Lost my partitions over the 4gb barrier

[Brian Hoskins]

By default the powerflyer software manages a HD in "split-mode" which means that it splits the HardDrive up into a number of 4GB drives in order to keep compatability with older systems which don't support +4GB.  For example, if you put a 40GB drive in there and the PowerFlyer was  using the drive in "split-mode" you'd end up with 10 seperate drives all of 4GB in size, and you'd need to partition each of these seperate drives to suit your preference.

Alternatively you can use the PowerFlyer software in "no-split" mode so that in my example HDToolbox would then see just one drive of 40GB in size and that full 40GB would be available for you to partition or use as you please.  This is assuming that your system supports +4GB which as far as I'm aware mainly depends on which version of AmigaOS you're running.  I never experimented with large Hard Drives until I began to run OS3.9 so my knowledge on compatability with older versions of AmigaOS with +4GB drives is limited, perhaps someone else can clear up this area for us.

Going on the symptom you described, it seems to me that you've got your powerflyer running in split-mode because it sounds like HDToolbox has seen that extra drives have been added to the system (the split 4GB drives created by the PowerFlyer software) and you've gone along with it and clicked yes to add the drives.  You've probably got just one 4GB partition formatted and that's why you can only see one 4GB drive on your desktop.  The easy way to test if this is the case is to open HDToolbox and take a look at the added drives screen, which is the screen you see when you first start up the application.  If the PowerFlyer software is working in No-Split mode you should see entries for any CD or DVD drives you've got and one entry for each of the HardDrives you've got installed as well.  The HardDrives should, if everything is working properly, display their full capacity.  In your case you should have an entry for a 15GB HD.
If the PowerFlyer is working in Split-Mode, as I suspect it is with your system at the moment, then you'll probably see entries for your CD and DVD drives plus multiple entries for your HD drives which are all split up into 4GB capacities.  In this mode you need to install and partition each of these seperately as if they really were seperate HardDrives connected to your Amiga.

If you want to use the drive in No-Split mode so that you get the full 15GB as ONE HardDrive then you need to set this preference in the ata3 preferences program and then re-install/partition the drive whilst the powerfyer software is set in this mode.  Be aware that installing a HD effectively destroys all the information stored on it.

What version AmigaOS are you running, and what version of the PowerFlyer software do you have?

Brian

[Brian Hoskins]

I was unaware of this problem, infact I upgraded to Version 7 in order to avoid problems with the Split / No-Split preferences in older versions.

If you've trashed the RDB and it's upsetting the PowerFlyer software, then what if you stick the drive into a PC and format it there first? I know it's a real hassle but maybe that will bring you back to square 1 as far as setting the drive up on the Amiga goes?

If your drive is showing up as a full 15GB drive but then the partition screen only allows you to use a much lower amount then there's normally something wrong with the RDB information.  I don't pretend to understand how to determine the values for heads, cylinders and so on, but sometimes if you visit the HD manufacturer's website you can obtain the correct information.  If you input this information during the RDB setup then normally it'll work fine and you'll be able to allocate the full 15GB in the partition screen.

Brian