PRB: Disk Size Reported By Compaq Differs from Windows NT

• Microsoft Windows NT operating system version 3.1
• Microsoft Windows NT Advanced Server version 3.1
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.5 and 3.51
• Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.5 and 3.51

SYMPTOMS

When you install a Compaq computer, the number of bytes recognized by Disk Administrator may be substantially different from what is reported by the Compaq disk utility.

For example, on a Compaq Proliant 4500, SmartScsi Controller with four 2.1 gigabytes drives, the available disk space was reported by Compaq Smart Start as having 8 gigabytes available. However when Windows NT 3.5 was installed, Disk Administrator reported available disk space at 6 gigabytes.

CAUSE

This occurs when the disk is improperly formatted during setup. If a Compaq computer has not been previously formatted using the FORMAT FOR NT option, the size of the disk reported by disk administrator may differ significantly.

Windows NT uses a different method of calculating the disk sectors available. For more information about this, please see the following articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q111045
   TITLE     : Boot Partition Size Limit with Compaq SmartSCSI Controller

   ARTICLE-ID: Q138064
   TITLE     : Search Order for OLE Servers

RESOLUTION

In order for Windows NT's Disk Administrator to see the correct number of sectors, the disk must be formatted under Compaq's EISA config utility, under advanced options, option #4, NT 3.5 MAX Partition.

The Compaq products discussed here are manufactured by Compaq Corporation, a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.