BIOS won't recognize hard drives

[shomaker]

I just built a computer but the bios doesn't list the hard drives. The curious part is that the two hard drives are
listed in the POST and in the RAID Configuration Utility. Obviously, I can't install an operating system because it
doesn't see anyplace to install.

My system is as follows:

Motherboard - Intel BOXD97510J.86A.1304
CPU - Intel 6800 "Conroe" @ 2.93 GHz Core Duo
RAM - Four strips of Crucial @ 1 GB each - matched pairs installed in slots 1 & 3 and 2 & 4
HARD DRIVES - 2 WD Raptor SATA 150 GB @ 10,000 rpm
POWER SUPPLY - Epsilon FX700-GLN - 700 watts
VIDEO CARD(s) - nVidia 7950 GX2 - Dual 256 bit - 1 GB total memory
SOUND CARD - Creative Labs Audigy 2 ZS Platinum
A CD burner and a DVD burner with Lightscribe
A combo floppy drive

All parts are "out of the box" new, everything powers up, I can format the hard drives from the RAID Configuration
Utility (and did), I can set the BIOS to RAID, can combine the two physical drives into one Logical Drive to use a
RAID0 array but the BIOS refuses to recognize the hard drives.

I have tried, or have observed, the following:

1. Windows setup does launch and I pressed the F6 key to load third party software.
2. I loaded the RAID drivers that came with the motherboard.
3. Neither Windows nor BIOS recognizes the hard drives.
4. I removed the RAID configuration, changed the BIOS setting and just used the drives as singles, but the BIOS
didn't find the drives.
5. I disabled one of the drives at a time but BIOS didn't see the remaining drive.
6. SATA drives don't have jumpers, per se, so it can't be a jumper issue.
7. I can format the drives so they are receiving power and are connected.

Please HELP!

 

[Freestone]

I am not sure BIOS will ever see the drives since they are attached to a RAID controller. It sounds as if the drives are okay since you can format them through the RAID BIOS.

From the number you provided, I'm guessing you have an Intel Desktop Board D975XBX.

There are some RAID troubleshooting tips here:

http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/sb/CS-020811.htm

If the board number is correct, I suggest verifying your BIOS and RAID driver levels are the latest:

http://www.intel.com/products/motherboard/D975XBX/tools.htm

 

[shomaker]

I do have the board you described. Thinking that RAID might be an issue, I deleted the RAID array and changed the BIOS to ACHI. I also updated the BIOS to the latest version.

I read the links you supplied but none of the suggestions work. I am still at the point where the POST lists the hard drives but the BIOS doesn't, nor does WindowsXP so I can't install it.

Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Freestone]

I see there are two RAID controllers on-board. Are you matching the correct F6 driver with the controller you are using?

"If using the black SATA headers (Intel RAID controller):
RAID: Intel® Matrix Storage Manager F6 Driver Disk "

"If using the blue SATA headers (Silicon Image* RAID controller):
RAID: Silicon Image* F6 Driver Disk

 

[shomaker]

I believe that I am using the black SATA controllers. I tried using the blue controllers but they weren't accepted.

 

[Freestone]

Not having this board, I can't be positive, but since your drives are connected to a RAID controller, BIOS won't enumerate the drives as this function will be handled by the RAID controller BIOS.

The black connectors are the Intel RAID controller so drive manipulation is via the Intel Matrix Storage Manager. The rather lengthy manual for this can be found at

http://support.intel.com/support/chipsets/imsm/sb/cs-020670.htm

Try downloading the Intel Matrix Storage Manager F6 Driver Disk and create the diskette for your version of Windows.

I don't understand what you mean by " I tried using the blue controllers but they weren't accepted." Accepted by what?

 

[shomaker]

I should have explained that you can install third party software, RAID drivers in my case, during the WindowsXP install process by pressing F6. At that point, I tried to install the blue drivers but WindowsXP wouldn't accept them but it would accept the black drivers.

ALSO, the problem is solved! It seems that there are 8 different SATA connectors on the motherboard. If one uses the correct ones, there is no problem.

My drives are listed in the BIOS, they are a RAID0 array and WindowsXP is installed. Life is good.

Thanks to everyone who helped.

 

[Freestone]

Glad you got it worked out! And thank you for reporting back ...I now know that the drives WILL be listed in BIOS.

Very strange though that you say XP wouldn't accept the Silicon Image drivers after pressing F6.

Oh well, enjoy the board and the speed, I am somewhat envious