Seagate ST36530A, ST39140A, ST34520A Addressing DRIVE-CAPACITY Limitations, Drive Partitioning

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ADDRESSING DRIVE-CAPACITY LIMITATIONS

Some DOS-based computers and operating systems are not designed to accommodate large hard disc drives. The three most common system limitations are listed below, along with methods for overcoming these limitations. See your system manual to determine which (if any) of these limitations applies to your computer.

528-Mbyte limit: The BIOS in some older computers cannot accommodate drives with capacities greater than 528 Mbytes. Seagate provides free Disk Manager software with your drive to overcome this limitation. Alternatively, you can purchase a hard drive controller or a BIOS upgrade that supports drives with capacities greater than 528 Mbytes.

The 32-bit disk access feature in Windows 3.1 does not work with drives that have capacities greater than 528 Mbytes. If you want to use 32-bit disk access with Windows 3.1, install the Seagate replacement driver 32-bit access driver, SEG32BIT.386 located on your DiscWizard diskette. For more information, refer to the back sheet of this poster.

4,092-cylinder limit: The BIOS in some computers cannot support drives that have more than 4,092 cylinders. If you install a drive that has more than 4,092 cylinders in one of these computers, the computer may “freeze” or fail to boot. If this occurs, see “Advanced Troubleshooting” on the back side of this sheet.

33B. STANDARD DOSbINSTALLATION

! Caution. Partitioning or formatting a drive erases all data on it. Seagate assumes no liability if you erase your data.

Drive Partitioning

Partitioning a hard drive divides it into sections (partitions) that function as separate logical drives (labeled C, D, E, etc.). Because DOS computers cannot access partitions larger than 2.1 Gbytes, you must divide large-capacity hard drives into multiple partitions. In creating partitions, keep in mind that the larger the partition, the more drive space is taken up in un- used clusters. To partition your new drive:

1Insert a bootable DOS diskette in your diskette drive and restart your computer (We recommend using DOS Version 5.0 or later).

2Insert a DOS program diskette that contains the FDISK.EXE and FORMAT.COM programs into your diskette drive. At the A: prompt, type FDISK and press ENTER.

3If you have two hard drives installed, the FDISK menu displays five options. Option five allows you to select the drive you want to partition. Make sure that your new drive is selected.

8.4Gbtye-limit:If your drive’s capacity is greater than 8.4 Gbytes, the capacity may exceed the limits of your system BIOS and operating system. DOS and Windows operating sys- tems and most system BIOS limit the drive partitions to 8.4 Gbytes per physical drive. Because of this limitation, a 32-bit file allocation table (FAT32) is needed to support drive capaci- ties greater than 8.4 Gbytes.

To achieve your drive’s full capacity, you need a Windows op- erating system that supports FAT32 and, device support for drives greater than 8.4 Gbytes, from one of the following:

Third-party device driver, such as Disk Manager (Disk Manager is provided on the DiscWizard diskette included with your drive), or

An intelligent ATA Host Adapter, or

A system BIOS upgrade. Refer to the back of this sheet for BIOS upgrade information.

4Select “Create DOS partition or logical DOS drive” by pressing 1. Then press ENTER.

5Select “Create primary DOS partition” by pressing1 again. Then press ENTER. Create your first drive partition. If you are creating a partition that will be used to boot your com- puter (drive C), make sure that the partition is marked active.

6Create an extended partition and additional logical drives, as necessary, until all the space on your new hard drive has been partitioned.

7When the partitioning is complete, reboot your computer.

Drive Formatting

At the A: prompt, type format x: /s, where x is the letter of your first new partition. Repeat this process for all the new partitions you have created.

!Caution. Make sure to use the correct drive letters so that you do not format a drive that

already contains data.

After you format your drive, it is ready to use.

YOURE DONE!

2/9/98, 9:31 AM

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Contents ONE Drive or TWO? Attaching Cables and Mounting the DriveWhat YOU will Need Configuring Your Computer Bios Settings Cylinders HeadsAddressing DRIVE-CAPACITY Limitations Drive PartitioningBooting from a Diskette Basic TroubleshootingAdvanced Troubleshooting Cable Select JumperOnline Services FAX ServicesRemoving the Dynamic Drive Overlay Screen remains blank when you power up the systemSystem does not recognize the drive Bit Disk Access with Windows Bios UpgradesDirect-Support Services System error message, HDD controller failure appearsMedalist PRO Hard Drive Installation Guide Cable Select Jumper

ST36530A, ST34520A, ST39140A specifications

Seagate has long been a cornerstone in the hard disk drive (HDD) sector, delivering storage solutions that cater to various computing needs. Among its notable offerings are the Seagate ST39140A, ST34520A, and ST36530A models. Each of these drives embodies Seagate's commitment to reliable performance, robust design, and cutting-edge technology.

The Seagate ST39140A, commonly recognized as the Barracuda 9, boasts a storage capacity of 9.1 GB, which was substantial in its time. Operating at a spindle speed of 7200 RPM, it provides rapid data access and improved overall system responsiveness. This drive utilizes an Ultra ATA/33 interface, facilitating a transfer rate of up to 33 MB/s. One of its standout features is the use of Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) technology, allowing for quieter operation and enhanced longevity. This drive also includes a built-in error correction mechanism, ensuring data integrity and reliability, which are critical for both personal and business applications.

Looking toward the ST34520A, this model is also part of the Barracuda family but offers greater storage capacity at 4.5 GB. It operates at the same 7200 RPM speed but implements an Ultra ATA/66 interface, effectively doubling the data transfer potential to up to 66 MB/s. In terms of design, it incorporates advanced technology that enhances shock resistance, an essential feature for drives installed in mobile computing environments. The ST34520A was well-regarded for its efficiency, making it suitable for both desktop systems and servers that required reliable, high-capacity storage.

Meanwhile, the ST36530A serves as an excellent bridge between performance and capacity with 6.5 GB of storage. This model also maintains the 7200 RPM speed and features the Ultra ATA/33 interface, ensuring it delivers a consistent and reliable performance. Its design is tailored to meet the demands of both stationary and portable computing environments, making it an excellent choice for various applications.

In summary, Seagate’s ST39140A, ST34520A, and ST36530A drives excelled in their respective roles within the hard disk drive market, each offering unique features and technologies. Their combination of speed, capacity, and reliability made them popular choices in the late 1990s and early 2000s, showcasing Seagate’s legacy of innovation in data storage technologies. Whether catering to general consumers or technical applications, these models remain remembered for their contributions to the evolution of hard drive technology.