FDisk and Partition

[asw7576]

Hi guys...

I have small problem with Fdisk and partitions ( C:\ and D:\ ). My hard disk is Maxtor Diamond Max Plus 740DX 40 GB ATA133 7200rpm. My mobo is Intel SE440BX. I have check Intel website that the mobo and its phoenix bios is capable to handle up to 137GB hard disk.

I don't have floppy drive A:\. ( I have disable it through BIOS options ). So I have to reboot from CD-ROM using bootable Windows ME CD.

All IDE connections Primary / Secondary / Master / Slave; they are all checked and confirm "good" at BIOS. ie. the Maxtor is reported 40GB.

My problem is Fdisk. After I reboot with CD-ROM , I see two unusual problems:
1. I cannot Fdisk. ( I see on the screen something like this @@@@@@@@....... like a card with smiling face in it).
2. No RAM DRIVE ( normally appear at E:\ ). The computer prompts at A:\ . When I press Dir /w, it lists all programs that usually appear on Windows Start up Disk. This A:\ prompt should not be there since I have disable it through BIOS.

Gee.... Anyone could help me? I have done extensive research to cure the remedy.

Regards,

asw7576
:D

[Arkaine23]

I couldn't fdisk from a bootable cd either. You're putting in the windows cd after the ramdrive loads up right?

The reason ramdrive's coming up as A: is because there is no A: and it usually takes the first available letter designation, with the exception of B: for some reason.

My advice is to use the floppy, fdisk away, and disable it when you're done. That or buy partitionmagic and partition on the fly from windows without the need to format.

137Gb and only 2 partitions!

The primary is smaller than 8Gb I hope. Saves space if you're Fat32 and improves virtual memory performance if you happen to be low enough on system memory that you actually use virtual memory.

[nodoze]

You said that when you did a "dir /w" the computer listed all of the files that are normally on a startup disk.

It sounds like your computer may have assigned your CD-Drive the drive letter A. When you executed the dir command, did the computer spin-up your CD?

[Arkaine23]

Welcome to the forums BTW!

[moonunit]

RE : a:\ contains startup disk stuff.

For reasons unknown, when booting from a windows CD it maps the command stuff onto a: as well as the normal CD letter (e: or whatever). I suppose its a bit like setting path=######, for the poor stupefied computer that cannot boot from letters above c....

[asw7576]

You know what.... I've got it. The answer is : You have to see the MAGIC words: "Start windows with CD-ROM support". As results, Fdisk program can be extracted from the Windows CD.

I understand now that, when you reboot from CD-ROM (through mobo's BIOS options) you should notice that Windows ME CD does NOT loads with options : "Start windows with CD-ROM support". This options only comes when you have Windows Start Up Disk. In my case, I don't have a drive A:\.

On the other hand, Windows 98 CD is loading with the above options: "Start windows with CD-ROM supports". As results, when you type Fdisk at what ever prompts (doesn't matter A:\ , C:\ , E:\ ) the windows 98 CD can extract the program from its CD's folders. And voila!!! I can see the Fdisk' words : "do you want to use maximum....... blah..blah..? "

My suggestions: When you don't have drive A or floppy, and you must reboot from CD-ROM, remember to have a Windows 98 CD. Or buy floppy drive, and insert Start Up Disk.

Gee.... 3 nights I've been tweaking the machine for nothing.:D