Hard drive size.

[69Z28]

I just formatted what I thought was a 20GB hard drive but the Bios set up utility indicates hard disk is 8455MB. Would this be correct or was the hard drive mis-labled?

[Salmon Trout]

How old is this computer?

[EEVIAC]

If this is the same computer, Inspiron 3000, your going to need a bios update for any space over 8455 MB (8.4 GB) to be recognized...  This is "LBA" support which was added to computers around 1998.  But your computer doesn't seem to have it..  

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&os=WW1&osl=en&SystemID=INS_PNT_PNT_3000&catid=-1&impid=-1

Use the link to download and install the latest bios update from DELL.  I'm not totally sure if this update includes the LBA support you need, but it's dated 2000, so it just might..  Read the instructions CAREFULLY, when updating your bios...  If you make a mistake, your computer will be a paper weight..  If this update doesn't do the trick, we might look for one at Intel..

[EEVIAC]

I would just like to add that if this updates works, it will recognize drives up to 137 GB, using an NTFS file system.  You've already got Windows XP installed, so you've met the file system/OS requirements for space recognition that large..  I don't know if you can purchase any drives for your computer that large, but just so you know...

[69Z28]

If this is the same computer, Inspiron 3000, your going to need a bios update for any space over 8455 MB (8.4 GB) to be recognized...  This is "LBA" support which was added to computers around 1998.  But your computer doesn't seem to have it..  

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&os=WW1&osl=en&SystemID=INS_PNT_PNT_3000&catid=-1&impid=-1

Use the link to download and install the latest bios update from DELL.  I'm not totally sure if this update includes the LBA support you need, but it's dated 2000, so it just might..  Read the instructions CAREFULLY, when updating your bios...  If you make a mistake, your computer will be a paper weight..  If this update doesn't do the trick, we might look for one at Intel..

Hello EEVIAC---yes it is the same laptop. I was wondering why the HD wasn't showing near what it says it is. If I did do this download can you walk me thru it?

Gary

[EEVIAC]

I'll do what I can...  I won't be near the computer every minute today, but I'll do what I can..  Once the update is complete, you might have to enable LBA mode in the bios.  I don't know if it automatically happens...

[Computer_Commando]

All BIOS versions shown in the link provided, have exactly the same date.  An Inspiron 3000 may be limited to 8.4GB.  Are you positive it's a 20GB drive?  8GB drives were very common at that time.  I have an Inspiron 7000 with an 8GB, replaced with an 18GB, never an issue with any OS.  LBA not required until drive surpasses 137GB.
http://www.48bitlba.com/

[69Z28]

All BIOS versions shown in the link provided, have exactly the same date.  An Inspiron 3000 may be limited to 8.4GB.  Are you positive it's a 20GB drive?  8GB drives were very common at that time.  I have an Inspiron 7000 with an 8GB, replaced with an 18GB, never an issue with any OS.  LBA not required until drive surpasses 137GB.
http://www.48bitlba.com/

It better be. I just bought it. It says 20GB on the label.

[Computer_Commando]

It better be. I just bought it. It says 20GB on the label.

New or used?  If BIOS reports 8.4GB, that's all it will ever see unless an update fixes it.  I suspect that's it because BIOS says 8.4, not 8.0.
Here's a link to the limitations:
BIOS Limitations

Issues fixed in A06 revision of the Dell Inspiron 3000 BIOS

1. Disable DIM LCD mode when Power Management is set to "Disabled" in the BIOS
2. Dell QuietKey keyboard did not work after resume from Save 2 Ram.
3. System could hang when installing Win98 onto a hard drive that did not have an existing partition if the user booted the system from the Win98 CD.
4. ZIP drive disappears after the system is restarted.

Flash A06 and pray!

[69Z28]

If this is the same computer, Inspiron 3000, your going to need a bios update for any space over 8455 MB (8.4 GB) to be recognized...  This is "LBA" support which was added to computers around 1998.  But your computer doesn't seem to have it..  

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/driverslist.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&os=WW1&osl=en&SystemID=INS_PNT_PNT_3000&catid=-1&impid=-1

Use the link to download and install the latest bios update from DELL.  I'm not totally sure if this update includes the LBA support you need, but it's dated 2000, so it just might..  Read the instructions CAREFULLY, when updating your bios...  If you make a mistake, your computer will be a paper weight..  If this update doesn't do the trick, we might look for one at Intel..

EEVIAC---your link I downloaded is a Dell Driver Download Manager about 10Kbytes I had to download NET Frame 3.5 for XP SP1. I opened it, ran it, and not sure whats happing next.

[EEVIAC]

LBA not required until drive surpasses 137GB.

