Only 51 GB recognized

[Kent10]

Hi:

I just bought a new 100GB hard drive for my laptop but after installing it and using an image from the previous 60GB hard drive, only 51 GB is being recognized. The laptop is a couple years old so I thought maybe the BIOS won't recognize a larger drive. I do have the latest BIOS. Or do you think it could be a problem with using an image from a smaller drive. Is there any way to retrieve the lost space? Thanks, Kent

[OCNoob]

Originally Posted by Kent10

Or do you think it could be a problem with using an image from a smaller drive. Is there any way to retrieve the lost space? Thanks, Kent

This is definitely the problem. Because your laptop recognized the 60GB HDD, it should recognize any drive 128GB and smaller.

How can you get back the lost space? Most partition software allows you to create a new partition with the unused space. Gparted is one, and it's free. It'll also allow you to resize the partition so that your C drive can be adjusted to your needs.

Oh yeah, make sure you backup your data in case anything goes awry. But I'm sure you already do that regularly. ;)

[screwballl]

do you think it could be a problem with using an image from a smaller drive.

thats your issue there

so that leaves 2 options:

1) go into disk management and format the remaining 45GB and use it as a storage portion (start -> Run... -> type: compmgmt.msc -> under storage, click on Disk Management and you willl see 2 blocks on the 100GB drive, right click the block on the right and choose format.)

OR

2) get a program called GPARTED and extend the size of your drive to full size...


I suggest #1 for the least problems plus if you ever need to reinstall windows, you can keep your saved documents on the other portion.

[OCNoob]

Originally Posted by screwballl

1) go into disk management and format the remaining 45GB and use it as a storage portion

D-oh! I forgot this method.

[screwballl]

I tend to format my drives in half anyways on a new build, one for OS, one for storage

[Kent10]

Thanks so much for your ideas, guys. What I did that solved it was format the whole drive by installing windows and then I restored my image. Now it recognizes the full amount.

[screwballl]

thats idea #3... good job!