Help with large disk support problem

[qstorm77]

hello i have a question, rather a problem. i set up windows ME and choose to enable large disk support for my hard drive but i soon realized that that might be a problem when it comes to partitioning. cause now i want to dual boot from the drive and it wont let me add another partition is there a way around this or do i have to FORMAT .....someone help me out please

[Cody]

Ok...

The way I understand it is that you have a single Hard Drive (for this, let's just assume 40GB). On that partition, you have 1 single partition for Windows Me.

You now wish to add a partition, but it won't let you.

If I am correct in my understanding, what you need to do is shrink the originial partition.

The best and easiest way to do this is get Partition Magic.

[qstorm77]

i have partition magic 6 and seven neither will access the partition the both sat i have a bad partition and wont access it.

[Brangwen]

qstorm:

This may sound like a drastic solution, but perhaps backing up your data and performing a clean OS will be your quickest solution in the long run.

In the alternative:

As a frequent PM user I've no idea why you're having this difficulty. Perhaps their (Power Quest) or WinME's tech support having something on point regarding your problem. I'd search it out but I must prepare for work.

Good luck.

Brangwen ;)

[Timbob505]

I agree with Brangwen - I've never heard of this type of error before. I'd do the backup and reformat. When you fdisk, just go ahead and create 2 or more partitions from the start. If you need help with fdisk, let us know!

Timbob

[Cody]

I hate to sound like a real jerk, but that always seems to be the solution here: Backup and Reinstall!

Step 1) Do a Scandisk to check the drive integrity. I recommend doing the full scan (It should complete overnight). Then try PM again.
Step 2) Call Partition Magic Technical Support


Now, doesn't that sound more constructive???

:P

[shahani]

I'd also go with Cody, only do a clean boot with a dos disk, fdisk with /mbr switch, format (not quick and with /s switch to make C: bootable, reboot from C: and do a thorough scandisk including surface test. Remember to copy scandisk from floppy to C: or run it from floppy. This may take several hours, Now install OS/PM and see. If all this doesnt solve the problem, your hard disk is the problem.

[jad1097]

What error code does it give you? Does PM give you the option to repair it? The partition table may be trashed. If the partition table is trashed then you may or may not be able to fix it without reformatting. Are you running it in Windows or DRDOS(the two floppies)? fdisk /mbr then sys C: may work



Is the entire drive formatted into one partition or is their some free space left.


By enabling large disk support you just chose to format it to Fat32 instead of fat. How to Use the Fdisk Tool and the Format Tool (http://support.microsoft.com/directory/article.asp?ID=KB;EN-US;Q255867)

[club_med]

Man I remember having trouble a while back with my brand hew 40gb HDD from WD and my old (6 years) unknown mobo.

Believe it or not it worked (after many tears).

No problems since then.
club_med.