Odd HD problem

[Tech-X]

I just got a 20GB Quantum Fireball hard drive to install in a development server.

The computer is consumer grade, currently with a Seagate 20GB master and a 5GB storage slave.

We switched out the 5GB drive (after formatting it and removing the Linux partitions on it) and put in the new 20GB.

The new HD shows up in BIOS and everything, but it's HORRIBLY slow. It literally takes 3-4 minutes to get through the standard bootup process, and starting a FDISK partition on it is just out of the question. It literally sits on 0% integrity for 10 minutes.

It needs FDISK'd and formatted obviously, as Linux RedHat install returns multiple Read timeouts on hdb (secondary HD) when trying to access the drive. This shows that it at least is being recognized.

Could this be a problem with the IDE channels or something? The old 5GB slave works fine, the jumpers are fine on the new drive and everything. I have a feeling that something is messed up internally.

[Floppyman]

Make sure DMA is enabled for slave. The old 5 gig might have been configured manually in the Bios setup when it was installed and those settings might have stuck when you installed the new 20gig. Doublecheck to make sure the settings are all correct. I would assume the settings are similar (if not better-- depends on the drive specs) than the Seagate 20 gig drive. You could also try switching IDE cables. Also what are the system specs you are installed this drive on? Let me know what you can come up with and hope this helps.

[glc]

Quantums and Seagates don't get along well with each other as master/slave at ALL - I learned this years ago. Put them on separate IDE channels. If it's still bad, run Powermax, the Quantum may be defective.

[Tech-X]

How extra do I put them on seperate IDE channels?
I switched over to 100% RedHat also, so if its an OS specific thing, tell me in *nix :)

And, if that fails, Powermax?

[glc]

Leave the main Seagate drive on the primary IDE controller where it is now, and put the Quantum on the secondary IDE controller.

Powermax is Maxtor's diagnostic tool, you can download it at Maxtor's website. Maxtor bought out Quantum.