02-26-2009, 02:46 PM
I'm assuming this is XP, and the formated from ground zero.
In that case most peopls XP CD's are prior to any service packs. This means they have a partition capacity limit of .. I forget the exact amount but its like around 127 / 130 gig. Sp2 and above fixes this, so the OS can regonize larger partitions. Vista also can have larger partitions.
What happens in the install process, is XP ask if you want to format, you say yes and if defines the partition size. If you have a 500 gig drive it will only partition the first 127 gig.
The fix is first patch xp with all available Service packs. You need to at least get to SP2. You then run computer management in your control panel under administrative tools. There is a Disk Management tab, that will allow you to create a new partition for the unused space on the HD. Note that its a good idea to leave about 8 gig unpartitioned if you have it, for restore utilities.
Oh yea when ever your messing with partitions, make 100% sure that you back up any important files. I try to always write everything in mydocs so that I have one place to back up data.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309000">http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309000</a><!-- m -->
In that case most peopls XP CD's are prior to any service packs. This means they have a partition capacity limit of .. I forget the exact amount but its like around 127 / 130 gig. Sp2 and above fixes this, so the OS can regonize larger partitions. Vista also can have larger partitions.
What happens in the install process, is XP ask if you want to format, you say yes and if defines the partition size. If you have a 500 gig drive it will only partition the first 127 gig.
The fix is first patch xp with all available Service packs. You need to at least get to SP2. You then run computer management in your control panel under administrative tools. There is a Disk Management tab, that will allow you to create a new partition for the unused space on the HD. Note that its a good idea to leave about 8 gig unpartitioned if you have it, for restore utilities.
Oh yea when ever your messing with partitions, make 100% sure that you back up any important files. I try to always write everything in mydocs so that I have one place to back up data.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309000">http://support.microsoft.com/kb/309000</a><!-- m -->
Quote:How to use Disk Management
To start Disk Management:
1. Log on as administrator or as a member of the Administrators group.
2. Click Start, click Run, type compmgmt.msc, and then click OK.
3. In the console tree, click Disk Management. The Disk Management window appears. Your disks and volumes appear in a graphical view and list view. To customize how you view your disks and volumes in the upper and lower panes of the window, point to Top or Bottom on the View menu, and then click the view that you want to use.
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"If you want to change the world, be that change."
--Gandhi