Does anyone know what kind of HDD size P2 400mhz+ can take?

[bcoder]

Hi,

I'm new here and just wanting to know a few things before I start building my jukebox.

[mnm1200]

400Mhz should work just fine.

As for the hard drive limitations, I don't think a system that old would have 48-bit LBA support in the BIOS. You can either buy a separate card that allows for 48-bit LBA support or have support in the operating system via DDO. Due to the way BIOS's load drivers, a card would be the best option. The worst would be using a DDO program since you lose almost any chance of moving that drive to another system later.

Just remember you can always partition smaller and expand it later...

Cheers!

[MnMCaputo]

well for the most part from p2 and up mobos, you should be able to have at least a 137 gig harddrive using the onboard ide controller from the mobo.  but, lets say you get a 250gig drive and  for some reason it doesnt work and doesnt recognize it, you could always get an pci ide controller card from newegg for like $15-20 http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=15-124-001&depa=0
and then you could go ask big as you want.  now i'm saying this thinking you are using 98se, xp, 2000, if your going linux or dos, lol  who knows

[bcoder]

Thanks for the help guys, I'll get me a PC then just try to see if it detects the full size of the HDD I'll probably go 120gb an use windows 98 as OS.  If not I'll just buy one of those  pci ide controller cards that you recommend.  Thanks a million once I've the hardware going I'll ask for some software recommendations, then finally I'm going to build a jukebox style case out of wood to house the screen and box.  My mates a tradesmen so he'll do most of it well I just tell him what to do lol.

[krick]

Windows 98 can't handle larger than 120GB drives so don't bother trying anything bigger.

[bcoder]

Cheers for that, what about getting a bigger harddrive an partioning it to under 120gb?

[krick]

I think you *might* be able to do that as long as your motherboard supports LBA48 and you use the software that came with the hard drive to do the partitioning.  However, I'm not positive of this so don't take it as the gospel.

[Crazy Cooter]

yes, you can "undersize" the hard drive like that.  Use the utilty that comes with the hard drive and it will setup quicker.