Installation
3.7TECHNIQUES IN DRIVE CONFIGURATION
3.7.1The 8.4-Gigabytes Barrier
Newer BIOS’s allow users to configure disk drives to go beyond the 528MB barrier by using several BIOS translation schemes. However, while using these translations the BIOS using Int 13 functions are limited to 24 bits of addressing which results in another barrier at the 8.4GB capacity.
To overcome this barrier a new set of Int 13 extensions are being implemented by most BIOS manufacturers. The new Int 13 extension allows for four words of addressing space (64 bits) resulting in 9.4 Terrabytes of accessible space.
Whenever possible the DiamondMax 17
–Use a third party software that supplements the BIOS and adds Int 13 extension support.
–Obtain a BIOS upgrade from the system board manufacturer. Many system board manufacturers allow their BIOS to be upgraded in the field using special download utilities. Information on BIOS upgrades can be obtained on the System Board Customer Service respective web sites on the Internet.
–Insert the Cylinder Limitation Jumper (CLJ) on the drive (see Section 3.3.1.4).
3.7.2Operating System Limitations
Most popular operating systems available today have additional limitations which affect the use of large capacity drives. However, these limitations can not be corrected on the BIOS and it is up to the operating system manufacturers to release improved versions to address these problems.
DOS and Windows 95 use a File Allocation Table (FAT) size of 16 bits which will only support partitions up to 2.1 GB. Windows 95 OSR2, Windows 98, and Windows ME use a FAT size of 32 bits, allowing partitions of up to 2.2 terrabytes. Windows NT, 2000, and XP Use NTFS, which allows partition sizes up to 16 terrabytes.
