Anyway we got a new hard drive for the old computer. The problem is that we have taken the computer back to factory settings to get something on the drive. Now the HP invent screen comes up. You can ctrl alt delete and that takes you to the desktop. It stops at 36% waiting for block and it just stays on the screen. Another problem is even though my brother got a new harddrive with a capcity of 500 gig it is only letting him have 48.8 BG od drive and there is over 400 unallocated space. Do you know how we get the space allocated without reformatting the drive? Thank you.
Question about a new harddrive
(26 posts) (6 voices)-
Anonymous
Unregisteredmay be need up date the BIOS is it XP if so need min of sp2 you can change the HP screen in the BIOS, more if may help did he only pick setup 50 GB for C: ? in Computer Management click, Disk Management is it ok how dose it say the Disk is ? online offline so on ?
Posted 13 years ago # -
Michelle
MemberDid that the only thing is I could not add to the C: drive. There is also something else wrong with my computer. I downloaded a game after we got the new hard drive and Windows would not load. So it is not the hard drive causing Windows not to load. Thank you for your help hotdoge.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Robert
StrayCatHi Michelle
I can't seem to figure out what OS you're running.
If it's XP,you won't be able to extend the active system partition using disk management.(it should work with Vista/7).
And..my first thought would be your computer doesn't fully support that 500 gig drive,unless it's partitioned.
So my advice would be to partition the unallocated free space on your drive, using the free Easeus Partition Master Home Edition and create one or two additional partitions next to the active system partition (f.i. you could create a 'Backup' and a 'Programs' partition,or whatever you like)
When done,your computer should boot like a gem.Posted 13 years ago # -
Anonymous
UnregisteredHarddisk size see
http://www.sec.co.kr SAMSUNG
http://www.wdc.com/ Weston Digital
http://www.seagate.com/support/kb/disk/capacity/index.html
XP sp1 ATA larger than 137 GB
is it 486 ! you not say if XP 7 ME or how old it is
Posted 13 years ago # -
Anonymous
UnregisteredQ:)Michelle you say When I download a game and play it and restart the computer Windows won't load. I thought it was the hard drive but it's got nothing to do with the drive. It is something else.
A:)well may be or not now if windows can not see all the drive you fit game it check size be for fit may be that way so way not do as Robert said try to create a second partition from the full unallocated space or go to new and pick C: size 50 GB or 100 GB and see how it goes.
you say up date the BIOS but did you check how big a disk it will see may need a addon to see all the disk and you not say OS ????? why ? hard to help if we don't know if it win 95,98,me,xp,vista,win 7 some info on the BIOS may help ? also SP# ? is it nlite ?
and is the disk OEM that is like HD OEM disk or is it full Windows disk ?Posted 13 years ago # -
watcher13
MemberMichelle, what was said about the bios may be true. How old is this machine, anyway? If very old, it's bios chip may simply not correctly recognize bigger drives. Your computers bios chip must understand your hard drive's architecture (layout) and how to read it, usually using a method called Logical Block Addressing (LBA). For example, way back in the olden days, LBA started out as 22 bit (sort of like sending data over 22 wires). They had to keep tinkering with this, because the smaller LBA's only recognized drives up to a certain size. At one time it was only around 8 Gigs. And those were considered LARGE! The current standard is 48 bit LBA. However, it's a little surprising if yours is not 48 bit, since it was introduced in 2003. For your machine not to support that, it would probably be at least 5 years old.
In any case, it's easy enough to answer whether it's the bios or not. If, when you went into your bios the number was not even close, then that's the problem and Windows won't be able to use all of it, even if Windows shows a larger number. It also may tell you what kind of LBA you have, say, 32 bit, for example.
Your options:
Check your computer manufacturer, motherboard, bios, or new drive manufacturer's websites. One of them might have a bios upgrade that will up it's ability to read bigger drives.
