Windows XP and 4TB External Hard Drive

Totempole

Totempole

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Is it possible to get a 4TB Seagate External Hard Drive working with Windows XP?

I see that GPT formatted drives are incompatible with XP. I haven't actually tested it yet, but would like to know what your thoughts are as to whether a 4TB external drive on a Windows XP system will be possible.

Thanks :)
 
Format to NTFS I would assume, shouldn't be an issue then.

EDIT: Sorry no, you need to install special drivers.
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2172125/windows-unable-read-4tb-nas-harddisk.html

Windows XP doesn't recognize above 2.2TB because MBR partitions are limited to 2.2TB and XP doesn't recognize GPT partitions which is the type of partitions you need to use on the 4TB disk. This means you have to partition the HDD in GPT and to make Windows XP recognize GPT partitions you need to install a driver named GPT Loader... See if you can download it from the lower link. Another solution is to install Paragon Partition Manager which installs a GPT driver, or you can download the driver from Paragon.com. Saw the link a while back but I'd need to search for it again.

This is to make Windows XP recognize above 2.2TB but the HD has to be first recognized by the BIOS, so check your BIOS disk controller settings. You may have to set IDE Native but try AHCI first unles it's already on... or check if USB is enabled.

Check the info on this thread.
http://www.tomshardware.com/answers/id-2166932/options-...

How To Use 3TB Hard Drives On Windows XP
http://www.ghacks.net/2010/11/04/how-to-use-3tb-hard-dr...

Windows XP GPT Loader
http://www.updatestar.com/topic/windows xp gpt lo...

According to the info on partitionwizard.com, MiniTool Partition Wizard 8.1.1 may be another solution for Windows XP 32 or 64 bit. I can't confirm it cause I don't have larger than 1TB HDDs and rarely use XP anymore.
http://www.partitionwizard.com/
Click to expand...
 
It is formatted with NTFS, but with GPT instead of MBR to allow for the full 4TB capacity.
 
MickeyD said:
Nope, not so easy.... XP has a limitation on drive size, nothing >2TB.
Click to expand...

I have a WD MyBook 3TB which comes with an app that allows you to format it in a way that makes it XP compatible. No such luck with the Seagate apparently.

EDIT: @Johnatan56 - Remember, this is an external drive, so BIOS recognition isn't a problem. Also, I don't need to boot from it or anything. Just need to transfer data to it from within Windows XP.
 
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Rickster said:
XP? Come on, its getting a bit old dont you think?
Click to expand...

I need to backup the data before the machine is updated to Windows 7. I will be making use of Acronis for the most part, but would also like to back up the files directly to the drive from the OS, to avoid potential issues with file permissions etc.

Unfortunately, the only drive I have available right now happens to be 4TB.
 
Totempole said:
I need to backup the data before the machine is updated to Windows 7. I will be making use of Acronis for the most part, but would also like to back up the files directly to the drive from the OS, to avoid potential issues with file permissions etc.

Unfortunately, the only drive I have available right now happens to be 4TB.
Click to expand...

Cant you make 2 partitions of 2TB's?
 
Rickster said:
Cant you make 2 partitions of 2TB's?
Click to expand...

It won't make a difference if it's a GPT drive. XP probably won't be able to read it.

The only way it would definitely work is if I formatted it to 2TB as an MBR drive.

The thing is, there are currently files on the drive, so I don't want to format it if I can help it.
 
Totempole said:
It won't make a difference if it's a GPT drive. XP probably won't be able to read it.

The only way it would definitely work is if I formatted it to 2TB as an MBR drive.

The thing is, there are currently files on the drive, so I don't want to format it if I can help it.
Click to expand...

Are the files you are copying RAW files (music, pics, etc) or are they program files?
 
Rickster said:
Cant you use a DVD or USB?
Click to expand...

Good point. I have a couple of 32GB flash drives I could use. :) Should be big enough, but if not, I could transfer them to the 4TB through another PC.

In that case problem solved, Thanks. :)

As for DVDs... Aren't they a bit old now? :p

Actually I still use them. They're less temperamental as bootable media.
 
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