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User profile for user: PWRMAC
PWRMAC Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

200GB Hard Drive Showing only 128GB with External FireWire Enclosure

Greetings. I can use some help, please, and soon.

I've got a G5 Original Dual Processor 2.0GHz which supports Hard Drives larger than 128GB for my two internal Seagate SATA Drives. I'm running Mac OS 10.4.8.

Recently my old VST External FireWire 30GB Drive died. I installed a Maxtor Ultra 200GB Internal Hard Drive that is an "Ultra ATA/100" drive. The model number is L01P200/L01V200. I successfully formatted the drive as "Mac OS Extended (Journaled) but I can only use/see 128GB.

From what I've read Apple says the G5 internal controller will support drives larger than 128GB and they claim that FireWire drives are no problem. I can only assume that the controller in my old VST FireWire housing does not support Ultra ATA/100. Does this make sense to anyone?

If I'm on the right track and I purchase a NEW External FireWire enclosure to replace the VST can I be certain the enclosure will support Ultra ATA/100 in 2006? I'd obviously like to have all 200GB (or as much of that as I can) to work with without resorting to funky software patches or a PCI card.

Any light that can be shed on this topic given my scenario, above, would be appreciated. I don't want to use the drive until things are "right".

Thanks in advance!
PWRMAC

G5 Dual 2.0 GHz Mac OS X (10.4.8) Also using two other VST FireWire enclosures with a 60GB and a 120GB drive

Posted on Nov 26, 2006 6:41 PM

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12 replies
User profile for user: Kappy
Kappy
User level: Level 10
361,741 points

Nov 26, 2006 8:25 PM in response to PWRMAC

Any new Firewire enclosure using the Oxford chipset (922 or 924 for FW800 support) should work. I've used enclosures from WiebeTech and CoolDrives. Of course there are many others.

You should, of course, check jumpers on the hard drive to be sure it wasn't configured to use less than its full capacity. You should also use Disk Utility to re-partition to the drive to be sure it's been properly partitioned for the Mac (using the Apple Partition Method.)
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User profile for user: Camelot
Camelot
User level: Level 9
54,333 points

Nov 26, 2006 10:47 PM in response to PWRMAC

> I can only assume that the controller in my old VST FireWire housing does not support Ultra ATA/100

This is almost certainly the case.

Since you're using a FireWire connection, the internal ATA bus on your system has no bearing - it could support >128 or not, it wouldn't matter. It's the controller in the FireWire enclosure that needs to support larger drives, and in this case it sounds like it doesn't.
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User profile for user: PWRMAC
PWRMAC Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Nov 27, 2006 2:27 PM in response to Aussie Susan

I recently bought some 300GB internal drives which
had a jumper on the back - jumper in limits the disk
capacity to 128GB; jumper out gives you the full
capacity.

Of course the drive comes with the jumper 'in'!!!

Not the same drives, but cold be the same
'resolution'.

Susan

Thanks Susan. I tried move and removing jumpers to no avail. Methinks it is still an old controller issue with my external FireWire enclosure. Thanks for your suggestions!
PWRMAC


G5 Dual 2.0 GHz Mac OS X (10.4.5)
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User profile for user: PWRMAC
PWRMAC Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Nov 27, 2006 2:37 PM in response to Kappy

Thank you Kappy and Camelot!

Kappy, I've found a reasonable enclosure for about $32. The FW chipset is an Oxford 911plus. This would be for my FireWire 400 port. A gent with a G5 (like mine) said this enclosure worked well for him for a larger drive. Many enclosures do not specify the Oxford chipset. (CoolDrives, BTW, won't allow returns on their enclosures so that's a deal-killer to me!) As to the jumpers observation: There is a pair of pins marked "cap limit" but there is no jumper on these pins. Maxtor seems to think the issue can only be resolved on a Mac by purchasing a PCI card. Yes, the Maxtor 200GB was partitioned using the Apple Partition Method. 127.5GB is all that shows.

Camelot, assuming that Kappy OK's the Oxford 911plus chipset issue, I wanted you and him to know that the enclosure description says: AZiO Aluminum Series ENC311-C41 3.5" USB 2.0+1394a External Enclosure - Retail

AC Adapter: Yes
Dimensions: 5.1" x 8.4" x 1.2"
Features: Support all 3.5" IDE Hard Disk Drives (UDMA 33/66, ATA-100/133 or AT-6). Hot Swappable - Plug & Plays. Aluminum design to keep your drive running cool and quiet. Add extra storage to your computer without opening up your computer case. Easily share one hard disk drive between multiple computers. Supports
Internal Interface: IDE
Material: Aluminum
Package Contents: 3.5" External Enclosure USB 2.0 Cable Firewire Cable Power Cord Power Adapter Vertical Stand Driver Disk User Manual
Model #: ENC311-C41

The Maxtor 200GB drive is, actually, ATA-133. I'm going to guess the VST drive is only ATA-66 or something. I bought it in 2000.

Thanks again for any continued thoughts and encouragement you might offer gentlemen!

