How big is your hard drive?

SpaceManSpiff · 09-22-2003, 11:08 PM

Friday 19th September 2003

Computer makers sued over 'deceptive' hard drive sizes
[PC Pro] 10:55

Four Los Angeles residents are suing the world's leading computer manufacturers, alleging that they mislead customers when advertising the size of their hard drives.
Reuters reports that the lawsuit focuses on the fact that although computers write data in the binary system drive sizes are described using decimal.

Consequently, a hard drive advertised as 20GB provides just 18.6GB of usable space. As drives get bigger so does the disparity; at 150GB the difference is up to 10GB.

Apple, Dell, Gateway, HP, IBM, Sharp, Sony, Toshiba are all targeted and the plaintiffs are seeking an injunction to prevent this 'deceptive' practice in future, compensation and 'disgorgement' of past profits resulting from this practice.

The plaintiffs are also seeking class-action status for the suit, which, if granted, would allow other digruntled disk owners to join.

Simon Aughton

Aww, so thats why my maxtor 40GB HD has only 38.2 GB. I want my 1.8 GB!!!!!!

Reality · 09-23-2003, 12:10 AM

I say good. You should get what you paid for.

Alucard · 09-23-2003, 12:27 AM

Stinkin thieves! Although it was common knowledge the harddrives were never as big as they should be. Surprising it took this long for someone to get around to doing something about it.

Mishi · 09-23-2003, 01:30 AM

the thing is that space is there its just used to manage.

this is one of those stupid cases. but yeah they should display Usable storage on the box's;)

...when you start making money someone is going to sue you.
-that ones free.

sin75 · 09-23-2003, 05:56 AM

I thought hard disks stores extra information inaccessable by consumers, it's only accessible by authorites to investigate crimes from criminals using computers. I think I read it from the newspaper a while ago... that 2.8gig space is missing from a 40gig hard disk because it is used to store info about your PC and what you do with it.

SpaceManSpiff · 09-23-2003, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by sin75
I thought hard disks stores extra information inaccessable by consumers, it's only accessible by authorites to investigate crimes from criminals using computers. I think I read it from the newspaper a while ago... that 2.8gig space is missing from a 40gig hard disk because it is used to store info about your PC and what you do with it.

If that were true, then there would be some major lawsuits.

Rubeus · 09-23-2003, 01:59 PM

You can reclaim all the missing space on the hard drive if you create multiple partitions on it, i.e., create at least two drives C: and D: .

Kid0_oIcarus · 09-23-2003, 04:24 PM

Shh! DOn't be stealing all that space from the authorities now!

Alucard · 09-23-2003, 09:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rubeus
You can reclaim all the missing space on the hard drive if you create multiple partitions on it, i.e., create at least two drives C: and D: .

Always best to partition the drive.

Magnus · 09-23-2003, 11:58 PM

I checked my HDD the other day and Im not missing any space. Stupid Bastards consider GB a 1000MB.
Grrrrr

An on Partitions, how come whenever I format my drive I cannot seem to access 4 mb. The drive wont let me touch it. I cant seem to work out what exactly it is used for. Anyone know?

Rubeus · 09-24-2003, 12:53 AM

Quote:

An on Partitions, how come whenever I format my drive I cannot seem to access 4 mb. The drive wont let me touch it. I cant seem to work out what exactly it is used for. Anyone know?

Some computers reserve some hard drive space for the Stand By mode, especially laptops.

09-22-2003, 11:08 PM	#1
SpaceManSpiff Spiff to the Rescue!! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 3,630	How big is your hard drive? Friday 19th September 2003 Computer makers sued over 'deceptive' hard drive sizes [PC Pro] 10:55 Four Los Angeles residents are suing the world's leading computer manufacturers, alleging that they mislead customers when advertising the size of their hard drives. Reuters reports that the lawsuit focuses on the fact that although computers write data in the binary system drive sizes are described using decimal. Consequently, a hard drive advertised as 20GB provides just 18.6GB of usable space. As drives get bigger so does the disparity; at 150GB the difference is up to 10GB. Apple, Dell, Gateway, HP, IBM, Sharp, Sony, Toshiba are all targeted and the plaintiffs are seeking an injunction to prevent this 'deceptive' practice in future, compensation and 'disgorgement' of past profits resulting from this practice. The plaintiffs are also seeking class-action status for the suit, which, if granted, would allow other digruntled disk owners to join. Simon Aughton Aww, so thats why my maxtor 40GB HD has only 38.2 GB. I want my 1.8 GB!!!!!! __________________ Steam, Xbox Live, PSN, and Apple Gamecenter: xSpacemanspiff Currently Playing: LOTR: War in the North, Dark Souls, Resident Evil 5, Crysis 2.

09-23-2003, 12:10 AM	#2
Reality Sin and Punishment Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 14,153	I say good. You should get what you paid for. __________________ Outpostnine is that 1%.

09-23-2003, 01:30 AM	#4
Mishi Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: USA Posts: 320	the thing is that space is there its just used to manage. this is one of those stupid cases. but yeah they should display Usable storage on the box's;) ...when you start making money someone is going to sue you. -that ones free. __________________ ><V

09-23-2003, 04:24 PM	#8
Kid0_oIcarus wha-? Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: T4mp4, Fl0r1d4 Posts: 2,816	Shh! DOn't be stealing all that space from the authorities now! __________________ I took a class in it. ('.' >)

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09-23-2003, 12:27 AM	#3
Alucard Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Australia Posts: 32,641	Stinkin thieves! Although it was common knowledge the harddrives were never as big as they should be. Surprising it took this long for someone to get around to doing something about it.

09-23-2003, 05:56 AM	#5
sin75 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 275	I thought hard disks stores extra information inaccessable by consumers, it's only accessible by authorites to investigate crimes from criminals using computers. I think I read it from the newspaper a while ago... that 2.8gig space is missing from a 40gig hard disk because it is used to store info about your PC and what you do with it.

09-23-2003, 01:59 PM	#7
Rubeus Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 3,544	You can reclaim all the missing space on the hard drive if you create multiple partitions on it, i.e., create at least two drives C: and D: .

09-23-2003, 11:58 PM	#10
Magnus The world's stopping but we keep going Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Australia Posts: 2,358	I checked my HDD the other day and Im not missing any space. Stupid Bastards consider GB a 1000MB. Grrrrr An on Partitions, how come whenever I format my drive I cannot seem to access 4 mb. The drive wont let me touch it. I cant seem to work out what exactly it is used for. Anyone know?