Date: Fri, 7 Dec 2001 22:00:34 -0800 (PST)
From: David Chien <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: New info re: large HDs w/Win9x or DOS & disk manager programs
1) L110 with 20GB Hitachi (2MB cache, B series model listed on my site).
2) W/O disk manager programs, all programs such as fdisk, format,
partition magic, etc. work as they would work with a 8.4GB HD. You only see up
to 8.4GB, and that's it.
3) You can create 16 & 32 bit partitions as you wish, but only see 8.4GB w/o a
disk manager program under DOS & Win9x/ME.
4) If you then install a disk manger program such as EZ-DRIVE (recommended for
non-IBM HDs; cheapest out there and works well), the current partitions will
remain intact, and you will be able to see everything above 8.4GB to the end of
the HD.
5) When you do this, the max cylinders seen will increase from the usual
1023/1024 (however the program you use counts it) to whatever is required to
map the entire HD.
For the case of the Hitachi 20GB, it goes to 2431/2432 cylinders, 255
heads, 63 sectors.
For me, the paritions created before installing the DM still work and run
fine.
6) If you use a program like WIPEFREE for DOS/Win32 to clear out the empty file
space of a newly created partition that crosses the 8.4GB boundary, then use a
disk sector editor like WinHEX to examine the raw values, you will be able to
determine exactly where the hardware hibernate-to-disk data is stored.
7) !! No matter what, the ~8.4GB boundary area (and few MB around it) will be
overwritten by the hibernation data, even with a disk manager installed. !!
8) In my case, the sectors from 1018 cylinder to 1025 cylinder were overwritten
by the hibernation data. You can easily find it by searching the limited area
just before the 1023/1024 cylinder area to just after for a unique string you
know is in the Libretto's memory before hibernation occurs. In my case, simply
opening up Notepad and typing "Love is Real", then searching for it with the
disk sector editor found the hiberation data area quickly. You'll want to then
find the earliest and latest sectors that have been written with hibernation
data, then leave a few more secotrs on both sides just to be absolutely sure
your own data won't be overwritten in the future.
9) What this means is that all Librettos as old or older than the L110 willl
require added software disk mangers if not using Win2K/XP/Linux, and will
require you to create at least two partitions on the HD to use all available
space on HDs >8.4GB.
All important bootable data and partitions should reside below the 8.4GB
boundary for safety. Even if the disk manager program is removed (EZ_Drive can
be removed and reinstalled many times at will and it will be fine) or damaged,
booting to just plain DOS will at least let you see the data <8.4GB without the
added LBA drive mapping add-on.
10) The -Western Digital EZ-Drive 9.09W disk setup that installs the 9.06
version of EZ-BIOS- which can easily be downloaded for free of the web is my
current recommendation and thumbs up choice for a disk manager for users of
Librettos that have a non-IBM HD installed. users of IBM HDs can use the IBM
Disk Manger provided for free at www.storage.ibm.com. (Fujitsu drive users
probably have something like this on their site; for sure neither Toshiba or
Hitachi provides such).
It has been noted that this version is not locked to one brand of HD, and
will/should work with any brand available. Also, except for the support of ATA
ultra/66 IDE HD controller add-in cards, which are rarely used in desktop PCs
and can't be installed in any Libretto, 9.06 EZ-BIOS has all the latest
required features of the latest 9.09 EZ_BIOS version available, for free.
One can also buy the latest EZ_Drive for $20 if so desired.
11) Using the EZ-DRive 9.09W WD disk, I can install and remove the EZ-BIOS w/o
any problems at all. The <8.4GB booting partitoins boot just as they normally
would either way, and thus far, nothing wrong has occured with it (as I
remember having used it many years ago on a desktop PC to the same good
results).
Besides EZ_DRIVE, there's the $60 Ontrack Disk Manger which does the same
sort of thing, but there's no point since it's 3x more expensive than the
latest verison of EZ-Drive, or heck vs. the free Western Digital Version.
12) Don't know if it's just the IDE controller, HD, or unique HD interface, but
the latest 1.27S version of Maxtor's MaxBlast Plus, a special OEM version of
EZ_DRIVE installing 13.47 version of EZ_BIOS, works as well. Since I can't
find any notes re: what's different with the 13.47 ver., vs. the standard 9.09
EZ_BIOS latest version, I'd recommend against this version and use the WD 9.09W
EZ-Drive installing 9.06 EZ-BIOS instead.
However, you can crtainly give it a whirl and let us know what happens in
the long run.
13) I'll update the FAQ soon re: this.
d =)
PS. Nothing like this free SprintPCS Wireless Cellular Network Card they sent
for free for use for two months (www.fatwallet.com/forums/ offer posted months
ago; now over)! Typing this from my dinner table with no wires connected to
the Libretto at all, and the only thing worrying me is the 16% battery life
left. 19.2KB connection rate, but very useable for the basic email and quick
web checks. Very nice in a car on trips out to the local lunch spots as well
(when a friend's driving, of course!), as I can easily stay busy checking email
and so forth during the 5-15 minutes of travel. Far too addictive as I'll
start up the Libretto just about everywhere - lunch line, down the hall, bed,
friend's place, waiting whereever - just to get to the net. Oh, well - net
junky =]
I'll miss it when the free 2 months is over, but I'll wait until next year
when Sprint rolls out their 128kb/s service to signup again.
Now that I've finally got most of the spare parts and accessories and HD
issues settled, GPS time! Eyeballing the TOPO 3.0 by Delorme as well as having
to find a HW GPS unit. Already have MS Mappoint 2002, Streets & Trips 2000,
and that Travelroute program. What's good for all these software in LA?
Howabout something that'll not only work well in Los Angeles, but maybe also
in Europe and worldwide when I go traveling? something with worldwide maps? or
better to pickup local map SW when I get there?
=====
adorable toshiba libretto
The latest news and information for the Toshiba Libretto owner.
http://www.silverace.com/libretto/
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