Now, what am I going to do with all that drive space?

Dual boot Linux.

 

GREAT! Now, what is it? Tell me about it. How does it work? Is it like windows? Does it operate windows files? I have a Hantek digital oscilloscope that connects to the computer. Will it run my scope?

Linux is an open source version of Unix that's been around for about 3 decades. Should be some history here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linus_Torvalds

There are emulators that will allow "Windows programs" to run on Linux.

 

I've used these drives there easy fixed . You just have to reformat them
Like Joey said linux is one way.

Windows Xp has tools to part a disk Them DVR format are most times ext3 or 4 and windows doesn't see them.

 

You can get the tools from the disks manufacturers some times I wish I could remember the name there is a tool for windows
that lets it read any disks and fix partition magic may even work for you.

 

Thanks for all the info. This is a computer that I do not have connected to the web. It has no security and I presently don't see any need for it. It's a storage center for different things like music, photos and electronic projects. I do some Excel work with it, but Excel makes and keeps me dumb. Once I figure out a formula I put it in Excel and then forget how to run it. All I know is how to input the variables like resistances and capacitances and such. So I'm a dummy. Pretty smart dummy but still just a dummy. I've hated math. Always hate it. Even when I make an effort to understand something my brain resists storing that data. Funny though. I know how to calculate the boiling point of water at a given altitude, or how to calculate the diameter of a tire. Dunno why though.

Maybe I can download Linux to my iMac and then put it on a thumb drive and transfer it to my Windows. Then install it from there. What'cha'll think?

 

Maybe I can download Linux to my iMac and then put it on a thumb drive and transfer it to my Windows. Then install it from there. What'cha'll think?

OS X is Linux based.

 

OS X is Linux based.

Nope. BSD Unix.

 

Thanks for all the info. This is a computer that I do not have connected to the web. It has no security and I presently don't see any need for it. It's a storage center for different things like music, photos and electronic projects. I do some Excel work with it, but Excel makes and keeps me dumb. Once I figure out a formula I put it in Excel and then forget how to run it. All I know is how to input the variables like resistances and capacitances and such. So I'm a dummy. Pretty smart dummy but still just a dummy. I've hated math. Always hate it. Even when I make an effort to understand something my brain resists storing that data. Funny though. I know how to calculate the boiling point of water at a given altitude, or how to calculate the diameter of a tire. Dunno why though.

Maybe I can download Linux to my iMac and then put it on a thumb drive and transfer it to my Windows. Then install it from there. What'cha'll think?

Linux has many different distros as they are called.
I used a version called DSL or Damm Small Linux for my old laptop.
I set up a home server using Ubuntu Server which is a version of Linux.
You can put Linux on a flash drive or CD that you can boot the computer from or simply install it to your computer. You can have windows and Linux installed to the same machine as a dual boot system.

 

When searching the web I DID see a bunch of different Linux programs. I call them programs because I'm not sure what to call them, but I saw (from memory) an anti-virus and a couple more options. What would be the best option for my situation? Remember, this computer is basically a storage device and an operating platform for my Hancook O-Scope. No internet. No need, no desire to go on the net with it; primarily because XP is known to have vulnerabilities. Aside from that I actually like the XP operating system.

 

Aside from that I actually like the XP operating system.

Just keep doing what you're doing. Some members like to yank peoples' chains by posting irrelevant information.

 

@Rahulk70 Getting there. I've found the drive. It's partitioned into 3 parts. How do I remove the partitions? Nevermind how to get rid of partitions. Figured that out. Still can't format it. The drive, though located, is unidentified. The other drives are listed as drive C & F. (D & E are disk drives) Don't ask me why, that's the way it is.

There IS a drive A mounted in the cabinet but it is not hooked up. I wouldn't care what the SATA drive is designated, I just want to format it. It's a 500 Gig drive. The other two are 250 Gig (F) and 40 Gig (C).

Hi Tony,
Sorry for the late reply. Was away from the internet for a few days. Since, you mentioned that the partition is visible yet you are unable to access it means the drive isn't "mounted and labelled". It's just a free space. Right click the free space>New simple volume and keep pressing"Next" and till you finish. Now a partition should appear in the windows explorer. Good Luck!

 

Thanks @Rahulk70. Got my problems sorted out.

 

Thanks @Rahulk70. Got my problems sorted out.

Glad to hear you were able to sort it out!

 

I run XP for a variety of older programs. What you’ll find is that XP doesn’t have native sata support. Check your machine’s website for bios loads for specific sata drive types. I use Dell, and they only support a couple of different drives for XP. I got a really good deal on a stack of Maxtor sata drives, but there not supported, so they went into Win 10 machines.