Bigger is Better!
Jan 16 '00
Regarding: A Problem With Gigantic Hard Drives?
Hard drive prices have dropped to astonishingly low levels. You can pick up most large drives for around $10 a gigabyte, and often less. Consumer demand due to the increasing ability of the end user to perform computer upgrades helped prices drop to the present levels.
However, there is a catch:
While we all want screaming fast systems with enormous storage capacity, older computers require preparatory upgrades before the system will properly recognize the drive capacity. In addition, very old systems can become problematic as no recognition of the new hard drive commonly occurs. Other reviewers skillfully covered arguments regarding making the decision to upgrade or to purchase a new computer. My only suggestion in that regard falls with the, “If its really old, you need more than a larger hard drive,” school. This Epinion offers a few solutions to the problems encountered when adding to or replacing a smaller hard drive with one of the new large-capacity hard drives. I hope my experience will ease the process for others considering this upgrade.
Last year, I purchased a Maxtor 17.4 GB HD for installation in my Gateway P-266. My older system and four-gigabyte hard drive were in dire need of upgrades. Replacement was not an option at the time. I headed to the computer manufacturer's support site to find a Flash BIOS upgrade. These upgrades are free from the manufacturer, to a point. Once the system is a few years out of date, the manufacturer will most likely not provide current Flash BIOS upgrades. As I obsess over keeping all of my systems current, I already had the latest upgrade. You can check the current version by watching the boot up process on your system and noting the version of your BIOS. When I installed my hard drive, without reading any associated documentation included with the bare drive, it only recognized 8.4 GB. Only then did I read the instructions that Maxtor kindly enclosed with my new drive. The story of my life: Act first, read the directions last!
Specific instructions give directions to the Maxtor web site [http://www.maxtor.com] to download the latest version of MaxBlast (located at http://www.maxtor.com/maxblast/.) Directions, for installation and use of the applications, provide guidance throughout the process. This utility is provided free of charge to all Maxtor Customers. MaxBlast is the Maxtor version of EZ-Drive by StorageSoft, Inc. (makers of: EZ-Copy, EZ-Smart, DrivePro, EZ-SelfTest, ImageCast IC3 and other utilities.) Western Digital offers their own version of EZ-Drive on their website. Should you encounter the identical problem with large hard drives by other manufacturers, the manufacturer's site will have either a free download for their version of EZ-Drive or direct you to the StorageSoft, Inc. web site to download the software.
This utility not only allows the BIOS to recognize hard drives, normally unrecognizable due to storage size barriers, it also quickly performs the fdisk and format. The same group of applications, contained within MaxBlast, assists in moving applications, programs, files, etc. as well as backing up old system settings. If your BIOS will not support the new, large hard drive, it discovers that fact during the initial process and offers the option of installing the EZ-BIOS application, which remedies that problem. Once MaxBlast has your drive ready for use, it serves as a guide through your operating system installation process. It is free, fast and best of all it works.
As defined by Maxtor:
MaxBlast is a one-step, IDE hard drive installation utility. It makes hard drive installations and upgrades hassle-free for novices and professionals alike by automatically identifying, partitioning, and formatting any IDE hard drive, making it data-ready in just minutes. MaxBlast supports Enhanced IDE and Fast ATA standards, and breaks the 528 MB, 2.1 GB, 4.2 GB, 8.4 GB & 32 GB storage capacity barriers, supporting multiple drive partitions. It also supports Windows 95B and Windows 98 - 32-bit File Allocation Table.
MaxBlast Features:
· One step installation and setup.
· Allows up to four IDE devices in the same system.
· EZ-Copy lets you make an exact duplicate of you existing hard drive.
· Breaks the Capacity Barriers of 528 MB, 2.1 GB, 4.2 GB, 8.4 & 32 GB.
· Fast ATA and Enhanced IDE compatible.
· Windows '95, '95b & 98 compatible.
· Detailed jumper settings for all common IDE hard drives.
· Extensive context sensitive help.
· Creates a bootable floppy diskette.
· There must be at least one Maxtor Hard Disk Drive installed in the system for MaxBlast to run.
· If you are trying to set up a new drive and MaxBlast cannot find it, the application directs you to a troubleshooting section.
Before starting the EZ-Drive installation process go into System Setup (achieved by using the function key noted upon boot up) and make the appropriate changes as per the directions that come with your new hard drive. Also, make the necessary jumper setting changes when physically installing the hard drive. Find the correct settings in the documentation that comes with the hard drive or simply look at the diagram on the hard drive itself. Use the jumper settings specified on the EZ-Drive web site if drive recognition problems arise.
Most of the EZ-Drive free software provided at the hard drive manufacturer sites contain at the very least: EZ-Drive, One Step IDE Hard Drive Installation & Setup Software; EZ-S.M.A.R.T, The Application to help Prevent Hard Drive Disasters; EZ-Copy, Copy One Drive to Another; EZ-BIOS, corrects the problems addressed above. To date, I have used this software on older systems with great success, with one exception. I was assisting a friend, via long distance, through the installation of both the EZ-Drive software, which was flawless, and then through the hard drive and operating system installation, which was a glitchy mess thanks to his not having the following within reach as requested. Be advised, have the following on hand before beginning:
· Your Start Up Boot Disk for the operating system you will be installing
· Your Computer Manufacturer's system disks (CD and floppy disks)
· Printer, scanner, peripheral software and drivers on disk
· Your operating system disk(s) and the CD Key for the operating system
· Several blank formatted floppy disks
· Extra jumper bridges just in case you need to use the EZ-Drive jumper settings (they require additional bridges)
· Copies of backed up programs, personal files, ISP and modem settings, etc.
· Read the entire Read Me text files before beginning.
· Do not try this via long distance even if the party doing the upgrade is the sweetest newbie on earth.
For those who would rather just get the actual BIOS upgrade necessary to support the new hard drives for their older systems, these can be purchased from Micro-Firmware at [http://www.firmware.com/index.htm]. Check with your computer manufacturer first for a free Flash BIOS upgrade. If one is not available, it is a safe bet that the site will provide a link to Micro-Firmware. The cost of BIOS upgrades run seventy dollars and up.
For those installing larger Western Digital hard drives use the following link to access the Data Lifeguard Tools which are the WD version of EZ-Drive:
http://www.westerndigital.com/service/ftp/drives.html#dlgtools
This page provides the download links and an explanation of each application within Data Lifeguard Tools.
I found, in most situations, the various OEM versions of EZ-Drive perform as promised. Short of purchasing a BIOS upgrade, this group of utilities provides the answer to storage capacity barrier and drive recognition problems. My initial experience with Maxtor’s version of EZ-Drive had my system up and running in less than one hour, including operating system installation. For fast, relatively simple large hard drive installation, I highly recommend the various EZ-Drive utilities.
Access StorageSoft, Inc for information on EZ-Drive at:
http://www.storagesoft.com/
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pogomom
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Web/puter person who, disguised as mild-mannered Pogomom, offers unsolicited opinions to all she encounters.
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