=&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=10216&devlib=0&typecnt=0&vercnt=2&catid=-1&impid=-1&formatcnt=1&libid=25&typeid=-1&dateid=-1&formatid=-1&fileid=212557
After reading the Guide in the download, I'm sure what the function is.
Great Work, Computer_Commando.
That is the exact problem.
He has to to apply the fix.
Reboot the system.
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Just wanted to drop a note and express my thanks through all of this! I am currently waiting for the new hd drive (RMA exchange through NewEgg) to arrive and I will be sure NOT to clone a darn thing! This time around, I will simply swap the drives and attempt a clean install of W7 (even though the license is for an upgrade). We'll see how that goes!
Many many thanks for all your brainstorming efforts.
I might be posting again for a new project: upgrading a Dell Inspiron 530 desktop...
;D
- Jasmine