Install Intel 815EP chipset drivers--HDD stuck in PIO mode

[Jenni]

I just got an Abit ST6 MB, and haven't had any problems with it, except that when I try to install any chipset drivers, other than the w2k default drivers, my HDD gets stuck in PIO mode. Nothing fixes this except removing the IDE controller and letting w2k reinstall its default drivers. Also, when the HDD is in PIO mode, my sound gets staticky. My brother says if I reformat and install the chipset drivers first, rather than after I have installed other stuff, they will work. But I reall don't want to have to reformat, it takes forever with the 100GB HDD I have. The only reason I have for wanting better chipset drivers is that Sandra benchmarks my HDD at 17376, or right around what a ATA66 drive should get, and this is a ATA100 drive on an ATA100 board. The drive should be getting at least 21000. Opinions? Reformat and install the chipset drivers first, or just live with so-so HDD numbers?

[nightfishing]

What I would do:

Create a partition for a new 2k install, leaving your current one alone.

During the install press F6 and install the HD controller drivers (like you would for a SCSI/RAID).

See if it continues thru the process and boots.

Benchmark it and see if the numbers improve; if they don't you can save yourself the hassle of starting over.

Also, Sandra, while great for other things, isn't very useful for HD scores. Try ATTO Disk Benchmark, instead.

And, finally, if I was running a 100g (I only have a PUNY 80g RAID array), I would keep 2k on a nice, tidy 3g partition. It sure makes formatting a lot quicker.