HDD-500GB, I only get 127GB

[bender]

I got a HDD with 500GB but I only can use 127GB.
It doesn't matter how I use it. Internal or external
or different PC or different windows. IT's an IDE. I did format it.
what should I do to make the full usage of the 500GB?

[digilox]

It might be that your motherboard can't recognise such a large HDD ...... just a guess but I had a similar problem way back in the Windows 98 days when HDD's were about 16gb and I had bought a 40gb ... MB didn't want to know about it !

Check you MB specs (??)

[bender]

I got 1TB HDD-ok with external usage

I got 1TB HDD connected externally & I got 932GB.
With the same PC connected this HDD 500GB I
got 127GB. Also I mentioned I did tried with different PC.

[ramjet]

what format did you use ?

I think fat32 can only manage 127 gig (or maybe 32 gig) and you need to use ntfs

alternatively it could be an xp limit, so it may be better to use the free tool easeUS partitioning tool downloaded from their website

also read through this _http://whirlpool.net.au/wiki/hdd_lim

[bender]

thanks

will try to study that info. when time permit.
By the way, it was formatted with NTFS.

[liamc3000]

On windows open up their disk management software and then find the portable hdd in the list then right click and select extend volume and you should be able to expand the partition.

[XRay333]

Old Computer BIOS limits

On the "Older" computers the System (motherboard) BIOS could only "See" 127 mb max hard drive and way back then a new hard drive came with software to fool the system into seeing the true size. I would recomend that you go to the hard drive makers site and download the software for it. If you don't find what your looking for PM me with Brand and model number and I'll send you a copy of the software right for you.