UEFI/GPT. Unable to get windows 2012 R2 to see 7TB partition.

paulphan1 · ‎03-01-2016

Hi All,

Can someone shed some light to my issue?

I installed windows 2012 R2 on a Csico C240 m3 with a Raid 10 of 6.8TB but windows only see 2.2TB.

I have tried to made some changes in the Bios but still unable to see all the 6.8TB Partitions.

BIOS Version:C240M3.2.0.9a.0 (Build Date: 11/30/2015)

Raid controller: LSI MegaRAID SAS 9271-8i (SLOT-4)

Wes Austin · ‎03-01-2016

This article may be of some assistance:

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2581408

It may be worth seeing if any other Windows OS has the same issue besides 2012, maybe Server 2008.

HTH,

Wes

paulphan1 · ‎03-02-2016

Hi Wesley,

Thank you for the quick response.

As far as to OS goes I believe windows 2012 R2 does support GPT disk.

I have recently configured a Del norte C240 m4 that have 2 raid controllers as follow:

Embedded Raid Controller = 480GB volume

2nd Raid Controller = 2.7TB volume

Once 2012 OS is installed on the 480GB volume, I went to Diskmgr and simply right click on the Disk one volume (2.7TB) and select "Convert disk to GPT". That is it.

So base on the ms document in your link, I extracted the part that I thought pertaining to my issue and pasted below.

I am thinking the only different between a non-bootable and a bootable is the line "

The disk must be initialized by using GPT. under "Overall requirements for a bootable system volume"

I was hoping there is an option I can enable in the system Bios.

have you seen this before?

The lines below are from MS documentation:

Overall requirements for a non-bootable data volume

For a system to be able to address the maximum capacity of a device that has a storage capacity of more than 2 TB, the following prerequisites apply:

The disk must be initialized by using GPT.
The Windows version must be one of the following (32-bit or 64-bit, unless otherwise noted, but including all SKU editions):
- Windows Server 2008 R2 (only 64 bit version available)
- Windows Server 2008
- Windows 7
- Windows Vista
The latest storage drivers from your storage controller manufacturer must be installed. For example, if your system uses an Intel storage controller that is set to “RAID” mode, make sure that you have the latest applicable drivers from the Intel support site.
Overall, you should contact your system vendor to determine whether the system supports device sizes of more than 2 TB

------------------------

Overall requirements for a bootable system volume

Assume that you want to meet the following conditions:

Have a storage device on which you can install Windows.
Make the storage device bootable.
Enable the operating system to address a maximum storage capacity for that device of greater than 2 TB.

To meet these conditions, the following prerequisites apply:

The disk must be initialized by using GPT.
The system firmware must use UEFI.
The Windows version must be one of the following (64-bit only, but including all SKU editions):
- Windows Server 2008 R2
- Windows Server 2008
- Windows 7
- Windows Vista
The latest storage drivers from your storage controller manufacturer must be installed. For example, if your system uses an Intel storage controller set to “RAID” mode, make sure that you have the latest applicable drivers from the Intel support site.

Note Windows does not support starting GPT-initialized volumes by using UEFI systems on 32-bit versions of Windows. Also, legacy BIOS systems do not support starting GPT-partitioned volumes. Consult your system vendor to determine whether the system supports both UEFI and the startup of devices that have storage capacities of greater than 2 TB.

paulphan1 · ‎03-02-2016

I did not see Kirk response before I sent mine.

first I just wanted to make a correct in my second response.

the line

I am thinking the only different between a non-bootable and a bootable is the line "

The disk must be initialized by using GPT should be
I am thinking the only different between a non-bootable and a bootable is the line "
- The system firmware must use UEFI.

Hi Kirk,

I have tried making changes in the Bios switching between Legacy and UEFI but it did not work for me using CIMC.

Do you have some step by step instruction? Thank you both

paulphan1 · ‎03-25-2016

I could not get windows 2012 to see the entire 7TB even with UEFI anable in Bios.

I ended up get it to work by created 2 virtual Drives 1=1tb, 2=5tb and bios was left as default.

Thank you bot Kirk and Wesley.

Kirk J · ‎03-01-2016

Anything over 2 TB will need to be partitioned as GPT. In order to boot to a GPT partition requires booting from UEFI instead of legacy bios mode.

The article Wes referenced lists the OS versions that support UEFI boot mode, which should include yours.

Make sure you have created a boot order that enables UEFI mode and try reinstalling windows 2012, which should let you allow you to create the GPT partition/format, and see the full drive.

Thanks,

Kirk...