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

[Ron Frazier (ALE)]

Hi Phil and others,

I discovered some really ugly complications regarding using NTFS with 4K 
drives.  It doesn't look good for XP.  Anyone who maintains Windows 
systems needs to see these MS support docs.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2510009
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/982018
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2553708

Sincerely,

Ron


On 1/7/2013 4:50 PM, Phil Turmel wrote:
> 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
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>
>    

-- 

(To whom it may concern.  My email address has changed.  Replying to former
messages prior to 03/31/12 with my personal address will go to the wrong
address.  Please send all personal correspondence to the new address.)

(PS - If you email me and don't get a quick response, you might want to
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Ron Frazier
770-205-9422 (O)   Leave a message.
linuxdude AT techstarship.com