Windows not recognizing 2nd HD

[MGully8]

I was running Win XP as a basic server basically providing my XBMC and a few other PCs with content. The configuration was a 80gb maxtor hard drive that had the OS and a 300 gb Seagate for storage.

About a month ago it become apparent that some kind of malware infiltrated my system and a clean install would be needed. I put it off knowing it was needed but just didn't have the time. Finally it had to be done, I threw in a 3rd hard drive to back up the files on the 80 gb before reformatting. Completed that and started the clean install to find that Windows was now asking to reformat the 300 gigger before it was able to access it. WTF it was working just fine before and it would kill me to have to reformat and lose all my content.

Any ideas of what I can do to fix this?

 

[0roo0roo]

sp2?
i have a 300gb that doesn't get recognized when i reinstall windows until i install service packs

 

[MGully8]

Lifer - does it ask to re-format or just can not see it?

 

[0roo0roo]

it shows a generic drive
if i click on it, it asks to format.
maybe original xp couldnt handle very large disks? i dunno, it seems that way for me atleast.

 

[JustaGeek]

Install the XP on the new drive first, and only then connect the 300GB.

Another words, during XP installation, have only the System (Active) hard drive connected to the motherboard.

After you've updated XP to SP2, connect your 300GB.

Only Service Pack 2 gave Windows the ability to address hard drives larger than 137GB - I think your problem lies here.

 

[JDub02]

I think this will help my brother out with his problem. He just built a new machine for running Pro Tools and it wouldn't recognize a 400 gb hard drive he had for saving audio. I'll have him check that SP2 is installed.

 

[MGully8]

Installed SP2 and wala it appeared. Thanks to everyone that quickly replied to my post and provided incite. I would have been pounding my head against wall figuring this out and not installing SP2 because I did not want to waist my time.