HD question

[redvette]

Hi Gang

I have an older Pent 3 computer, that is slow but works ok. Now I tried installing a new HD a Maxtor Diamond Max 120G. No matter how I set up the Bios it keeps telling me the drive is ATAPI incompatible, but yet I can slip in an older drive and it boots up just fine. That would tell me the cables, etc are all ok.

How can I be more definite about the Maxtor drive being bad, or the MB not being compatible or some thing in the Bios not set right. I would hate to think a new drive is bad already.. The drive does run, but I cannot get the computer to recognize it.

Thanks and take care.......Gunny

[tempus]

it may be the motherboard is too old to recognize the hard d rive. one way is to try it in a newer computer to be sure. what motherboard is it?

[glc]

Is the older drive smaller or larger than 32gb? That's the most common bios limit on computers of that age. On the new Maxtor, put a jumper on the "CLJ" pins, is it then recognized as a 32gb drive with no errors?

[redvette]

Hi Tempus

Mother boards I am guessing on this one but it could be a PC 100, and the other one I tried it is is a ABIT AN7. I know they are both older but I thought new enough to work with this. What is your opinion.????

Thanks.............Gunny

[redvette]

GLC in answer to your question, those CLJ pins you are referring to would that be the same as cap limit.? It has DS master, Cs enabled, cap limit, and a J42 what ever that is.

Gunny

[tempus]

what's the exact model of your maxtor?

[glc]

Yes, it's cap limit. I don't know for sure but your AN7 should be able to handle a 120. You need to set it to master, slave, or cable select in addition to using the CLJ, this may require 2 jumpers depending on what model and which mode you choose. If you use an 80 wire cable you use cable select, with a 40 wire cable it has to be master or slave.

[redvette]

Hi Tempus

The exact # for the Maxtor is Diamond Max Plus 9 120GB ATA/133 HDD 3.5 series
TLA:6Y120P0032811 SN; Y36Z07QE MFG.Date 14Oct2005

Thanks..........Gunny

[clroberts]

I didn't see GLC Suggest this as I saw in another post, but you could just buy an IDE controller card and place it in your old computer. That way you can run the latest harddrives in your old computer because you'd be using the bios on the card rather than the motherboard. They don't cost that much either. I am sure someone will put up a link to a controller card soon..
I can't remember if you can run with the IDE controller enabled on the motherboard or if you have to disable it when you install the card..

[redvette]

Hi ciroberts

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it. I will do some research on them. That sounds like a good alternative.

Thanks and take care...........Gunny

[redvette]

Hi Gang

Well here are the pictures I have of the case, first one to tell me what the name of it is gets a prize.

Thamks and take care........Gunny

[Panama Red]

What makes you think it's an Antec case? I don't see an Antec logo anywhere.

[redvette]

Hi Panama

Well I don't know exactly, I was going by the power supply, in it is a Antec 300w. No names or anything any where on it. I looked it from top to bottom, no name no where. Any suggestions.???? Don't tell you brainy people on here don't know the name of this case, and who makes it. All of you have been excellent on giving me answers on here, you have a 100% record, am I going to have to lower that rating.???? The one picture looks like a Morris Minor car, head lights and all. Great looking case though.

Thanks...........Gunny

[glc]

That doesn't look like any Antec case I've ever seen.

[redvette]

Hi GLC

I am not 100% sure on it being a Antec case, like I said. If it don't look like a Antec what does it look like then. Remember there is a big prize for the correct answer.

Take care.............Gunny

[glc]

I don't have a clue.

What's the big prize - a sock drawer organization by your lovely wife?

[redvette]

Hi GLC

I hate to say this but you sure are disappointing me. Of all people, I thought you would be the one to get it. After giving me that Spanish information on the keyboard, I just knew it, you would know that case like it was yours. I don't know what to think of this, I probably will loose sleep tonight over this. Boy I sure hope the big shots on here don't see this, might mean a demotion for old GLC. And have some of his posts taken away from him.

You don't worry about that old sock drawer, you have more to worry about now. The prize well you will never know what it is now. You missed the chance of a lifetime.

