WTF SATA? RAID & A BBQ

NeonSpyderNeonSpyder "Das est NTLDR?" Join Date: 2003-07-03 Member: 17913Members
in Off-Topic
<div class="IPBDescription">Acronyms FTW!</div>Right, so I've got a tech problem and I beg for assistance from the hive-mind of techno-wizardry.

Basically every time I plug in my new SATA drive my computer locks up. If I plug it in and then boot, it takes about 10 minutes to get to the windows sign-in screen, periodically stopping and then starting to load windows along the way.

If I plug the drive in while in windows, the computer locks up. Unplugging the drive fixes the issue.

My questions is wtf?

The Sata HDD I currently have works fine

I have tried two different cables, I tried the three other SATA ports on the mother board. I can't figure out wtf is wrong with it.

Tech Specs:
Abit AX8 socket 939 motherboard
amd64 +3000 cpu
corsair DiMM DDR2 Ram x2 512mb
the current HDD is a seagate and the new one is western digital.

Windows XP pro SP2

I beg assistance, this has been screwing with me my entire sunday <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":(" border="0" alt="sad-fix.gif" />
Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome

Comments

  • TychoCelchuuuTychoCelchuuu Anememone Join Date: 2002-03-23 Member: 345Members
    Maybe the hard drive is bad.
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • NeonSpyderNeonSpyder &quot;Das est NTLDR?&quot; Join Date: 2003-07-03 Member: 17913Members
    To elaborate slightly, this is the second time I have had this issue with two different hard drives. I didn't deal with it the first time it happened and instead returned the HDD.

    I doubt it is the hard drive that is bad. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":(" border="0" alt="sad-fix.gif" />
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • XythXyth Avatar Join Date: 2003-11-04 Member: 22312Members
    edited September 2007
    Your current harddrive might be plugged into the RAID SATA ports, which could cause an issue when you put the new one in. Did you try booting up with a windows disk with only the new one plugged in?
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • NeonSpyderNeonSpyder &quot;Das est NTLDR?&quot; Join Date: 2003-07-03 Member: 17913Members
    The only SATA ports I can find are labeled SATA 1 through 4, with no mention of RAID anywhere written on the Mobo.

    Also, funny story, but I don't have a windows cd to use, as a matter of fact the main reason I need this second hard drive is to store my files while I format the first one for a Debian install. I suppose I could download the Debian install dvds, burn them, use them to format the new HDD in FAT or something so both OS's can read it, then move the files over and proceed with the format.

    Oh hey, wait, I've got a knoppix CD kicking around somewhere, that has some format functionality doesn't it?
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • XythXyth Avatar Join Date: 2003-11-04 Member: 22312Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1649960:date=Sep 16 2007, 11:28 PM:name=NeonSpyder)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(NeonSpyder @ Sep 16 2007, 11:28 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1649960"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->The only SATA ports I can find are labeled SATA 1 through 4, with no mention of RAID anywhere written on the Mobo.

    Also, funny story, but I don't have a windows cd to use, as a matter of fact the main reason I need this second hard drive is to store my files while I format the first one for a Debian install. I suppose I could download the Debian install dvds, burn them, use them to format the new HDD in FAT or something so both OS's can read it, then move the files over and proceed with the format.

    Oh hey, wait, I've got a knoppix CD kicking around somewhere, that has some format functionality doesn't it?<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Do you have your mobo manual? I'd check and make sure it doesn't want the plugs in a certain arrangement.

    If you have any way to format the harddrive without the other one being plugged in, I would definetly try that first though.
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • NeonSpyderNeonSpyder &quot;Das est NTLDR?&quot; Join Date: 2003-07-03 Member: 17913Members
    Wouldn't you know it, the port I have my current HDD plugged into (SATA 1) is apparently RAID. I'll turn off the computer, switch that to Sata 3 or 4 which are not RAID, then plug the second HDD in to SATA 4.

    Cross your fingers.

    (good advice about the manual)
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • NeonSpyderNeonSpyder &quot;Das est NTLDR?&quot; Join Date: 2003-07-03 Member: 17913Members
    Blast, that didn't solve the issue. Althought I must say, my hard drive seems to be responding a bit faster now. Damned that I've been using it already for a year in gimped mode. <img src="style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/mad-fix.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":angry:" border="0" alt="mad-fix.gif" />

    Next step: get knoppix CD, format new HDD.
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • Corporal_FortierCorporal_Fortier Join Date: 2005-03-22 Member: 46079Members, Constellation
    Did you check in the BIOS (pressing DEL or F8 or whatever key "to enter setup" at boot screen) to check if your hard drive was being correctly detected? There might be some settings in there that could help you, but I guess you've looked into that already have you?
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • GiGaBiTeGiGaBiTe Join Date: 2003-10-07 Member: 21489Members
    The hell, are you crazy? You should never plug / unplug a drive while the computer is running, it can cause all sorts of bad things to happen.

