New drive not being recognized 2

[ChipCheese]

I bought a Western Digital 250 gig harddrive. I attached it to a SIIG Ultra ATA 100 PCI Controller and plugged it into my motherboard. The problem is that the drive appears intermittently or not at all. I cannot figure out a pattern as to when is shows up or goes stealth. IT's maddening. Any ideas on how to fix that?

For what it's worth, I have a Dell Pentium III running Windows XP. On my motherboard, I have the 80 gig hardrive that came with my computer and CD burner connected to one channel. The second channel has a 120 gig hard drive and DVD burner.

Thank you!
Chip

 

[cdogg]

Is the PCI controller always detected, even when the drive isn't? I'd suspect some incompatibility between your BIOS and the controller with each struggling to give way to the other at bootup.

Visit SIIG's website to see any updates or look over the install instructions to make sure you've done everything you need to. There's probably a setting in your BIOS that you need to adjust for the card.


~cdogg
[tab]"All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind";
[tab][tab]- Aristotle
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[ChipCheese]

Any idea how I can make sure the BIOS is set up correctly? I have downloaded the most recent drivers, according to my computer.

 

[cdogg]

Have you looked over the manual to see if it addresses this? I haven't installed many PCI IDE controllers, but some did list specific settings in popular BIOS's like Award and Pheonix.


~cdogg
[tab]"All paid jobs absorb and degrade the mind";
[tab][tab]- Aristotle
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[ChipCheese]

Unfortunately, SIIG's manual stops at Windows 2000 and assumes XP will take care of everything. I have downloaded Dell's latest BIOS for my computer and will be crossing my fingers. Thanks!

 

[happydownloader]

Also make sure you have the 48bitLba patch installed
Without it windows XP will not recignize your hdd proper either
Here is a tool to check

http://www.48bitlba.com/enablebiglbatool.htm

 

[ChipCheese]

The people at SIIG called ME today to tell me that I should have thier 133 PCI card instead of the 100 Raid or simply 100 PCI card. I installed the 133 and so far so good. Thanks one and all!

 

[TekTippy4U]

So...can these be chalked up to the PCI 100 card - Not being fast enough for the newer WD 250 GB HDD?? (assuming it's ATA/133)

TT4U

Notification:
These are just my thoughts....and should be carefully measured against other opinions.
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