Getting there - one last problem (I hope) with new build

[Amanensia]

Hi,

I've been having problems getting this particular new build up and running but now I have it assembled (out of the case at the moment) and as far as I can tell everything is working. However, I can't seem to install the OS. I have the motherboard boot sequence set with the DVD drive as the first priority and the Vista installation disc in there ready. The hard drive appears to be working fine and is being picked up by the IDE controller, but I get the message "Reboot and select proper boot device or insert boot media in selected boot device and press a key".

What am I missing? I've had a good look through the BIOS options and I can't see anywhere to explicitly enable "boot from CD" or similar, apart from just setting the optical drive to being top priority.

Kit:

Asus P5E3 deluxe
Sony CRX320E DVD RW
Antec Quattro 850
Intel Q6700
Corsair RAM
EVGA GeForce 8800GTX

I'm sure I'm missing something obvious!

[GodofCats]

Hmmm, that's a pickle. There SHOULD be an option to hit a key (such as F9 or F11) to enter boot options. For my motherboard it is F9. I hit F9 at startup and it loads a boot sequence menu that isn't in the BIOS itself. But I know all mobos don't have that option... Did your mobo come with a manual? Also, the only other thing I can ask is when does the error occur? Right after POST or?

[Amanensia]

I think I've solved it. I've used a SATA DVD drive from another PC instead of the IDE one I was using, and everything is fine. So, I am guessing the IDE controller on the motherboard is broken. Not ideal, but I don't really care, there are plenty of SATA controllers, and at least I've finally got a working PC, currently installing Vista.

It's been a frustrating build. I'm not hugely experienced, but I've made 5 or 6 new builds before with no real problems. This one has taken about as long to sort out as the others all put together!

[Cricket]

The newer Intel chipsets don't have native support for IDE devices, they put a third party IDE controller on the motherboard for that. The problem is you have to install the third party driver before you can use the that IDE controller or the device connected to that controller won't be recognized by the computer and won't work. You install the third party driver from a floppy disk prior to OS installation.

This is why we recommend using all SATA drives (HDDs and opticals) in new builds.

Cricket

[Amanensia]

Bah, I see! Seems a bit silly not to pre-install the drivers for the IDE controller (even if it is third-party) as that rather forces you to install a floppy drive. I don't even own a floppy drive!

Ah well, all working now - thanks for the information.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Amanensia Seems a bit silly not to pre-install the drivers for the IDE controller

They did several generations ago when IDE devices were the standard. Since IDE is slowly being phased out in favor of SATA devices, support for IDE devices is slowly fading away.

Originally Posted by Amanensia I don't even own a floppy drive!

Although the floppy drive is pretty archaic it's not a bad idea to have at least one in your spare parts box...just in case. I don't install floppy drives in the computer I build now but I do have many spares lying around and will take one with me when I have to work on a computer that I know doesn't have a floppy drive.

Cricket

[Amanensia]

I presume they do still build in floppy support then!