If not, you can take that suggestion about partitioning. Basically, you'd be breaking up your drive into pseudo little drives, and Windows can work with that as if you had a bunch of little drives installed. Though, I'm not sure if you can make them any bigger than the 48.8 that your version Windows is on now. In any case, you can use each of these partitions to store anything you want. Many people do that on purpose, saying it speeds the computer up, because it keeps your OS stored in a small portion of the disk. Kinda like speeding up finding things because everything you need is in one small drawer. And some people move their virtual memory to another partition (although, it's agreed that moving it to a 2nd hard drive is even better) because it speeds up accessing the VM.
http://www.online-tech-tips.com/computer-tips/simple-ways-to-increase-your-computers-performace-configuring-the-paging-filePosted 13 years ago # -
watcher13
MemberWell, yeah, we do understand you're having boot problems. Some of us just started by trying to clear up some of the confusion about the other problem, what you were saying about that hard disk not showing the right size, per your request:
"Do you know how we get the space allocated without reformatting the drive?"
Part of what I was driving at above is that the answer may be that you just can't - the drive may just be too new for your old computer to use all it's space properly, especially if it's a lot bigger than the original one.
Part of the problem with trying to help you with your boot up problems is that I'm not sure - and, as dense as I am, I may not be the only one - what exactly is going on from your description.
Generally, the first place to start with if you can't boot up at all (one of the things I'm not clear about) is to use the built-in troubleshooting options for boot problems. You do this by hitting F8 as soon as you complete the setup routine. When you said you restored your disk to factory settings I thought you might have used this. But, just in case (and their other good options brought up by F8), you can tell when to do this the moment when the HP screen goes off, or when you hear an audible beep. If you hit F8 right then you can send Windows into it's troubleshooting mode instead of trying to load your desktop. You can hit it a few times - once doesn't always register and you can't hurt anything by hitting it multiple times. This should give you a black screen with multiple options. The first you should try is "Last Known Good Configuration". This will undo changes made by the game - or other damage - and revert the computer to it's settings the last time it booted up properly.
That should do it, but if it doesn't, you can try F8 again and select "Safe Mode with Network Support". If you've never used it, Safe Mode loads a very stripped down version of Windows that will often load when full Windows won't. The advantages: it gets you back into Windows so you can uninstall problem software, run Windows repair utilities, and - if you select the network support option - you may even be able to surf so you can get help with your problem or download software that might help you repair it.
Also, with an HP computer you sometimes have a "Recovery Console" option under F8 that has other repair utilities, though that's the one I thought you were referring to when you said you restored to factory settings, because that's one of it's options. I just fried the hardware in an HP that I had for 3 years - :-o - so I'm familiar with that console.
I hope that helps, but you may need to find a local guru, because, obviously, there's occassionally communication problems when someone can't see what you see but is trying to diagnose from miles away. In any case, good luck. Let's us know if you make any progress.
Postscript:
I just noticed your other thread on this from a little while ago. A bad sector can cause these problems, though that shouldn't be a problem with a new drive. If the machines only 2 and a half years old, it should be able to use the whole disk. If your brother moved Windows from the old disk to the new, it probably didn't partition the new disk properly, so it didn't use all the space. You may have to use partition software, restore factory settings, or reformat to get it all back. Part of ALL your problems may be what I said before. If you restored factory settings using that old harddrive, and the original copy of Windows on the repair section of that old disk was damaged, then you're just transferring problems from one hard disk to another. That may be why it didn't transfer properly. Still, your boot problem should be repairable. Restoring to factory settings is something I consider drastic, though many don't agree. A simple fix available for your problems, well..., maybe not. Many computer problems have simple fixes, but not all.Posted 13 years ago # -
Anonymous
UnregisteredThe problem is that we have taken the computer back to factory settings to get something on the drive. Now the HP invent screen comes up.
You can not do that I try with acer disk it said not a acer best to check with HP you may need to buy a disk.
or a new Hardrive from HPPosted 13 years ago # -
goodgotd
MemberIn my experience most (YMMV) computers that come up with a brand screen without reference to boot options like Bios/Setup that pic can be cleared with the <tab> key, then you can see when it goes from POST testing and starts booting. Sometimes that can give you a clue what's wrong right there.
Robert, Disk Management will only extend or add partitions if the space is blank. There are apps that can change partitions with data on the fly, but not the one in XP.
hotdoge3: err.... a new HDD from HP would have (AFAIK) no advantage over a HDD from anywhere else that has the right interface, etc. They don't preload recovery partition data, just charge the ever-living )(&)(*) out of you compared to, say, newegg. Dell does the same thing.
