Windows XP not recognizing all partitions... trying to format and reinstall?

Question

I am trying to format my C drive and reinstall windows xp pro, the problem is when I boot with XP setup, it only sees a C: partition (131xxx MB) and D: partition (131xxx MB). My first hard drive has C: D: and E: partitions in reality, and a second hard drive as one whole partition, each HD is 300 gigs. C: has XP pro and all apps, D: and E: have data that I DONT want to loose, and since XP isn't see everything clearly I am afraid to format C: now to reinstall windows. Can anyone help me out with this? Thanks!!!

PS: Second hard drive is one partition like I said, drive F:

It is XP Pro with SP2 and all updates. I think it should have the support for large drives, because I remember doing something like that, and in windows explorer it shows my whole F: hd as 279 Gigs

Answer 1

Try moving all of your files to the F: drive, then remove the F: drive, Then format C
I'm pretty sure that XP would only format C, but better safe than sorry.

Answer 2

If you have data you can not afford to lose, it should always be backed up, preferably to DVD+R disks.


How old is this computer? Is this XP SP1 or SP2?
The 131xxx MB is suspiciously close to a limitation prior to introduction of 48 bit LBA support.

per
http://www.largeharddrivesupport.windowsreinstall.com/winxp.htm

Windows XP support for 48 bit LBA support is as easy as installing Service Pack 1 or 2. This enables support for drives larger than 137 Gigabyte.

Hard Drive Size Limitations and Barriers
http://www.dewassoc.com/kbase/hard_drives/drive_size_barrier_limitations.htm
================
I recommend you back up everything to an to an external hard drive before you attempt any changes.

you can get a
250 GB external for $75
500 GB external for $120

Hard drives:
http://www.newegg.com/Store/Category.aspx?Category=15&name=Hard-Drives
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/Category/category_tlc.asp?CatId=8

If you want to partition a drive without formatting you will need a partition editor.

VistaBootPRO (free) Support Vista: Yes
http://www.vistabootpro.org/

Gnome Partition Editor (free) Support Vista: Yes
http://gparted.sourceforge.net/
Modify Your Partitions With GParted Without Losing Data
http://www.howtoforge.com/partitioning_with_gparted
http://gparted.free.fr/screenshots/VISTA/Howto_move_VISTA.html

Partition Logic (free) Support Vista: Yes: Some limitations
http://partitionlogic.org.uk/manual/vista.html

Norton Partition Magic (buy $69.95) (Support Vista: NO)
http://www.symantec.com/home_homeoffice/products/overview.jsp?pcid=sp&pvid=pm80

Partition Commander (buy $49.95) Support Vista: Yes
http://www.v-com.com/product/Partition_Commander_Home.html

Answer 3

To make partitions, it is not necessary to format and install windows again. Use the recovery cd of Paragon Disk Manager and boot with cd. you can resize your primary partition and create logical partitions on the extended area. If you want, i can send you the small cd image.

Answer 4

Get a quality hard drive partition software and do it right.

Answer 5

if it can't recog your all partition(if the slave hd chek the jumper), check in bios mode wheter all the partition can be recog or not) , since you store your data not in c then it save and you can re-install xp in c, b4 install unplug your slave hd, install and after install plug it again, it may solve your prob