bios newbie question on a Gateway notebook

Don't ask how to hack password. (BIOS Passwords)
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wimsbios2048
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Joined: Sat Jul 23, 2005 4:58 am

System: Gateway Solo 9150, 10GB FUJI HD, 256MB RAM, WinME/Linux, PhoenixNote BIOS 4.0 rev 5.3

After 2 calls to Gateway "technical" support (which seems like nothing more than sales), and specifically asking if the BIOS would support it, I was assured I could put a 60GB drive on the system with no problems. In fact, both support reps wanted to sell me a 60 G Hitachi.

Not wanting to pay their prices, I bought the drive elsewhere. On installation, the BIOS would not recognize the drive. The HD setup screen won't take the high (c,h,s) numbers needed. Its a longer story, but I eventually found a page on the GW site saying the 9150s only support HDs up to 30G. So the a**hole tech guys wanted to sell me a HD my system wouldn't even support.

My BIOS is the latest GW supplies, 2001. I'm wondering if this is just a "Gateway" BIOS limitation. EG, would it be possible to flash with a non-GW Phoenix BIOS that has support for larger drives? Or would GW have done some customizations in their BIOS that I wouldn't get in another BIOS?

Or should I just go get a 30G and move on?

(BTW, I don't know what the mobo is. I'd like to find out what I can do first)

Thanks for any help.
Sharedoc
Notebook Genius
Posts: 679
Joined: Mon Aug 18, 2003 8:46 pm
Location: Finland

If you still can return the 60G to the shop and exchange it to 30G this is the easiest way. 30G is plenty for a old laptop.
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