Yes, it is.  Approx. 1998, Original LBA 28-bit was added to the industry standard, which helped drives get past the 8.4 GB limit.  Before that, drives were accessed using CHS.  48-bit LBA support, which was added around 2001, enabled a drive to go past 137 GB

[Computer_Commando]

My mistake, I should have said 48-bit LBA.

From WDC website:
8.4GB Barrier:
There is an 8.4GB drive limitation on some traditional system BIOSs. To access the full capacity of 8.4GB and larger drives, your system BIOS must support extended BIOS functions, and your operating system must recognize extended BIOS functions. It is difficult to determine if your system BIOS supports 8.4GB or larger drives. Please contact your system or motherboard manufacturer for this information.

Since the BIOS sees 8.4GB, it's a BIOS issue.

[EEVIAC]

basically, what I already said..


A BIOS upgrade with 28-bit LBA support will fix the problem, IF the bios update includes 28-bit LBA support... However, his bios will never support a drive larger than 137 GB... I doubt there is an update for 48bit support

[EEVIAC]

My mistake, I should have said 48-bit LBA.

You are forgiven 

[Computer_Commando]

...A BIOS upgrade with 28-bit LBA support will fix the problem, IF the bios update includes 28-bit LBA support... However, his bios will never support a drive larger than 137 GB... I doubt there is an update for 48bit support

I looked at the details of all the BIOS updates and none say anthing about it.  I say flash it and see what happens; as it has a value of about $0, nothing to lose.

[69Z28]

EEVIAC---your link I downloaded is a Dell Driver Download Manager about 10Kbytes I had to download NET Frame 3.5 for XP SP1. I opened it, ran it, and not sure whats happing next.

Nothing happen.

[EEVIAC]

it has a value of about $0

I'm not so sure about that, he seems pretty excited about his laptop... 

no offense 69Z28   

[EEVIAC]

Nothing happen.

What do you mean.. Did you update already ?

You might have to ENABLE LBA support in the bios.  Like the way you enabled you onboard sound in the other thread.

[69Z28]

What do you mean.. Did you update already ?

You might have to ENABLE LBA support in the bios.  Like the way you enabled you onboard sound in the other thread.

I'm in BIOS now. I don't see anything in regards to LBA. What section would it be in?

Come on guys---It's not that the old laptop has any value to me, it's the information that I am learning from these fixes that I am gaining knowledge from.

[69Z28]

Just did a bunch of reading on the LBA. Don't seem to be an easy task to overcome or even if it can be done with this 3000.

Let me know what you all think. This is all just a learning thing for me.

[EEVIAC]

I have no idea what your bios options/menus are.  There all different.  If you've searched all the MAIN menus and SUB menus, and see nothing about LBA, and/or it's still not recognizing the whole drive, then the update did not include LBA support... Nothing you can do

[Computer_Commando]

1.  I'm in BIOS now. I don't see anything in regards to LBA. What section would it be in?
2. Come on guys---It's not that the old laptop has any value to me, it's the information that I am learning from these fixes that I am gaining knowledge from.

1.  You won't see anything in the BIOS regarding LBA.  I'm pretty sure you're stuck at 8.4GB.  Original HDD was no larger than 4GB, which was plenty for Win98.
2.  I understand, you want to learn; just offering my experience.  If something does go wrong with the flash, it's not like you've killed a new laptop.
I've got the Inspiron 7000, actually a Compal, (not Compaq) made for Quantex.  Hardware is identical, but the BIOS differs.  All Dells have customized BIOS.  Bought it new in mid-1999, it's a Pentium II-333MHz.  Your Inspiron 3000 is not a Pentium II, but a Pentium Mobile MMX-266MHz, or lower.  I estimate your I-3000 to be 1998-99.
http://support.dell.com/support/systemsinfo/document.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&~file=/systems/ptwist/specs.htm

[69Z28]

I can live with what I have. I got it for free without a hard drive about 5 years ago. Works pretty good from. I might be able to pick up another laptop a bit newer from where my wife works. They change laptops all the time.


Thanks for being frank about all this stuff. I'm economically stressed (no job) at the moment and don't see anything coming up any time soon. So I have time on my hands to maybe check out and learn some things about computers.

G

[69Z28]

I was able to utilize all the space on the 20gb hard drive I installed on my Dell Inspiron 3000 laptop. I found this on AOL Discover. Just type on Zoom! How to speed up Windows.

In short it explains how to convert from a FAT32 system to the NTFS, New Technology File System that all new computers are using that have Windows XP and newer OS. Before I couldn't use any more than 7.2 GB on this 20GB hard drive. Once I converted to NTFS I can utilize the hole hard drive. Very simple to convert and is suppose to make the hard drive more reliable, secure and faster.