Getting a restore CD is a better option, though personally I've danced around needing one by stubbornly installing a clean OS, then adding apps. (I don't do Works, Outlook, Wordperfect, etc. so I get what I need, no BSware.) this is significantly more work, but I like it better. But if it's too old, they won't *have* any left. Grr.
and I'd like an age estimate for this computer, as it's obviously over 3 years old.
This shouldn't be a problem for 'seeing' the HDD, really- my 1999 gateway Solo 2550 will take an 80 gig drive no problem, and the 2005 dell- somewhere on the sunny side of 250 gigs. Both laptops. My '96 Athlon XP has no problems with half-gig drives.
the other factor is, if it's got that much messing up and is old enough to not have some of the updated features- it may be cheaper in the long run (and possibly the short run) to get a new low-to-moderate spec computer that you can run things like your old monitor, speakers, etc. with- as time goes by the components to keep the old one running are going to get spendy. er.
That's one reason when I had to add a drive to the Athlon I added a PCI SATA card and a SATA II drive- that way at least the hard drive will be usable for longer. Not much else would be worth putting in a new computer!
And the drive was cheaper than the IDE version. for 20 bucks or so you can get an adapter kit to set up a 3.5 IDE, 2.5" IDE, or SATA hard drive so you can plug it in a USB port and copy your personal data off to a new machine.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Robert
StrayCatMichelle,
Things you (or your brother) could try:
1)Try 'startup repair' booting with a Vista dvd (if you're on Vista)
(still don't know if you're on XP or Vista..)
Btw Did your brother clone the factory (reset) partition too?2)If it's a laptop computer try booting with the battery removed.
(sounds odd I know)3)another issue with HP could be a scrambled card reader's firmware- if you have a card reader.LOL.
(but you need to disconnect/reboot/reconnect the card reader cable at the card reader's end to solve the problem)4)Do a clean install or use the factory reset partition to restore
Posted 13 years ago # -
Robert
StrayCat...
5)Try the Fix MBR thing.
How to Fix Vista MBR | Repair Broken Vista MBRPosted 13 years ago # -
watcher13
MemberMichelle, much of this is miscommunication. Most of the people don't know what you're referring to because I've just discovered that your problem is HP/Compaq specific, and no one who hasn't done "Restore to Factory Settings" on an HP has experienced it. I never had to with my HP. Apparently, I now understand what your saying is not that you have a boot problem on the new drive, but that your attempt to restore to factory settings isn't working/completing. I googled "waiting for block" and found other examples, as you can see, one person was stuck at 97%, another at 98% when they tried a factory reset.
As I said before, taking the computer back to factory settings in an HP of that vintage probably means that the original hard drive has an OEM partition with the original OS files rather than an original CD/DVD. In my case, I had a D partition of about 9 gigs with the original files on it. No original CD/DVD's were provided, but it gave you the option to create repair CD/DVDs. (In my case I created 2 DVDs from my Vista system.) These do not contain the original OS files, merely the repair utilities that, among other things, allow you to use the original files on the OEM partition to repair or reinstall. As near as I can figure, for all practical purposes, "Restore to Factory Settings" as accessed through the HP recovery console is essentially a re-install of your boot partition on the C partition/drive. It warns you that your going to lose everything. Apparently, from one of those posts above, you can use "Restore Factory Settings" to transfer the OS to a replacement drive, but it's not working correctly for Michelle. One of the other posts I saw could see the desktop, too, but couldn't get rid of the "waiting for block" notice, either.
Again, I think it's likely that this goes back to something I said before. If I'm right, and you're Restoring to Factory Settings from your old drive to the new one, or, if I'm wrong and you're doing it from your repair disks then it could be that damage is going to keep you from getting the new drive up. (Incidentally, that would mean the repair disks have the whole Vista OS on them. I couldn't double check my old discs now, because the emergency Win2K machine I'm on doesn't seem to be able to read them, though it's the same file system??? Or maybe they're just damaged. :) ) You said that the old drive had at least one bad sector and I'm implying it was giving you trouble. If your restoring from that drive, well it's like trying to make a good music CD copy from a scratched CD. It's not likely to work right. Same thing if your repair disk's are damaged.
