"Method of file xfer etc. is up to you."
Once you get the Operating System, (W2K, ME, XP) booted to Desktop there are several different ways to read, transfer, manipulate your files.

Wasn't sure what exactly you wanted to do.
If you can make a valid hardware connection then the BIOS on the mobo or a adapter such as or similar to a RAID will provide hardware support.
The OS...

You didn't note as to laptop or desktop to begin with?

Yea, you could but why?
Depends on BIOS capability.

There are a lot more features on HDs that weren't there as little as 7-8 years ago. S.M.A.R.T. is only one of them. If the onboard circuitry isn't up to snuff, naturally it becomes lame one way or...

>>>accumulation of vast amounts of data
Considered highly unlikely, like, some w/in the range of impossibility.
>>>Partition Magic
A mistake with a hidden purpose. Had you used FDISK, as I...

Failing partion. Doesn't look good, maybe time to contact mfg. The curious part is that the HD works fine, or so you said, under another OS.
If the partion had took your files would already be...

>>>in Disk Management the drive is "Disk 1"
in older ver. of this OS HDs were given the first drive (folder) designations C, D, E, etc. and optical (CD) drives were given the last ones as they were...

>>>does Windows XP Pro SP2 have the ability to support these kinds of sizes
Actually I don't recall myself if it does or not, but it COULD very well be a valid issue. Would have to extensively us...

To what end?
Did you, by chance, check the OS's ability to mount that size disk?

(U posted about the same time I did.)

>>>reinstalling Windows doesn't really reveal anything about the problem

Repair installs usually DON'T work because the install puts on the original system files, drivers, etc. that DO NOT work...

>>>a Windows issue: if a vir. was involved a system repair may or may not work as unknown damage to other files may/may not exist and could become time consuming. If the HD is basically sound and...

this was picked up at another site, it may help.

Disable NCQ on the NVIDIA nForce4 controller

In my case I never had to go past step one. Once I disabled Native Command Queuing and rebooted the...

The prob. with external devices of any type is that the connections cables tend to lose their connection, even if you are positive that the cable is is place it may not be, i.e. lack of continuity. ...

Do you have another machine to try the new HD in?

Do you have another machine to try the new HD in?
I know it seems unlikely but I've had some bad drives right out of the box myself.

Did you try replacing the ribbon cable?