Advanced Format Hard Drives – The “Low-Down” (Summary of Resources)
The new advanced format drives are coming and there has been a lot of confusion on what steps are needed to support them. I’m going to try and present the information available in the simplest way possible. I will also update the resources on the bottom of the post as new information is presented or relayed to me.
Hope it helps.
WinPE
WinPE 3.0: Apply 982018
WinPE 3.1: Support already present
Windows
Windows 7 RTM: Apply 982018
Windows 7 SP1: Not required, but recommended to apply 982018, it’s a “recommended” update via Windows Update.
Resources:
KB982018 Windows PE/Windows 7 hotfix
KB2510009 Information about Microsoft support policy for large sector drives in Windows (XP is NOT supported)
The Dell guys have done a really nice job of putting together a bunch of really good information. Be sure to check out this link, they are adding new content as it's available! Deploying Dell systems with Advanced Format Hard Drives
Xtreme Consulting: New Tool: Advanced Format Drives
Dell TechCenter: Are you ready for Advanced Format (AF) Hard Drives?
Michael Niehaus: MDT 2012 Beta 1: UEFI Support
HP - Preparing Advanced Format hard drives for Microsoft Windows installations on HP Business Notebook PCs and Desktop PCs
Phil Schwan: Quickly Update WinPE 3.0 Boot Images to support AFHD (script)
Chris Nackers: Automatically Patching WinPE 3.0 with MDT 2010