HDD help / Asus Maximus VII Hero

[Intel_I7_4790K]

First of my specs:
Asus Maximus VII Hero
CPU: I7 4790K
RAM: 16GB Corsair
GPU: GTX 970 (4gb,superclocked,acx 2.0)
PSU: Corsair 750W
HDD: Seagate Barracuda 3tb
Windows 7

So I installed Windows, and everything seems to work fine but my HDD says 1.99TB, and the issue is, my HDD Disk is 3TB. My drive is not GPT and I cannot convert it to GPT because it is faded out. If anyone knows a fix, please reply.

Thanks.

[Sparax]

Hi Intel_I7_4790K

You need to do a UEFI Install of Windows to use the full allocation space of your disk

[MeanMachine]

Hi Intel_I7_4790K. There is a 2TB limit on MBR disks. You will need UEFI installation.

How to Convert MBR Disk to GPT Disk?

Go here: http://www.partition-tool.com/resource/GPT-disk-partition-manager/convert-mbr-disk-to-gpt-disk.htm.
And here: http://www.thewindowsclub.com/convert-mbr-to-gpt-disk

Make sure to backup all important files before partitioning.

[Intel_I7_4790K]

Thanks guys. But if I get a second hdd just for OS bootup, would I have my 3TB on the other hdd?

[MeanMachine]

Hi Intel_I7_4790K
I recommend an SSD for your boot drive, The difference in speed is worth the expense. And yes you would be able to use your HDD.
If you get an SSD, you can clone your current OS and files to the SSD, if you don't want to do a fresh install. And I would recommend the Samsung EVO.
The size is your choice, however it should be large enough to accommodate your current OS and important files.
Programs and games can then be stored on the HDD.
If you clone, you will have to make a small mod to your registry for the AHCI drivers to install and then enable AHCI in your Bios.

[Avoid]

I would also recommened an SSD for your boot drive. In my opinion you want an operating system drive between 256gb and 512gb.
If you use steam, install games to a secondary 1tb hdd or ssd tho mine is a 600gb velociraptor atm. And for any additional storage, then a 2tb internal or external.

And another tip. Do NOT get a 3tb Seagate. They have the worst fail rates in all hard drives. Yes its like any machinary, luck in what you get. But when you buy things you look at reviews and comments and play the percentages. Which is strange as I read seagate bought the samsung ssd line out, and they rock, but seagate drives fail rates have been on the rise. Some people will rave about seagate and how their drives have lasted 5 years, and that is because the drives are the good ones from 5 years ago, not the latest abortions that they are.

If you are going to buy a 3tb do better research into what your getting, and buy 2, or more. Build a NAS, or mirror setup in raid on your pc. But back it up, because if there is anything you wanna keep on that 3tb, and it dies, you'll be miffed. Just saying. As I had a 3tb die on me, but luckily I managed to retrieve that, only to lose another 2tb hdd a week later and I still have not looked at it to see if I can save anything.

So if your seagate is under 28 days old, wipe it with ccleaner or window washer (bleach it as in, a couple of 7 pass wipes) and then send it back and get something more reliable. Just saying from experience.