Bypassing 8GB BIOS limitation on old PC

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CalcProgrammer1

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I have an old PC, that I was running Windows 95 on. I was using it as an FTP server, but I came across an old 40GB hard drive and put it in this PC. However, 95 only recognized the first 8GB. This is probably a BIOS limitation, but I popped in my DSL Linux CD and it immediately recognized all 40GB of the drive. However, DSL runs slow on the machine, so I was thinking of installing Windows 98 instead. Is there a way to make Windows 98 use a software IDE driver to bypass the BIOS or are all early Microsoft OS'es stuck with this problem?
 
I checked, LBA is ON, that was the only option (ON or OFF). It is an early AMIBios version, dated up to 1995. Windows (Fdisk) reports that the disk is only 8000 something megabytes, however, the drive is 40. Linux detected the drive just fine when I had it installed, and picked up and formatted the drive as 40GB and worked...If I extend the Fat32 filesystem that Windows created (Win98 SE) using a Linux tool such as Gparted or QtParted, will that ruin the 98 or will it see all 40 gigs?
 
It could ruin it. If the BIOS doesn't see more than 8GB, and you are using a partition that is larger, maybe it won't boot.
 
If its XP, I think there's a way.
But nobody know very much about Win95 series that leads upto WinME. All act the same. And technically useless.
 
XP still wont get past the BIOS problem that is limiting him.

You need to download CPU-Z and see who made your motherboard. From there check the manufactorer site and see if they have a updated BIOS for it. From there download that and flash your BIOS to a newer version.

I knw it sounds long but in the end it will be worth it.
 
it's not a bios limitation, the linux cd will use the same bios
it's a problem with win95, or the file sys...
win98 has a limit of like 80 or 127.5 (something like that)

Most likely it is a file system limitation:
fat16 has a max volume size of 2(or 4)GB (he probably mas multiple partitions to make 8GB or more)
fat 32, has a limitation of 8TB, but will have to upgrade to 98
he IS on a fat16 drive, because win95 doesn't recognize fat32 partitions (source= http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314463)

check this out: (the table is easy to read)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_Allocation_Table

ooohh, oooh, I found something that says fat12&16's limit is also referred to as an "extended BIOS limitation" (that make sense)
 
fixal0t said:
it's not a bios limitation, the linux cd will use the same bios
it's a problem with win95, or the file sys...
win98 has a limit of like 80 or 127.5 (something like that)

Most likely it is a file system limitation:
fat16 has a max volume size of 2(or 4)GB (he probably mas multiple partitions to make 8GB or more)
fat 32, has a limitation of 8TB, but will have to upgrade to 98
he IS on a fat16 drive, because win95 doesn't recognize fat32 partitions (source= http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314463)

check this out: (the table is easy to read)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File_Allocation_Table

ooohh, oooh, I found something that says fat12&16's limit is also referred to as an "extended BIOS limitation" (that make sense)

it on or the other. if it a bios you need to go mak route. if it's os's fault you just find something (like an xp cd or partition magic) and format it as a fat32 drive
 
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