I'm having problems with installing a new hard drive.

[Rayz]

Originally Posted by Rayz

No, I installed SP2 after I installed XP.

I think I just downloaded the correct BIOS update. I went to Compaq's website, entered my computer model, and downloaded the only BIOS update they had.

When I re-partion, do I just do the steps with only my new hard drive connected?

What if I have 5.1.2600.2180?

I did update my BIOs, and then told you about it.

Ugh. I'll end up buying that controller card later down the road. I don't have much spare cash right now.

Does it matter that the controller card you linked me to is ATA133, when my hard drive is ATA100? It won't mess up any data on the HD when I attach the card? That way I can go ahead and use the HD in till I want the extra space.
Whatever, I'll figure everything out when the time comes. I wish I knew all this before I spent all my money on a big HD.

Thanks for your help.

[BipolarBill]

The card will work fine. It supports all ATA hard drives - and optical too. If you do get it, you have to set the BIOS boot order to "SCSI" before the regular hard drive. The Promise is categorized as a SCSI card.

Did you check in BIOS Setup to be sure that 48-bit LBA (large block addressing) is enabled?

When your PC was first made, there were no drives bigger than about 75GB. They had no way of knowing that drives would get this big - or they didn't want to spend the bucks getting ready for it. The most likely reason is the latter.

You may be able to partition the remainder in Windows and use it as D. Give it a go. If not, you will need the card.