DIGIT-ARC read-only archive · snapshot: July 23, 2026

Mainboard & HDD.

16 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/mainboard-hdd.101342/

He28
He28 Original post #1
Nov 5, 2008 at 5:19 AM
Hi all.
Please help me to find out which motherboard I am using. Is there any way or utility to find out which mainboard I am using in my Acer macine?
Its a second hand PC and I have no manuals/information about hardware. All I know is, it has P4 3.06 GHz with 512 MB RAM. 120GB SATA HDD.
I wish to know about mainboard and what is the maximum size of HDD it can accept. I am planning to buy a 250 GB drive. I am not sure if it will be accepted without any comaptibility issues.
:confused:
Aplogies if it is repost.
Thank you for time.
:)
He28
He28 #2
Nov 6, 2008 at 11:07 AM
No body helping... :cry:
Is there no way to find what maximum size of HHD my system can accept?
john_the_ultimate
Nov 6, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Use everest *www.lavalys.com/products/download.php?ps=UE&lang=en
He28
He28 #4
Nov 7, 2008 at 6:58 AM
john_the_ultimate, thanks buddy.
I will try this and let you know. Will this application help me to find the maximum HDD size my system can accept?
desiibond
Nov 7, 2008 at 7:48 AM
motherboard model number should flash during boot at POST (black background with grey text)
He28
He28 #6
Nov 7, 2008 at 8:25 AM
motherboard model number should flash during boot at POST (black background with grey text)

Hi desiibond...
How is E6 thread going on??
How will I be able to find the max size of HDD for my system?
Thanks
desiibond
Nov 7, 2008 at 8:52 AM
E6 thread??

current systems support huge size of HDD's, say it will be in terabytes.

post your mobo model number first.
P
paroh #8
Nov 7, 2008 at 8:56 AM
i think it will support hard disk as ur computer have sata support. If there is a little dout u can buy ultra ata card. if u thinking of buying sata hard disk so go for ata card that supports sata other wise purchase ata card supporting ide

Note: U buy hard disk 99% it will work and for other 1% u can buy Ultra ata card later on. Card is cheap around Rs.600-700
He28
He28 #9
Nov 7, 2008 at 11:52 PM
Hi all.
Thanks for your help.
Here is the data. I hope this is all info you need to help me.
Thanks again.
:)

Motherboard Properties:
Motherboard ID = 09/26/2006-P4M800Pro-823-6A7L6M4AC-00
Motherboard Name = MSI PM8M3-V / PM8PM-IL
CPU Type = Intel Pentium 4 524, 3066 MHz (23 x 133)
Motherboard Chipset = VIA CN700 / P4M800 CE / P4M800 Pro / VN800

Front Side Bus Properties:
Bus Type Intel GTL+
Bus Width 64-bit
Real Clock 133 MHz (QDR)
Effective Clock 533 MHz
Bandwidth 4266 MB/s
Memory Bus Properties:
Bus Type DDR2 SDRAM
Bus Width 64-bit
DRAM:FSB Ratio 8:4
Real Clock 267 MHz (DDR)
Effective Clock 533 MHz
Chipset Bus Properties:
Bus Type VIA V-Link
Bus Width 8-bit
Real Clock 67 MHz (ODR)
Effective Clock 533 MHz
Bandwidth 533 MB/s
Motherboard Manufacturer:
Company Name Micro-Star Int'l Co.,Ltd.
Product Information *global.msi.com.tw/index.php?func=prodpage2&maincat_no=1&cat2_no=170
BIOS Download *global.msi.com.tw/index.php?func=downloadindex

BIOS Properties:
Vendor = Phoenix Technologies, LTD
Version = 6.00 PG
Release Date = 09/26/2006
Size = 512 KB
Boot Devices = Floppy Disk, Hard Disk, CD-ROM, ATAPI ZIP, LS-120
Capabilities = Flash BIOS, Shadow BIOS, Selectable Boot, EDD, BBS
Supported Standards = DMI, APM, ACPI, PnP
Expansion Capabilities = ISA, PCI, AGP, USB
desiibond
desiibond #10
Nov 8, 2008 at 8:43 AM
^^ you can use any HDD that is currently available in the market but you need to have Vista or XP with SP2 installed.
He28
He28 #11
Nov 11, 2008 at 4:06 PM
Thanks desiibond
So you mean to say I can add a 250 GB SATA without any issues? So, why SP2 is needed for XP?
I will be really thankful if you can explain the use of SP2 for HDD compatibility. And is there any restriction for size of active partition?
Thanks.
:)
Zangetsu
Zangetsu #12
Nov 11, 2008 at 4:18 PM
So, why SP2 is needed for XP?
I will be really thankful if you can explain the use of SP2 for HDD compatibility. :)

SP2 has many features....such as enhanced security,upgraded version of system drivers,bug fixes in XP initial version...etc

There is no question of SP2 4 HDD compatibility :D
He28
He28 #13
Nov 25, 2008 at 12:28 PM
Thank you guys.
One last question....
Is it possible to find from above data how many SATA can be connected. If I am correct the boards usually support 4 parallel HDDs.
How many SATAs my mainboard can take.
Sorry, if I am bugging you with stupid questions.... I am 'Still Learning'.
Thanks again.
m-jeri
m-jeri #14
Nov 25, 2008 at 1:20 PM
^^

Open the Cabby..check how many SATA ports in ur mobo... and look how many power cables left..

then calculate the no of HDD's that could be plugged...

Or get a HDD dock..so that single USB port and any no of HDD..just use it like OLD 8 bit video game catridges

Or use External cases...get a USB multiplier...
He28
He28 #15
Nov 26, 2008 at 10:48 AM
^^

Open the Cabby..check how many SATA ports in ur mobo... and look how many power cables left....

I checked... it has only 1 SATA port (red one)...:(
Is there any cable available that can accept 2 SATAs the way we use to connect old HDDs??

^^

Or get a HDD dock..so that single USB port and any no of HDD..just use it like OLD 8 bit video game catridges

What's HDD dock? I am sorry again I am asking stupid questions.

Thanks you help.
He28
He28 #16
Nov 28, 2008 at 6:57 AM
No help...?? :(