[ale] If you own (almost) ANY HDD, repartition with 4k boundaries

[Phil Turmel]

Hi Ron,

On 01/07/2013 01:04 PM, Ron Frazier (ALE) wrote:
> Hi Phil,
> 
> OK, I guess I left myself open for that.

:-)

> I'll make the bet under the following criteria.  I have to clarify
> some things so we're on the same page.  Here's what you have to do to
> win.
> 
> You must get Windows XP running on bare metal on an advanced format 
> HDD , partitioned on 1 MiB boundaries, with XP's own bootloader as 
> follows:
> 
> * This bet is between Ron Frazier and Phil Turmel only.  No other 
> participants can claim the prize.  Helpers are allowed.

> * Windows XP must be running on bare metal, no virtual machines.

> * The storage medium must be a hard drive, not an ssd or a hybrid 
> drive.

> * The hard drive must have 4 KB physical sectors.  This must be 
> documented on the hard drive maker's site.  Please provide a link.

Seagate Barracuda Green:
http://www.seagate.com/internal-hard-drives/desktop-hard-drives/barracuda-green/

# smartctl -i /dev/sdf
smartctl 5.42 2011-10-20 r3458 [x86_64-linux-3.6.2] (local build)
Copyright (C) 2002-11 by Bruce Allen, http://smartmontools.sourceforge.net

=== START OF INFORMATION SECTION ===
Model Family:     Seagate Barracuda Green (Adv. Format)
Device Model:     ST2000DL003-9VT166
Serial Number:    5YD2EZNB
LU WWN Device Id: 5 000c50 032ffff5b
Firmware Version: CC32
User Capacity:    2,000,398,934,016 bytes [2.00 TB]
Sector Size:      512 bytes logical/physical
Device is:        In smartctl database [for details use: -P show]
ATA Version is:   8
ATA Standard is:  ATA-8-ACS revision 4
Local Time is:    Mon Jan  7 16:10:20 2013 EST
SMART support is: Available - device has SMART capability.
SMART support is: Enabled

> * You may NOT use the jumper on some drives that lies to the pc and 
> claims sector 64 is 63.

Not applicable for a partition starting at 2048, but no, no such
twiddling on my part.

> * AFTER the XP installation.  The first partition of the hard drive 
> must begin on sector 2048 according to gparted.  A screenshot of the 
> gparted information screen for that partition will act as proof.  If 
> Windows XP repartitions the drive during installation and changes
> the beginning sector, it must be repartitioned again to put the
> beginning sector at 2048.  The hard should use MBR format.

If XP repartitions during install when I tell it to use the partition I
prepared for it, I'll concede the bet.

> * Windows XP must be installed on the first partition.

> * Once the installation is done, Windows XP must boot and load 
> properly on the above referenced hard drive..  A screenshot of the
> my computer properties screen will act as proof.

> * Windows XP must boot with its own native bootloader.  If you have 
> to repair a failed boot sequence, you may use only the Windows XP 
> install disk, not Windows Vista or 7 or 8.  If you use a Linux tool 
> to repair a broken boot sequence, you cannot replace the Windows XP 
> bootloader.  Booting to Grub, for example, is not allowed.

I expect no repair required.

> * Results of the testing should be published here to ALE with 
> screenshots linked to in a publicly accessible place.

> * If you get it working, you have to tell the rest of us how you did 
> it.

Of course.

> If you get it working under these conditions, I will buy you a drink 
> up to $ 5.  If you try and fail, I get the $ 5.
> 
> Let me know what you think.  8-)

You're on.  And I'll buy Jim a drink anyways.

Phil