AV8, SATA, Seagate & (!) XP

[goldgunner]

I know this topic has been around for quite some time. The discussions and advice have help me perform what I detail below, but...

Mine is a new build: Seagate Sata and AV8 Deluxe, and XP Pro

I've read more problem boards on this issue over the last several days...

SATA: single HD (No Raid)
I have updated BIOS and updated SATA drivers.
I have reset CMOS.
I have On Board Sata Bootrom enabled.
I have Promise Controller Enabled, with IDE (Not Raid).
SATA HD is recognized on boot up (Not listed in EIDEs)
Boot sequence: used 'em all as necessary to load BIOS update (floppy), XP (CD) and SATA drivers.
[Have also tried with Promise Controller Disabled - same result']

Error messages, depending on how I set up above:
"No Drive attached to fastrac controller. The Bios is not installed"
"Bios is not installed"
and Windows can not find a HD to load to...


My goal is to use/install just one sata HD and XP:

I've made the floppys with both the updated raid and ata drivers, and loaded 'as required'.
Loaded them seperately, and together: all with same results - XP still can't find the hard drive.

I've attempted this with the sata HD plugged into Sata 1, 2 and 3 - same result.

I've done all the above with the Bios 'Promise' set to disable, and enable - both with IDE and Raid - same result.

I sucessfully updated the Bios before attempting all the above.

I've reset the CMOS and done all the above, again.

Power supply is 380: seems to be plenty...

Thoughts?

(I can certainly detail all of my specifications. For now, only the essentials are connected.)

[antgross@pacbell.net]

Originally Posted by goldgunner I know this topic has been around for quite some time. The discussions and advice have help me perform what I detail below, but... Mine is a new build: Seagate Sata and AV8 Deluxe, and XP Pro I've read more problem boards on this issue over the last several days... SATA: single HD (No Raid) I have updated BIOS and updated SATA drivers. I have reset CMOS. I have On Board Sata Bootrom enabled. I have Promise Controller Enabled, with IDE (Not Raid). SATA HD is recognized on boot up (Not listed in EIDEs) Boot sequence: used 'em all as necessary to load BIOS update (floppy), XP (CD) and SATA drivers. [Have also tried with Promise Controller Disabled - same result'] Error messages, depending on how I set up above: "No Drive attached to fastrac controller. The Bios is not installed" "Bios is not installed" and Windows can not find a HD to load to... My goal is to use/install just one sata HD and XP: I've made the floppys with both the updated raid and ata drivers, and loaded 'as required'. Loaded them seperately, and together: all with same results - XP still can't find the hard drive. I've attempted this with the sata HD plugged into Sata 1, 2 and 3 - same result. I've done all the above with the Bios 'Promise' set to disable, and enable - both with IDE and Raid - same result. I sucessfully updated the Bios before attempting all the above. I've reset the CMOS and done all the above, again. Power supply is 380: seems to be plenty... Thoughts? (I can certainly detail all of my specifications. For now, only the essentials are connected.)

There a few ways to solve your problem. Basically though they all boil down to this: you need to put the drivers for your SATA device on a floppy and hit F6 when prompted by the windows XP installation. Depending on where you connect the SATA device on the MOBO, you will use either the Promise drivers or VIA drivers. Your mobo should have come with a CD that will contain the drivers. The CD will have executable file that enables you to create floppy with correct drivers.

You have the same MOBO as me, and I did this a few months ago. I can't look for the previous posts right now, but if you search for previous threads by me, you will see links to the VIA website where you can get the drivers that you will have to put on the floppy (if you decide to use the VIA portion of the mobo, eg.). You will have to google the Promise driver location since I don't know it if you choose to go that route.

You can try using the CD for the MOBO first, but usually the drivers on the internet are new and more reliable than whats on the CD.

Don't be surprised if you don't get this (installation) the first time. It's a pain to install SATA drives with new windows setup.

good luck.

Update: I guess I didnt read your post carefully enough. I guess you tried some of these things already. I would try using the VIA part of the MOBO and get the drivers from their website.

[goldgunner]

Yesterday evening I found the solution! Via drivers! NOT Asus drivers!
Here's step by step from Saphirex: http://forums.viaarena.com/messagevi...&enterthread=y

[goldgunner]

Argggh...I posted the wrong link for the 'step by step'.


Link to drivers I used: http://www.viaarena.com/downloads/dr...RAID_V310E.zip

Link to solution: http://forums.viaarena.com/messagevi...&enterthread=y

[Moose on the Loose]

A8V boards have some trouble with SATA drives. I had the same problem, but apart from that, you got yourself a really nice and stable board