Regards,
PWRMAC
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User profile for user: Kappy
Kappy
User level: Level 10
361,741 points

Nov 27, 2006 2:40 PM in response to PWRMAC

As far as I'm aware that enclosure should work. The limitation of 128 GBs is a controller limitation on certain Mac models made prior to the MDD models. It does not affect external FW drives. In any case, it would not be relevant to a G5 whose controller is quite capable of handling large drives
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User profile for user: PWRMAC
PWRMAC Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Nov 29, 2006 1:18 PM in response to PWRMAC

Well folks, I sprang for a different enclosure after all. For the same money I selected an enclosure that 22 reviews rated as five-stars. It seemed a bit more substantial than the enclosure I mentioned here. I am hoping to have the enclosure by this Friday or Saturday. I will certainly let you know if the new box for my Maxtor 200GB ATA 133 drive supports the whole drive!

Thanks to you all for your input and guidance!
PWRMAC

Here's what I ordered.

INOi HD-360C 3.5" USB + IEEE1394 External Enclosure - Retail

AC Adapter: Yes
Dimensions: 198 x 122 x 61 mm / 7.8 x 4.8 x 2.4 inches
Features: Support large capacity over 300GB, Stylish Blue Power/Data Access LED light
Internal Interface: IDE
Material: Aluminum
Package Contents: 3.5" External Enclosure USB Cable Firewire Cable Power Cord Power Adapter Driver Disk
Weight: 360g / 12.7oz. (without hard disk drive)
Model #: HD-360C
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User profile for user: rossbills
rossbills
User level: Level 1
25 points

Nov 29, 2006 5:12 PM in response to PWRMAC

Greetings. I can use some help, please, and soon.

I've got a G5 Original Dual Processor 2.0GHz which
supports Hard Drives larger than 128GB for my two
internal Seagate SATA Drives. I'm running Mac OS
10.4.8.

Recently my old VST External FireWire 30GB Drive
died. I installed a Maxtor Ultra 200GB Internal Hard
Drive that is an "Ultra ATA/100" drive. The model
number is L01P200/L01V200. I successfully formatted
the drive as "Mac OS Extended (Journaled) but I can
only use/see 128GB.

From what I've read Apple says the G5 internal
controller will support drives larger than 128GB and
they claim that FireWire drives are no problem. I can
only assume that the controller in my old VST
FireWire housing does not support Ultra ATA/100. Does
this make sense to anyone?

If I'm on the right track and I purchase a NEW
External FireWire enclosure to replace the VST can I
be certain the enclosure will support Ultra ATA/100
in 2006? I'd obviously like to have all 200GB (or as
much of that as I can) to work with without resorting
to funky software patches or a PCI card.

Any light that can be shed on this topic given my
scenario, above, would be appreciated. I don't want
to use the drive until things are "right".

Thanks in advance!
PWRMAC

G5 Dual 2.0 GHz
Mac OS X (10.4.8) Also using two other
VST FireWire enclosures with a 60GB and a 120GB
drive


I had no end of problems with my older firewire enclosures and newer iG5 and G5 towers. Eventually replaced them. Major problem was the power supplies - older capacitors starting to deteriorate. repair and replace power supplies did not solve problems for all of them, but also would not support larger drives. Kept crashing with the G5's in the office.

There are problems with the older Oxford 911 firewire interface and newer Macs. If you go to About this mac/more information/firewire it will tell you about the bus in your enclosure. The G5 interfaces do support the larger drives, as do most firewire buses available new now.

I've been doing a bit of video editting lately, so firewire back up was the best option for me.

I bought four replacement IceCube firewire enclosures (MacPower) through the apple retailer which support the bigger serial or IDE drives with a firewire interface and interface fine with my G5. They are expensive (aluminium cases) and have a range of firewire 400/800 and USB interfaces - between $110 and $190 Australian, to replace the older Oxford 911 enclosures which I junked.

I also added an internal serial card and frame from Wiebetech (www.wiebetech.com) who have a range of storage solutions. Check out their web site. International delivery in two weeks (premium freight)

The Maxtor Onetouch enclosures also work. Buy a cheap one with a small drive and replace the small drive with your new bigger drive for best bang for buck. Comes with Retrospect software. (Pain in the butt to configure for Mac but think I have it working now).

Best solution is to retire your old enclosure to be honest.
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User profile for user: PWRMAC
PWRMAC Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Nov 30, 2006 11:17 AM in response to rossbills

Thanks for weighing in other these issues Rossbills.

Indeed, I will be retiring the old VST enclosure as soon as the new enclosure arrives. The enclosure I originally chose had the Oxford 911 chip. I have no idea what chipset is used in the new enclosure. At any rate, I'll let you all know what happens when the enclosure arrives. It may actually be here tomorrow, Friday. I'll also see if there is any information the the chipset by the manufacturer.

More to come.

Thanks!
PWRMAC
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User profile for user: PWRMAC
PWRMAC Author
User level: Level 1
8 points

Dec 2, 2006 10:46 AM in response to PWRMAC

Solved! Hello Kappy and Camelot, et. al.

Well the INOI FireWire (and USB) enclosure arrived yesterday. The installation was a snap! At first DiskUtility didn't see the increased space as it defaulted to the old 128GB range. As I poked around I made one partition but it was only 176GB...an improvement. There was some residual Free Space left. I played around further and was able to max out at 189GB as I had wanted too. I subsequently made two partitions and everything is great! As I suspected, any you all confirmed, I needed a newer more modern enclosure to make it all happen.

Thanks to all of your for your input and suggestions! I'm glad to have the full use of the drive!

Happy holidays!

PWRMAC
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200GB Hard Drive Showing only 128GB with External FireWire Enclosure

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