New SATA Drive problems

[arthur666]

Hello all,
I just installed a Seagate 250GB SATAII drive in my computer w/ 1 IDE DVD drive. After installing windows, updating, installing latest SATA drivers for my motherboard, I'm having problems starting windows. The system is getting hung-up in the windows start screen, the black one w/ logo and scrolling bar. Hard drive light is on almost constantly. If I hit the physical restart button, system comes back to "windows failed to start... do you want safe mode? blah blah blah" screen. I select "start windows normally", and things load normally and computer works w/ no problems. If I restart computer thru windows (from shutdown screen), things start normally. Any ideas would be welcome. I have already changed every IDE and SATA setting in the bios, and it doesn't help w/ the problem. I also think it might be an issue with my PSU being maxed out. Do SATA drives pull noticably more juice than IDE?

[pam123]

First, have you double checked cables and connections ?

About the power supply itself; yes it's possible and it has to do with your power supply's rails.

Check this post : http://forums.pcper.com/showthread.php?t=342399

We could use some information on the power supply, ATX 2.0(?), and you could check on power in the bios.

[arthur666]

Originally Posted by pam123 First, have you double checked cables and connections ? About the power supply itself; yes it's possible and it has to do with your power supply's rails. We could use some information on the power supply, ATX 2.0(?), and you could check on power in the bios.

I have double checked all connections, even tried using diferent cables. I don't really know too much about the PSU other than it is an older FSP 400W with 20 pin main connector, and I needed an adapter to connect it to my video card. I'll open up the case and get more info when I'm home tonite.
Also, by rails, do you mean any connectors, or is that a specific one?

Question: I know that some IDE cables are specificlly ATA33 or ATA100 etc... Can SATA cables be different bandwiths (like SATA and SATAII) as well? My new HDD was OEM, and I'm just using SATA cables that came with my MoBo. Sorry I didn't mention that in original post. I just remembered :P

[glc]

Is that an AGP or PCI-E video card? If it's PCI-E, you are running out of power with an old 20 pin PSU, not enough +12v.

[pam123]

That 20 pin main connector is a give away.
You need a new power supply.
FSP does a good job, which is probably why you're rig is still starting, but the new SATA drive likely pushed things over the edge.

[arthur666]

Originally Posted by pam123 FSP does a good job, which is probably why you're rig is still starting...

...and is why I'll be giving them my business a second time. I'll try and figure out which PSU will be a good upgrade with some of my future plans in mind. Thanks for the help.

[glc]

These days, I think the highest quality power supplies are made by Seasonic. Examples are any of the Corsair units and Antec Earthwatts. FSP is very good but these are better.

[arthur666]

Originally Posted by glc These days, I think the highest quality power supplies are made by Seasonic. Examples are any of the Corsair units and Antec Earthwatts. FSP is very good but these are better.

I'll check those brands out as well.