How do I get Windows 7 to install on a full 3 TB HDD?

[Phusius]

Everytime I try to install Windows 7 on my 3TB HDD it reads it as 2 TB and then 1TB as a separate drive, this is after I run Seagate Disk Wizard and reboot, in BIOS it shows it is a full single 3 TB partition when I install Windows 7 fresh.


Motherboard is Asus Z68 Deluxe
HDD is Seagate 3 TB M001
Win 7 64 Home Premium

 

[TRWOV]

Update bios? The board must have UEFI to be able to boot from a >2TB volume.

 

[Phusius]

Yes it is UEFI and BIOS is up to date.

 

[TRWOV]

You must format the disk in GPT format, MBR has a 2.2TB limitation. I don't know if the W7 installer can do it but if it doesn't you can use Diskpart. From the first screen of the installer hit shift+F10, that'll take you to the command line.

Type diskpart to start diskpart and follow these instructions: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/297800/en-us

If you already formatted the disk in MBR format type "clean" just before step 4.

 

[newtekie1]

I didn't think Win7 could boot from a GPT disk though.

 

[TRWOV]

Well, then there's your answer OP.

 

[n0tiert]

Info about that Issue:
http://windowstipoftheday.blogspot.de/2011/04/windows-7-3tb-hard-drives-and-larger.html

http://www.techpowerup.com/133589/A...Make-Use-of-HDDs-with-Over-2-TB-Capacity.html

Solution:

disk unlocker@ASUS/

http://event.asus.com/mb/2010/disk_unlocker/Software/DiskUnlocker_WIN7.zip

Z68 ist not listed but try it

 

[newtekie1]

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=167245

It would seem it actually is possible, so there you go.

 

[Phusius]

Thanks everyone, much appreciated. Giving this a shot now. I already try converting to GPT once already and it worked, but still only showed 2 TB, however, the steps listed your link Newteki have a few added steps I did not do. Also, I decided to go with Windows 8 Pro since Windows 7 was giving me so much trouble with this issue, yet it still gave me the same problems of only showing 2 TB then a separate 700ish GB drive.

Here goes nothing, thanks all, will be reporting back soon, hozzah!

 

[brandonwh64]

Thanks everyone, much appreciated. Giving this a shot now. I already try converting to GPT once already and it worked, but still only showed 2 TB, however, the steps listed your link Newteki have a few added steps I did not do. Also, I decided to go with Windows 8 Pro since Windows 7 was giving me so much trouble with this issue, yet it still gave me the same problems of only showing 2 TB then a separate 700ish GB drive.

Here goes nothing, thanks all, will be reporting back soon, hozzah!

You may could divide into two partitions 1.5GB a piece and that would be easier.

 

[Phusius]

You may could divide into two partitions 1.5GB a piece and that would be easier.

I shall not give up!!!

Also, the Asus Unlocker does not work. Moving on to the command prompt in the link by newtekie, will report back soon! xD

 

[brandonwh64]

I shall not give up!!!

Also, the Asus Unlocker does not work. Moving on to the command prompt in the link by newtekie, will report back soon! xD

Another question (not to seem like a smart ass) why do you need a 3TB OS drive?

 

[Geofrancis]

i would always recommend splitting a drive that big. 500gb for windows and the rest for your data. if you run one big partition then you will have problems if you have to reinstall windows because you cannot just format your C drive and reinstall you would have to back up the entire drive before you could format it.