Windows 7 64bit / Intel DX58SO2 Board / WD Red 4TB WD40EFRX

mike1950r

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 21, 2017
Posts
168
Hello,

we have two computers:

Windows 7 64bit / Intel DX58SO2 Board
Each one has 4 HDDs including the 4th one with 1TB for backup.
We want to replace this one with a WD Red 4TB WD40EFRX hdd. (SATA III, 4TB for NAS-systems.)

The motherboard has sata II and III ports.

This disk will also be just for backup, not for booting up.

Is this configuration compatible with our BIOS and how do we have to setup windows?
If we would have to split the new hdd into two 2TB partitions, this would be ok for us.

Thanks in advance for any help and advice.

cheers mike
 
Hi,

If you want to use the full 4TB in one volume you have to initiate the HDD as GPT and then you can create a partition that uses the full disk size.

Only when a 4TB disk is used for boot things get more complicated...
 
I cannot find in any of the documentation for that Intel motherboard where support for larger drives has been added, nor do I see it referenced in any of the BIOS Updates. But that does not mean large drive support is not possible.

So if me, I would make sure you have the latest BIOS update. As suggested by SleepyDude, you should be able to convert the drive to GPT through Disk Management to use the drive as one 4TB drive, but if support is not there, still be prepared to divide the drives into at least 2 partitions of 2TB or less.

That said, I would advise you reconsider putting money into these systems at this point in time. If you note in that BISO Update link, Intel reports End Of Life for that board is November 22, 2019, after which, BIOS updates won't even be available to downloading. And as seen here, mainstream support for Windows 7 ended over 4 years ago and extended support ends this coming January 14, 2020.

I would urge you to look into purchasing new PCs with Windows 10 instead of throwing more money into these legacy systems. It is important to understand, with all support ending, including critical security updates, those systems will become more vulnerable to security risks and malware due to a lack of security updates. The problem becomes a bigger issue because compromised systems are not just a threat to you, the user. If these systems are connected to a network that has Internet access, these compromised systems then become a threat to the rest of us as those systems are often used to distribute spam, malware or be used in DDoS attacks against others - all while the user is unaware they are infected. This is exactly why XP should no longer be used, or at least never connected to any network that has Internet access.

There are some who feel bad guys are already sitting on malware designed to exploit existing, but otherwise unknown vulnerabilities, waiting for January 2020 to roll around so they can pounce. Not sure I believe that, but it is possible. And it is most probable there are undiscovered vulnerabilities that will, eventually, be discovered by the bad guys and then exploited for their malicious deeds. :(

I realize nobody wants to replace working computer hardware. But frankly, that's just a fact of life when it comes to consumer electronics.
 
Hi,

thanks all for your replies.

If I would only use max 2 X 2TB partitions, would this work without GPT?

If so, could I setup the partitions in Windows 7?
Say connect unformated, split into two partitions, and format each one.

Also, the 2TB partitions, should be handled in BIOS,
say, we use Norton Gost for writing disk images,
would the 2TB partitions be accessible?

Our current 1TB is accessible without problems.

Digerati, thanks for your Windows10 and new computer advice.
Our computers are music production workstations, with very individual setup and performance.
Both computers are exactly equal and the second one is just reserve for the first one.

We will never throw them away and replace with others.
If there would be a security issue, that could not be handled, we would just disconnect them from internet.

Anyway, looking forward for advices concerning the 4TB disk 2X2TB partition issue.

Thanks lot again

cheers mike
 
Hi
SleepyDude
thanks for your reply.

My board DX58SO2 has
Intel(R) ICH10R SATA AHCI Controller
driver 11.7.0.1013

Would be good to know if 4TB would be supported.

Thanks for advice

cheers mike
 
no it's not the boot device,
it's just a backup disk.

that would be a 4TB disk devided into 2 X 2TB partitions.

cheers mike
 

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