    But the likely issue why its taking 73 years to boot into Windows is because you don't have the correct drivers installed. Windows has default drivers for IDE and SATA controllers, but they are usually very slow (1-3 MB/s instead of 100-300 MB/s) and very buggy. Goto the MFG website and download the latest chipset / IDE drivers for your motherboard and it should fix the problem.
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • RuByRuBy Join Date: 2002-12-12 Member: 10732Members
    Perhaps your mobo doesn't support SATAII, so you may have to put a jumper on the back to make it compatible.
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • vmsvms Join Date: 2005-06-15 Member: 53927Members
    I had this problem too once, i think i fixed it by just formatting the drive that was acting up.
    Im pretty sure it isnt a driverissue because i know i had all the appropriate drivers and it was working just fine with good read/write speed's up untill one day.
    Ofc it could be different for you tho.
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • ThaldarinThaldarin Alonzi&#33; Join Date: 2003-07-15 Member: 18173Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1649990:date=Sep 17 2007, 09:50 AM:name=RuBy)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(RuBy @ Sep 17 2007, 09:50 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1649990"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Perhaps your mobo doesn't support SATAII, so you may have to put a jumper on the back to make it compatible.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    I'm betting this is his problem, after looking up the motherboard technical specifications I see the following

    'Storage Interfaces ATA-133 - connector(s): 3 x 40pin IDC, Serial ATA-150 - connector(s): 4 x 7pin Serial ATA'

    From what I understand SATAII is twice as fast as SATA-150 making that a 3.0GB/s (or there abouts) SATA-300... otherwise I've just piled through a load of crap to read lies.

    Full specification sheet for the motherboard if anyone else has any other ideas <a href="http://shopper.cnet.com/motherboards/abit-ax8-motherboard-atx/4014-3049_9-31243243.html?ar=o" target="_blank">ABIT AX8 Specifications</a>

    Have you got a link to the SATA drive you bought which isn't working correctly for you NeonSpyder? Maybe this could help clear up the problem.
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • FaskaliaFaskalia Wechsellichtzeichenanlage Join Date: 2004-09-12 Member: 31651Members, Constellation
    Ok, I might get flamed for this, but:

    Are you sure that you have only Sata HDDs plugged into your PC?

    Running IDE and Sata HDDs at the same time usually causes lockups or errors upon booting.
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • DrfuzzyDrfuzzy FEW... MORE.... INCHES... Join Date: 2003-09-21 Member: 21094Members
    take note: sata is really buggy and does cause random bull######
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • XythXyth Avatar Join Date: 2003-11-04 Member: 22312Members
    <!--quoteo(post=1650004:date=Sep 17 2007, 08:08 AM:name=Faskalia)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Faskalia @ Sep 17 2007, 08:08 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1650004"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Ok, I might get flamed for this, but:

    Are you sure that you have only Sata HDDs plugged into your PC?

    Running IDE and Sata HDDs at the same time usually causes lockups or errors upon booting.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    I have 2 IDE and 2 SATA drives in my fileserver at home with windows XP and it's never had a problem...
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • FaskaliaFaskalia Wechsellichtzeichenanlage Join Date: 2004-09-12 Member: 31651Members, Constellation
    <!--quoteo(post=1650015:date=Sep 17 2007, 03:36 PM:name=Xyth)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Xyth @ Sep 17 2007, 03:36 PM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1650015"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I have 2 IDE and 2 SATA drives in my fileserver at home with windows XP and it's never had a problem...<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Hmm, I what mobo/bios do you use?
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
  • GiGaBiTeGiGaBiTe Join Date: 2003-10-07 Member: 21489Members
    edited September 2007
    <!--quoteo(post=1649999:date=Sep 17 2007, 06:09 AM:name=Thaldarin)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Thaldarin @ Sep 17 2007, 06:09 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1649999"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->I'm betting this is his problem, after looking up the motherboard technical specifications I see the following

    'Storage Interfaces ATA-133 - connector(s): 3 x 40pin IDC, Serial ATA-150 - connector(s): 4 x 7pin Serial ATA'

    From what I understand SATAII is twice as fast as SATA-150 making that a 3.0GB/s (or there abouts) SATA-300... otherwise I've just piled through a load of crap to read lies.

    Full specification sheet for the motherboard if anyone else has any other ideas <a href="http://shopper.cnet.com/motherboards/abit-ax8-motherboard-atx/4014-3049_9-31243243.html?ar=o" target="_blank">ABIT AX8 Specifications</a>

    Have you got a link to the SATA drive you bought which isn't working correctly for you NeonSpyder? Maybe this could help clear up the problem.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    If you do the bits to bytes conversion, SATA II can do about 375 Mbytes/sec in bursts. the 3000 thing is just measured in gigabits (8 bits = 1 byte.) But 3 IDE connectors? Never seen that before in my 13 years of building custom machines.

    <!--quoteo(post=1650004:date=Sep 17 2007, 07:08 AM:name=Faskalia)--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Faskalia @ Sep 17 2007, 07:08 AM) <a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=1650004"><{POST_SNAPBACK}></a></div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Ok, I might get flamed for this, but:

    Are you sure that you have only Sata HDDs plugged into your PC?

    Running IDE and Sata HDDs at the same time usually causes lockups or errors upon booting.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    This might be true on trash budget boards from shady manufacturers, but I have had several machines with both IDE and SATA 150 and SATA II drives in them at the same time and had no issues whatsoever.
    Off Topic Disagree Agree Awesome
Sign In or Register to comment.