[gdub]

I have looked over the RTVPatch procedure for Win9x, which says the procedure can be used on any PC, regardless of the OS installed.


I have some questions for the experts though:


1) This Linux boot method the ONLY way to do it on a non-WinXP or 2K PC, correct? I don't see where there is any GUI app for Win98SE.


2) Is there a HD size limitation on an older Win98 machine; i.e., will I be able to just attach my old 40gb RTV HD and new 200gb HD to my secondary IDE and boot up with the linux boot disk and all will be recognized at correct capacity by RTVPatch?

 

[wmelnick]

If you are booting into Linux then Win98 will not matter as it will not be running. Linux does not use the BIOS past loading the initial kernel. From there everything is handled by Linux's own drivers so the 200GB drive should not make a difference since from a hardware perspective nothing has changed to allow the bigger drives to work, it is only a change in the may the software talks to the hard drive.


W

 

[dstoffa]

Quote:

Originally posted by gdub I have looked over the RTVPatch procedure for Win9x, which says the procedure can be used on any PC, regardless of the OS installed. I have some questions for the experts though: 1) This Linux boot method the ONLY way to do it on a non-WinXP or 2K PC, correct? I don't see where there is any GUI app for Win98SE. 2) Is there a HD size limitation on an older Win98 machine; i.e., will I be able to just attach my old 40gb RTV HD and new 200gb HD to my secondary IDE and boot up with the linux boot disk and all will be recognized at correct capacity by RTVPatch?

I am not 100 percent sure on this, BUT, the limitation may rest with the BIOS you have installed on your PC. Granted, if you are running Win98SE, you may be using old hardware, who's BIOS MAY NOT recognize the larger hard drives. When you run RTVPatch, if the hard drive sizes displayed DO NOT MATCH what you have installed, then DON'T perform the upgrade with that machine until you have resolved the hard drive size (aka BIOS) issues.

 

[hilbert1862]

I too have an older machine with Win98SE. What's the easiest way to find the largest drive size that the BIOS can handle? I know, it would depends on the BIOS, but any suggestions, other than cranking in various sizes sequentially?


Bios is:

ATC-6220 VER:1.1 04 WB (09/23/98)

 

[dstoffa]

Quote:

Originally posted by hilbert1862 I too have an older machine with Win98SE. What's the easiest way to find the largest drive size that the BIOS can handle? I know, it would depends on the BIOS, but any suggestions, other than cranking in various sizes sequentially? Bios is: ATC-6220 VER:1.1 04 WB (09/23/98)

I am guessing 137 GB? I don't think your BIOS is that old that it would hit the 8.4 GB ceiling. But you never know....


Here is a website which describes the BIOS / Hard Drive Limitations:
http://storagereview.com/guide2000/r...bios/size.html

 

[hilbert1862]

I know that this BIOS will handle a 60 GB drive, because it is installed.


And thanks for that link!

 

[antibody128]

I actually just upgraded my Replay this week because the original HD failed on me. I have 2 machines at home running win98 and the linux boot disk method is very painless, but as usual I ran into the usual unpredictable problems.


First I wanted to use my old machine so I didn't have to play with my main machine (for fear of something unpredictable messing it up). Well, I found that my old machine apparently is old enough to have that 8.4 GB ceiling so it would not recognize the new 120 GB drive.


So I open my main machine, plug in my 120GB drive, turn it on and the machine starts flickering on and off. It seems my crappy old case with a 250W power supply was maxed out and the new drive put it over the top. Of course, this seemed to be an irreversible problem as the system continued to flicker even after I removed the new drive.


So I had to go out and get a new case/PS (350W) and start over again. Now it was a very easy process and the good news at the end of my story is now my Replay is functional again with 120hrs record time and my computer is running better than ever (who knew a PS was such a critical part of the system).


Good luck and remember, the linux boot disk method won't bite, but if you have my kind of luck, something else will.

 

[sfhub]

If you have 8.4GB limitation then that is a very old machine. My 9yr old

PC has no problem with 200GB maxtors using motherboard controller.


I just need to use the software 48-bit LBA support through the IDE drivers

for win2k or winxp.

http://archive2.avsforum.com/avs-vb/...95&post2208495

 

[lizard_boy]

Quote:

Originally posted by gdub I have looked over the RTVPatch procedure for Win9x, which says the procedure can be used on any PC, regardless of the OS installed. I have some questions for the experts though: 1) This Linux boot method the ONLY way to do it on a non-WinXP or 2K PC, correct? I don't see where there is any GUI app for Win98SE.

I guess you're trying to ask "why isn't there a GUI app for Win98?" The answer is, because no one has written one. I'm sure there's a good reason why FlipFlop and Toots made the RTVPatch only work on 2K/XP - feel free to write one for Win98 in your spare time.

 

[icecow]

toots is a programmer?!