Cool!
I have a PC here, which I was reserving to install Ubuntu on. I might as well do it now. smile (well, tonight or tomorrow I mean; I'm currently at work)

I'll install Ubuntu onto this system and follow your advise. I'll then get back and report about it here.

Question though: do I need to enter all commands exactly as you typed them here?
eg:
hdparm -N /dev/sdb <enter?>
/dev/sdb:<enter?>
max sectors = 65134/1953525168, HPA is enabled <enter?>

hdparm -Np1953525168 /dev/sdb <enter?>
/dev/sdb:<enter?>
max sectors = 1953525168/1953525168, HPA is disabled <enter?>


Thanks a lot Mark, you're a lifesaver!

hav you got any idea how this happened? Is Acronis the culprit here (if they are, I'm going to write them a hefty email!), or is it due to the fact that I did the cloning via two USB enclosures? (which, IMO, also should be covered by Acronis, or otherwise they should simply not offer the option of cloning disks like that)

Also I'm curious: what's this Host Protected Area?
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Riocar 80gig S/N : 010101580 red
Riocar 80gig (010102106) - backup