I'm not sure we can help you, unless someone here has gone through this exact thing with and HP/Compaq. As you can also see, both of these posts were on an HP forum, and and nobody could answer them. You're having a very HP specific problem and you might have to see if they'll help you, though I imagine you wouldn't want to pay for that.
Have you tried "Restore to Factory Settings" on the old disc? You might get lucky, then you could use cloning/ghosting software to transfer the image to the new disc. Better yet, if you haven't tried some of those other repair options I mentioned above, I'd put that old drive in and try "Last Known Good Configuration" and "Safe Mode". All you have to do is get the old disc to boot once and you can transfer/clone/ghost it to a new drive. And, if you didn't try "Restore" on the old disc, you'd have ALL of your old files/software . I generally consider reinstalling/restoring to be a bit drastic, but many don't agree. However, to those that reinstall every time they have a problem, Michelle's unfortunate horror story might give you pause.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Michelle
MemberWeird thing is this the computer was doing it this morning and I went to bed and tonight I came back online and the computer loaded, but this morning it wouldn't. My brother said to let it sit and then come on it tonight and it will work. My brother is getting me a new one (it's just a matter of when he gets the money together). In other news are car broke down and it will be like at least $7000 to repair. The dude at the shop said it isn't worth it to fix. The engine and the transmission are done.
Posted 13 years ago # -
Robert
StrayCatMaybe this won't help you.. and your brother already did all that, but still... here goes:
:)1.Please check all connection cables. Make sure that the jumper settings of your HD are set to master(or maybe single drive). (edited)
Check the fastening of the CPU fan.
Change/Reinsert Ram modules.Or even taking the graphics card out/and reinserting it might help.
2.If not, try and find the culprit by elimination(disconnecting the DVD drive for instance,second hard drive if present,unplugging usb devices... and rebooting)
It solved many a problem over here.
Posted 13 years ago # -
goodgotd
Membersorry for taking so long to check back in-
Michelle, if the system's that new you probably do have SATA drives, and I have had really bad luck diagnosing boot problems on them. Like, I have a 500 gig SATA II drive in this machine- set to IDE because I couldn't get it booted as SATA. And I have another drive that was supposed to be a mirror that's just setting gathering dust so far..
And Vista I have no wish to learn more about. Don't have it, know anyone using it, kinda short on exposure.
I hate intermittent problems. as far as your car... ow. it only cost 5 grand to completely rebuild a (treasured) 1982 Honda Accord. yikes.
Posted 13 years ago # -
watcher13
MemberReally sorry to hear about the car, Michelle. As to the computer, do you mean that the "waiting for block" message has gone away and, more importantly, you were able to get the computer to work for awhile last night? That would be a positive, not just for you, but for us trying to give you solutions.
Sometimes I try to be so precise in order to not be misunderstood I end up being misunderstood, so let my try and clarify: the "waiting for block" problem you described was not a problem booting up, it was caused by the "Restore to Factory Settings" routine failing to finish. For all the good folks here, I mean it was a hung reinstall (or maybe a hanging reinstall if it happened more than once). I'm 99% sure that HP's "Restore to Factory Settings" is a reinstall routine. That's, essentially, what you end up with - a "newly installed" copy of Windows with HP's drivers and some repair utilities included. So it's a hanging reinstall. But, if that "waiting for block" message has gone away, then we're past that and back to the computer not booting consistently. Once you did the factory restore, any damage from that game you downloaded was wiped away.
If that's where we are, booting one night and not the next morning, then Robert's last post is probably the best advice. It's unreliable hardware instead of damaged software. It does confirm your suspicions that the computer's unreliable, but, as Robert's trying to point out, it may be fixable. It may be something very simple, like a loose cable. You and brother have got to decide whether it's worth trying to track it down while he's saving up the money. Especially with this new car (or having to get a new car) expense. Ouch! Sorry 'bout that!
Posted 13 years ago # -
Anonymous
Unregisteredand now you say it XP was that hard to do, some info on OME
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recovery_disc ' see Criticism '
http://www.computing.net/answers/windows-7/retail-key-and-oem-disk-for-second-install/326.html
http://www.computing.net/answers/windows-xp/oem-disc/175028.html
Posted 13 years ago #
Reply
You must log in to post.