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

[Rayz]

I have two HDs in my computer. I want to replace the Master with a new HD, put the old Master as the Slave, and have the old Slave drive be completely off my computer. They are all ATA100.

My first problem is that I can't physically remove the Master. I unscrewed the Slave, and removed it just fine. I unscrewed the Master, but it won't come out. I felt around on the other side of the case, and felt a second screw. I can't reach the screw with anything because there's little space, and I can't see what I'm doing. I have to take the other side of the case completely off, but I don't know how.

I can't properly set the HDs up
Basically, this is whats happening.

New HD - Master
Old HD - Slave
Result: I instantly get a message saying "Disk boot failure. Insert system disk and press enter"

New HD - Master
Old HD - Not connected.
Result: I run windows fine. Everything is normal. I only have 127GB capacity though. My new HD is supposed to be 260GB. Where's my other half?

New HD - Slave
Old HD - Master
Result: My computer runs the same way it always has. This time I have two local disks, and my new HD still has 127GB.

I don't understand what the problem is. Any help on what to do?

[BipolarBill]

The entire drive cage can probably be removed from the left side. Look carefully for the fastener.

You can't just change the master and expect the system to start. You need to copy the old master's contents to the new drive. You can do that with the downloadable drive utility from the drive maker's support site. You must put the new drive in as a slave, copy to it and then move it to master with the old drive out. Once it boots properly, you can put the old drive in as a slave and format it.

It's surprising how much you didn't tell us.

- What is the new drive brand?

- Which Windows version do you have?

- How is Windows installed? Is Windows currently on the C drive or D?

The size problem could be caused by one of two things:

1. The motherboard BIOS needs updating.

2. Windows isn't updated properly. If it's Windows 2000, you need to edit the registry to allow for drives larger than 127GB. If it's XP, you need Service Pack 2 or 3.

[Rayz]

It's a Seagate.
Newegg.com - Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 "Perpendicular Recording" ST3250820A 250GB 7200 RPM 8MB Cache IDE Ultra ATA100 Hard Drive - Internal Hard Drives

I have Windows XP
I had it so only the new HD was connected. I placed the Windows XP installation disk in the computer, and performed an installation. Windows is on both drives.
I have SP 2 on both drives also.

I have a program called HD Capacity Restore. It reads that the drive is 250GB, but when I try to restore the space it says that the drive is being used, and that I need to remove it manually from Device Manager. I tried disabling and uninstalling, but nothing changes.

[BipolarBill]

Read here:

How to enable 48-bit Logical Block Addressing support for ATAPI disk drives in Windows XP

You will have to re-partition the drive if you want all 250GB to be in one place.

[BipolarBill]

Wait - SP2 was built into the setup CD?

Better check for a BIOS update and be sure that 48-bit is enabled in BIOS Setup.

[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?

If Atapi.sys is not version 5.1.2600.1135 (or version 5.1.2600.1152 for Windows XP 64-Bit Edition), obtain and install the hotfix that is described in Microsoft Knowledge Base article 331958.

What if I have 5.1.2600.2180?

[BipolarBill]

You installed SP2, so you have it now. You didn't have it when you set up because your original disk has no service pack.

What I did when this happened is I made the registry change and used Partition Magic to expand the C partition to fill the drive. You can use this:

Partition Logic

Your alternative is to slipstream SP2 into your Setup CD:

Slipstreaming Windows 2000, XP SP1/SP1a/SP2/SP3, Server 2003 SP1/SP2 (Windows 2000/XP/2003) - TACKtech Corp.

Easier method:

AutoStreamer 1.0.33 - Neowin Forums

Since you have already installed, do the registry edit:

Enable 48-bit LBA Support for Large Hard Drives at Registry Guide for Windows

Then use Partition Logic to expand to the full size of the drive.

[BipolarBill]

Originally Posted by Rayz

I have a program called HD Capacity Restore. It reads that the drive is 250GB, but when I try to restore the space it says that the drive is being used...

That's because Windows is installed and running on the drive. That's like trying to change a car engine while it's running. No can do. Besides, it's not what you needed anyway.

[Rayz]

So I use Partition Logic? Do virtual drives work? Or should I go ahead and burn it to a disk?

Alkso, how exactly do you use Partition Logic after it's burned?

[BipolarBill]

Rayz - do you want me to re-write what's already on the Partition Logic page for you? It's all there. Click the Install link on the left and then the Manual link > Main Window.

You need to "Resize" your paritition.