I have had to re-install an old motherboard and original BIOS. The search for a BIOS update goes on. Anyhoo, does anybody know how adding a limmit jumper to an 80GB HDD with 35 MB of stored data will affect the stored data?

It should not affect the data at all... Linux is able to access entire disks, even those clipped with the limit jumper. You would only not be able to boot the disk if the /boot partition extends past the limited area (or 1024 cylinders, depending on BIOS).

Thanks The un-updatable bios and need to use limited 80 MB HDD was the last of four problems and the first solved.

1. An internal modem stopped responding to anything but one 2.5 GB HDD running Win ME installed TWO YEARS AGO. The choice of OS says it all.

2. Venders of antivirus and firewalls requiring newer OS. Soon I suspect that ISPs will require unpublished browser using the latest two Win operating systems. I am slowly transitioning to Fedora Core 6. I got the modem and Firefox running tonight. I am now shopping for Linux compatable antivirus.

3. I purchased a used US Robotics external 56k fax modem less cable. For some reason I could not change serial modem cable from old Radio Shack to IBM null configuration to standard serial 9pin/25pin configuration. The existing modem probably a winmodem is now junked.

4. I am starting to remember why the motherboard was swapped out in the first place.

Hugh