Large HDD

[Flash]

I just bought a Fujitsu 17.3Gb HDD to replace my old 6.4.
It is installed and working fine but Norton tells me it isn't configured properly. Is this because it isn't partitioned? If so, can I partition it without reformatting it.
I didn't realise it HAD to be partitioned if it was this large.
Please advise, cheers.

[Vampiel]

Sorry, fat32 doesnt support partitions over a certian gig's (I do not know the exect specs) fdisk will only allow you to partition them into 2.1gigs, so get a program called partition magic and it should tell you the max that fat32/ntfs supports. If you are using normal fat, to find out goto programs/accessories/system tools/drive converter, if you dont have it goto my computer, control panel, add/remove programs, windows setup tab, and insert your copy of windows and you can install it from that window, and then you can goto the fat32 (drive converter) and if it says that it is not fat32 then you should convert it (it's alot better) and it will support larger partitions as well as not lose as much performance with such large partitions although ntfs (you can only get this file system if you run winnt) has much better support as far as performance decrease goes for large partitions/HD's but it takes more space for each file because of a larger header (increased security) at the beggining of each file.
note : the larger your HD is the greater chance there is of it having problems.

[This message has been edited by Vampiel (edited 10-06-99).]

[This message has been edited by Vampiel (edited 10-06-99).]

[daveleau]

fat32 can support drives up to 3 terabites (or something like that /forum/smile.gif) adn should have no problems with a 17GB. Other than that, I can't tell. i also recommend Part. Majic or Part Commander to help with that. they are both great progs.

[daveleau]

also, if you used the software that comes with the drive to instal it, there could be a problem there. I have had serious problems with the Maxtor utilities and use the WD utilities whenever installing a HD because I get less partition errors.

[mykel]

Well I would recommend you backing up your computer then re-format it... But this time exit windows to dos prompt then type fdisk ( or betteryet use your harddisk driver that comes with your harddrive ) enable the fat32 partition ( it'll ask you ) the largest that you can get would be 8 GB, so that means your hard drive will be partitioned into three ( 8 + 8 + whatever is left ) then re-install everything..... And also you could get some performance improvement by doing so.. =) What Vampiel said was nice, but to tell you the truth, I wouldn't recommend it coz first of all it takes quite a while and secondly on my experience.. well let me put it this way, I had to re-format the whole thing anyways... Hope that helps and goodluck
*note* if you convert it to fat 32, norton will still warn tell you the same thing..

Mike

*hey guys how do you do that smiling face??? hehehehe...... /forum/smile.gif

[daveleau]

What setup are you using to only get 8 GB or so per partition? I have 2 HDs a 10 and a 13 and they are set up as single partitions and I have full use of them. Are you using Win 98 or 95B? You can have up to 3000 GB in a partition in WIN98 (3Terabytes)