This isnt a question as such- more an answer :P I just want to add this to the database so maybe i can save some person from going through the troubles i had. Trying to partition my 250GB hard drive with the windows xp startup disks was hell. it wouldnt recognise the drive as being greater than 130gb. This was a limitation of my bios- it wouldnt support anything above this. The only way to get the pc recognising it's full potential is to install service pack 2. Partition the disk using about 120GB (or anything under the 130GB mark) and install windows as normal. Download the service pack 2 upgrade and your computer will see the rest of the unpartitioned space. You can then partition this by going into Control panel, administrative tools, computer management, diskmanagement. I wasted my whole weekend figuring this out because of the lack of information on the net (maybe i was looking in the wrong places).

Now to make it a question so it doesnt get removed... Who finds this interesting?