Thanks and take care..............Gunny

[glc]

But - but - but - but - I can't find any pictures with Google that look like that!

[redvette]

No buts about it GLC, I just don't know what to say right now, I am speechless, and that is something for me to be, it don't happen that often. It is 6:30 am and I am speechless. You and Google, both let me down.

Thanks and take care..............Gunny

[Panama Red]

We have a winner!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16811164040

[redvette]

Hi Panama

Atta boy, I knew you could do it. You beat out GLC, boy I bet he is really bummed out about this.

That is hard to believe they are selling that case for $26. This is a really nice case. This one I have, has a 380W power supply with 2 fans, a front fan and a back fan and one on the side. And a squirrel cage blower on the CPU. All this stuff was added to the case. So I think I made out ok.

Panama too bad you live so far away, I would treat you to a lunch of your choice. I was just looking you have more posts on here then GLC, and I thought he had a lot. Do you have a reg job beside PCmech. If so you must not have much home life. How did you find this, just by accident, or through a search. I looked at several sites like Antec and ATX and I could not find it. Well you better look under the Christmas tree real good this year there just might be a surprise for you there. You have done your good deed this year.

Thanks and take care.....Gunny

[Panama Red]

As Admin, glc has the capability to change his post count. He's adjusted his downward a couple of times in the last few months. I think it's because post count is meaningless to him. He just like to help folks - as do I.

I do have a real job but I'm in sales and often get to be at home in my office here. That allows me to keep an eye on the Mech as I'm doing other things too.

I tried several sites and google searches looking for your case. Finally, I decided to try using the search function at Newegg and narrowed the parameters based on what I knew about your case. Couldn't believe it when the first item in the search was yours! If I ever get to Calif again I'll look you up. Cheers!

[redvette]

Hi Panama

You do that. I will tell you what, the help you all have given me on here, I could not begin to repay you for it. It is priceless, trust me. I have helped people all my life, how to fix things, etc, so I know how it feels to help some one this way. I did it like you said because I like helping people and passing on any information I know. It gives you that warm feeling, that nothing else can duplicate. What are we on this planet for anyway.? We are all here to share, what we have, be it knowledge, money, food, etc. What good is knowledge if you don't do some thing with it. And what better way then to pass it on, and share it with people.

Any of you guys if you happen to get out this San Jose way, look me up, and I will treat you to what ever meal you prefer. I will be getting the cheap end of this deal, few meals are as priceless as what you have given/helped me with on this site. My hat is off to you all.

Now if some one knows of a good site or place that has computer case parts for sale let me know. I am going to try and fix up this $26 case. I need a few plastic parts and the push to start switch I will try and find at my local electronics store.

Thanks and take care..........Gunny

[glc]

If that case has a reset switch, you can just use that - swap over the lead. Linkworld just doesn't look like a company that would offer replacement parts. There is a contact on their website for their US office.

[redvette]

I found the American site, in Brea Ca. I agree it did not look like a site where you could get parts, let alone a e-mail back to my question, I e-mailed them any way. So I will see what happens.

Good suggestion about switching the leads on the switches. I might do that but first I will try my electronics store, and see if they can come close. The switch might work a half dozen times then it will not work. Those little micro switches don't usually do that.

This computer is stuck in safe mode startup it seems. I have yet to figure out this problem.

Thanks and take care...........Gunny

[redvette]

Well I e-mailed them and guess what they are going to send the parts to me free, how about that. They contacted me this morning and asked me what parts I needed, I told them and they offered to send them to me free, all I have to do is pay the postage. Now that is what I call customer service. I guess you just have to live right. This sort of makes up for the problem I had with Justdeals.

Now I know I have been a good boy all year, this is proof.

Thanks and take care...........Gunny

[redvette]

Hi gang

Got a surprise today, instead of sending me the parts they sent me the whole front for the computer. Having all and more parts then I was inquiring for to begin with. Now how is that for service. I guess it was easier sending the whole thing rather then the separate parts.

There are still some Co's out there that know what customer service is all about. Just like the people that support and make up PCmech forums.

Thanks and take care, and Happy Holidays.........Gunny