Upgrading Capacity Using Instant Cake & an Older Computer

[vasilemj]

I have purchased a 750GB hard drive and have also paid for the latest version of Instant Cake for my Series 2 model TCD140060. However, I have a computer that is nearly 8 years old and while it does have 2 IDE ports on the motherboard as recommended by DVRUpgrade, I'm positive that the motherboard/BIOS won't support a hard drive greater than 137GB. In fact, when I added a second hard drive to my computer, I had to go out and purchase a separate PCI card that the drive plugged into that would allow my computer to recognize the newer, high-capacity drive.

If I follow the instructions provided by DVRUpgrade for using Instant Cake, will I run into any problems? I understand that LBA48 support is on the boot disk but does my motherboard/BIOS also need to support it as well?

[Lou Jacob]

I have purchased a 750GB hard drive and have also paid for the latest version of Instant Cake for my Series 2 model TCD140060. However, I have a computer that is nearly 8 years old and while it does have 2 IDE ports on the motherboard as recommended by DVRUpgrade, I'm positive that the motherboard/BIOS won't support a hard drive greater than 137GB. In fact, when I added a second hard drive to my computer, I had to go out and purchase a separate PCI card that the drive plugged into that would allow my computer to recognize the newer, high-capacity drive.

If I follow the instructions provided by DVRUpgrade for using Instant Cake, will I run into any problems? I understand that LBA48 support is on the boot disk but does my motherboard/BIOS also need to support it as well?

The BIOS on your PC has nothing to do with it; its all about the boot CD. That is not a guarantee that it will work, however using a PC that old isn't necessarily a reason why it shouldn't, either.

If you are looking for a guarantee, you might want to consider a kit instead (or at least plan on getting a kit if things don't work on your PC - the purchase price of InstantCake can be applied to a new kit if it doesn't work for you).

Best bet is to make sure you have access to a couple of PC's though if you are uncertain.

[vasilemj]

Do I risk damaging anything or losing the full capacity of my hard drive if I hook the hard drive up to my computer and it doesn't go as planned....say it only reconizes 137GB. Could I try it again on a newer PC should I be able to find one to use?

[Lou Jacob]

Do I risk damaging anything or losing the full capacity of my hard drive if I hook the hard drive up to my computer and it doesn't go as planned....say it only reconizes 137GB. Could I try it again on a newer PC should I be able to find one to use?

No, there is nothing about the software, or your particular PC (unless there is something very wrong with it) that will damage any hard drive.

Lou

[vasilemj]

Thanks for the advice Lou. Everything worked out perfectly just as you suggested.

[Lou Jacob]

Thanks for the advice Lou. Everything worked out perfectly just as you suggested.

Excellent!

Please post in the success stories thread - linked below!

Cheers,
Lou