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Old PC, newer HDDs...

M

MrPatate

Gawd
Joined
Jan 4, 2007
Messages
1,021
Hi,

I've got a noob question for you guys. Couldn't find the right answer on Google and my memory is fuzy when it comes to 10 years old hardware...

I plan on using an old computer for a backup server. But I'm not sure my 2 and 3TB WD HDD will work in it.

I remember when WD launch the 3TB they also supplied a PCIe sata controller with it, and if I remember correctly it was because they were too big for older hardware.

The computer is an old HP P4 3ghz, 512RAM with an Asus mobo PTG1-LA

  • Northbridge Intel i915G
  • Southbridge Intel ICH6
I can't for the life of me remember what exactly could limit HDD size. :(
 
You might try intel's site to see if they have updated ICH6 drivers. In any case, I'd consider a USB enclosure. I'd also consider selling this hardware and getting some newer hardware.
 
It's the BIOS and the operating system. I would expect the 2TB to work properly, and the 3TB not.

For Windows, it's Vista/Server 2008 for volumes 2.2TB~ or larger. For Linux, kernel 2.6.35 or newer. You'd have to split the disk into multiple volumes.

A newer Atom/E-350/etc system would be more useful for this than an old P4 system.
 
450 said:
You might try intel's site to see if they have updated ICH6 drivers. In any case, I'd consider a USB enclosure. I'd also consider selling this hardware and getting some newer hardware.
Click to expand...

Using newer hardware was the plan, but budget doesn't allow it sadly.
USB isn't really an option since its USB2.0 is too slow for 10TB of backup.

I've already looked up Intel's site for ICH6 but cannot find the answer about max HDD size, that's why I'm here.
 
MrMike said:
It's the BIOS and the operating system. I would expect the 2TB to work properly, and the 3TB not.

For Windows, it's Vista/Server 2008 for volumes 2.2TB~ or larger. For Linux, kernel 2.6.35 or newer. You'd have to split the disk into multiple volumes.

A newer Atom/E-350/etc system would be more useful for this than an old P4 system.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info!

I know newer hardware would be better, but my budget does allow it, My main rig is stuck at a C2D 2.66 and a 8600GTS from 6years ago... When I upgrade it, It will become my backup server.

I'm glad to know 2TB will work, I'll keep all 3TB in my main rig and transfer all 2TB in the backup. My main rig was full with 12HDDs that's why I need to ship some drives to a backup server...
 
There are multiple factors. Older controllers usually don't support drives larger than 2TB. Then you have to deal with having an OS that supports GPT drives for larger than 2TB volumes. You will have to just make a bunch of 2TB volumes on an MBR disk, even if you raid them.
 
MrPatate said:
Thanks for the info!

I know newer hardware would be better, but my budget does allow it, My main rig is stuck at a C2D 2.66 and a 8600GTS from 6years ago... When I upgrade it, It will become my backup server.

I'm glad to know 2TB will work, I'll keep all 3TB in my main rig and transfer all 2TB in the backup. My main rig was full with 12HDDs that's why I need to ship some drives to a backup server...
Click to expand...

It's tough to know for sure either way with a pre-made box unless you can find a spec sheet or a list of BIOS updates.
 
bigdogchris said:
On stuff that old, you'll be limited to 2TB due to the controller, even if your OS supported GPT. You'll have to have several volumes if you raid them or just use each drive separately.
Click to expand...
It will be on seperate drives, since it's a backup. Raid isn't a safe reliable backup solution IMO.
 
I have older machines that worked fine with 2TB drives: Dell Optiplex GX270 (socket 478 Northbridge, Intel i865G chipset) and Asrock K7VT4A Pro (socket A, faulty design VIA VT8237 SATA ports).

For drives bigger than 2TB, you either need either:

1. a motherboard with a UEFI BIOS plus an operating system that supports >2TB drives,

2. a driver program like Disk Manager. Seagate provides the latter with Disk Wizard, and it allows bigger drives to boot even with 32-bit Windows, including XP. I don't know the situation with WD, but they once said they would not be providing such software.

3. USB. Apparently this works even with older motherboards without UEFI, provided the operating system supports big drives. USB 3.0 is pretty fast.

4. NAS. Apparently this works with everything, provided the network software supports >2TB drives.
 
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