Article ID: 897086 - Last Review: July 13, 2005 - Revision: 1.3

Windows Setup may report the size of an IDE hard disk incorrectly in Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, and Windows 2000

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SYMPTOMS

When you use a Windows Setup CD to install Windows on an integrated drive electronics (IDE) hard disk, the Windows Setup program may report the disk size incorrectly. When you use the text-based part of Windows Setup to delete the partitions on the disk, divided entries remain. The free space seems to be divided, although no partitions exist.
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CAUSE

This problem occurs if the IDE hard disk was formerly part of a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) stripe set.
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RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, follow these steps:
  1. Restart the computer from the Windows Setup CD.
  2. Delete all the divided entries.
  3. Restart the computer again from the Windows Setup CD.
You may have to repeat these steps until no divided entries remain on the disk. When no divided free space entries remain, the size of the remaining free space entry matches the size of the disk.
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APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition (32-bit x86)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition (32-bit x86)
  • Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
  • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition
  • Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
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Keywords: 
kbsetup kbtshoot kbprb KB897086
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