Correcting faulty disc space on a 3 TB SATA HDD
I initialized a new WD30EZRX SATA HDD using a StarTech USB-SATA enclosure. Overlooking the fact that the 3 TB drive appeared to Windows as 746 GB, I've just spent days transferring data to the drive, only to run out of disc space just now. Moving the drive to an internal SATA header in my desktop does not change the erroneous 746 GB specification. I'd like to avoid needing to perform an operation which would necessitate starting over with transferring data to the new drive. Hoping for a suggestion. If the solution involves updating the driver for Intel Rapid Storage Technology, I'd appreciate some guidance in finding the driver. The motherboard is Asus P8H67-M_PRO.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
Sorry I neglected to say it is Windows 7 SP1 32bit.
to use more than 2TB you have to initialize the drive as GPT,
I personally have a Startech USB enclosure that will not support more than 2 TB
I personally have a Startech USB enclosure that will not support more than 2 TB
You said, "Overlooking the fact that the 3 TB drive appeared to Windows as 746 GB" which means what Dr. Klahn + David Johnson stated above.
Your Startech device only supports up to 2TB drives.
Since you can now purchase USB 3.1 docks for $20-$30 which support up to 14TB, likely your starting solution will be to visit Amazon + purchase whatever dock seems best to you.
Your Startech device only supports up to 2TB drives.
Since you can now purchase USB 3.1 docks for $20-$30 which support up to 14TB, likely your starting solution will be to visit Amazon + purchase whatever dock seems best to you.
ASKER
Thank you all. The drive was initialized GPT. An identical drive, which was initialized in my desktop, is read by Windows as ~ 3TB when it is mounted in the StarTech enclosure. The drive which is seen as 746 GB when mounted in the StarTech is still seen that way when it is attached to a SATA port in my desktop. Given these observations, I don't think a limitation in the StarTech device is the issue. Naturally, I'd prefer not to reformat the drive, since spent days loading it with data. If there is no other way, I'll format it.
ASKER
I did end up formatting the drive, and it now appears as 3 TB in Windows. Thanks to everyone who commented.
Glad you got this working!
There's no Microsoft approved way to get around this in XP. There is a third party "booster" module (for purchase) that can be loaded that supposedly allows drives up to 3 TB, but I've never used it or run into anyone who uses it.
If the drive is being used under Vista or later the 2 TB limitation should not exist no matter which operating system is in use as this drive supports 512e emulation. However, for best performance "When using Advanced Format drives with legacy operating systems, it is important to realign the disk drive using software provided by the hard disk manufacturer." (Wikipedia)
In that case, as Mal says, reformat the drive and see if the capacity is corrected.
The WD30EZRX is not Advanced Format 4Kn so that should not be an issue.