Adding new SCSI HD to my A2000

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

You're trying to put 300GB drives in your Amiga?  

3.9 has fewer limitations than previous versions, but even if you use the latest HDToolbox and PFS or SFS file system, you're probably still going to have some issues creating partitions out beyond 128GB.  That's assuming your controller supports them and you have the right adapters to physically plug them in.

IMHO unless you have a pressing need for that much storage you might be better off starting a little smaller until you've acquired more experience?  But what the heck, you only live once, right?  Go for it.  

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Personally I would skip 3.1 and just go straight to the 3.9 install. Less likely to have old, legacy files floating around that way.

Would also suggest reading through some of the other threads on the forum for potential obstacles. LoadWB's thread (also on the home screen) might have some useful tips for you.

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

right now, I am running OS3.9....so to be clear, I need to boot with 3.1 and begin the configuration?

Oh god no.

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Exactly how do you boot form a CD with no CDFS?

Um, with the 3.9 ERD boot floppy. There's instructions and a tool for making one right on the disk. Contains HDtoolbox and everything else you need for setting up a new Amiga hard drive + 3.9 install.

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Since you already have a running 3.9 system that's going to make this a *lot* easier. Just make sure you're running at least BB2 (BB4 is better), plug it in, and use HDtoolbox to prep with the file system of your choice (PFS or SFS are recommended) and partition/format.  Check the box to make one of the partitions bootable (typically the first partition, <500 MB) if you intend to install an OS and make it a boot drive.

Read the docs for those file systems, I still think you're going to have issues out beyond 128GB, but don't know, never tried.

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Blurry on my phone. Damn YouTube video compression. What does it say? Try a screenshot.

In any case, I recognize the Install screen. Assuming it detected the properties correctly you just need to hit "Install", then go on to partitioning it.

Edit: nevermind. Looks like you'll need to manually enter those values.

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

You need to manually enter the correct drive geometry before you even begin to partition it, unless you want to end up with a whole bunch of wasted space.

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Omfg. HDtoolbox can't read every drive correctly. Go read LoadWB's thread right next to this one. From what I could see of his first video it looks like it detected only 45GB instead of 300.

Edit: I'm assuming you are hitting the correct buttons in HDtoolbox, lol.

You still haven't mentioned what file system you're planning on using. Please say it's either PFS or SFS.

[Oldsmobile_Mike]

You need to manually configure the drive geometry to use the full space on your drive.

The latest version of PFS3-AIO is on Aminet. You'll want that, plus the "53" tools. Not sure where folks get SFS (I don't use it), but am sure someone can chime in on that one. Look at the links in my previous post to learn more about them. You really should use one or the other, not FFS.

And don't use "Automatic" partition sizing.