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May 21st, 2023 02:00
Precision T5500. Wrong HDD size in Win10
My current build - T5500, win10 64 pro, 48GB RAM, does not recognize correctly my HGST 8TB HDDs formatted to NTFS GPT. While it shows the correct size in BIOS and in Intel Rapid utility during startup, it sees only 1.3TB by Win10.
My almost identical previous build - T3500, Win10 64 pro 20GB RAM, had two 3TB HGST HDDs by Toshiba HDDs, which worked properly in Intel Rapid Storage Technology RAID1 array.
I can't figure where the snag is.
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Chino de Oro
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8.1K Posts
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May 21st, 2023 05:00
You may want to check your machine user manual to see if the storage is limited to 6 tb only. This limitation is vary and depending on your settings with AHCI or RAID. Ensure the machine to have the latest BIOS firmware as well.
mic602
4 Posts
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May 21st, 2023 13:00
Thanks Chino,
I think that I found the problem and a part of the solution. The problem lies in Intel Rapid Storage Technology Utility that runs on the BIOS level and messes with HD management for older Dell machines. Intel scribbled that code when 2TB drives were considered a heresy. It reads and displays the drive code correctly, but the moment it is requested to perform actively any task (including but not limited to RAID creation) it mutilates the disk partitioning. I suspected that an updated INTEL code was available long before the last version of BIOS was rolled our for the T3500/5500/7500 series, but Dell ignored it, despite it performing important BIOS level functions.
Dell could at leas write a remark about the @2TB limitation silliness on the download page possibly with link to ways to mitigate it.
Solution part 1 of (...):
- Reboot the machine with Live-G-Parted-Utility-CD in it (don't forget to point in BIOS the startup to happen from that CD).
- The machine boots into a slimmed version of Linux. Using the G-Parted utility there, resize the drive(s) to the full size, press Apply. Exit, eject the CD and reboot the Machine normally. The big drives will show correctly now.
I am working now on the next stage of creating the 8TB RAID1 on the T5500.