Add SATA hard drive - ASUS MoBo

stevenrw · Dec 30, 2008, 22:48:16

I finally tried to install a new Seagate Barracuda SATA HDD to my machine and I'm having problems. All is installed physically, but Windows (XP Home) doesn't see the new drive.
Motherboard is Asus A8V deluxe
Any suggestions anybody?
Main C drive is SATA already so auto detect must already be enabled (although I can't find the switch in the BIOS)
As an aside - are the SATA cables ALWAYS such a loose fit? My case is a tad crowded with IDE and power cables and all, and everytime I try frigging about in there the main drive data cable drops out - frustrating.
Another question while I'm at it..
With two optical drives, a floppy, and three HDD,s do you think it's time for a bigger PS? I just have the generic 350w that came with the (budget) case. Graphic card is a basic - I'm not a gamer, and I don't overclock.

Glenn · Dec 30, 2008, 22:52:52

Steve, you may need to add it via Disk Management,

Right click on 'My Computer' > Select Manage > Storage > Disk Management.

There you should see the new drive, right click on that and add the drive, Windows should format and assign a letter for it.

vitriol · Dec 30, 2008, 22:55:25

As Glenn has already said you probably just need to initialise the disk in disk management. As for your question about the power supply, I think you'll be fine, still if you have the money to spare then a good quality supply is a good idea, after all it powers everything in the system.

stevenrw · Dec 30, 2008, 22:59:05

Thanks Glenn, but that's the problem - It's not there in disc management, so I can't initialise it. Windows is not seeing the drive

Glenn · Dec 30, 2008, 23:03:05

What model motherboard is it?

Steve · Dec 30, 2008, 23:05:46

Is the 2nd SATA port enabled in bios?

Sebby · Dec 30, 2008, 23:19:22

It does sound like the SATA port on the motherboard is disabled if it's not showing up in Disk Management.

Steve · Dec 31, 2008, 07:57:12

Don't know the answer, but is the Asus A8V MB SATA1 and the hard drive SATA11 if so is the drive backwards compatible or does it need a jumper to downgrade it to SATA 1

Ray · Dec 31, 2008, 08:55:59

I've got one of those MBs in my WH Server, which SATA controller are you using the VIA one or the Promise 378? if you are plugged into the Promise one with your new drive check in Bios that the controller is set to IDE mode, if I remember correctly it defaults to Raid.

stevenrw · Dec 31, 2008, 10:26:30

Hi Sheltieuk
I already use the other SATA connection for the main C drive, how do I detect which controller I'm using?
As you know, there are two SATA connections on the MOBO, side by side. One (left hand conn looking at the board) was in use already for the C drive so presumably any default would have been set to both.
I'm no expert fooling around in the BIOS, so I don't know where to look.
'Scuse my ignorance, but why IDE when they are SATA conns? I also already have an EIDE drive installed, working fine
BTW, thanks everybody for the help and suggestions thusfar..

Steve · Dec 31, 2008, 10:36:42

Quote from: stevenrw on Dec 31, 2008, 10:26:30
Hi Sheltieuk
I already use the other SATA connection for the main C drive, how do I detect which controller I'm using?
As you know, there are two SATA connections on the MOBO, side by side. One (left hand conn looking at the board) was in use already for the C drive so presumably any default would have been set to both.
I'm no expert fooling around in the BIOS, so I don't know where to look.
'Scuse my ignorance, but why IDE when they are SATA conns? I also already have an EIDE drive installed, working fine
BTW, thanks everybody for the help and suggestions thusfar..

Depends on the bios but the IDE setting of SATA options takes it out of the RAID/AHCI mode. Far from an expert but the differing options require differing drivers for the OS .Vista detects it automatically but XP requires additional drivers. You can set a single SATA drive on some MB's in RAID/AHCI mode, apparently then the drive works in the mode it was designed for whatever that means.

Device manager will tell you which mode your C: is set too.

stevenrw · Dec 31, 2008, 11:33:20

It's reading the C drive (Western Digital SATA1) as a SCSI disk device for some reason. That at least is working, but why SCSI is a mystery to me.

Ray · Dec 31, 2008, 11:58:43

Quote from: stevenrw on Dec 31, 2008, 10:26:30
Hi Sheltieuk
I already use the other SATA connection for the main C drive, how do I detect which controller I'm using?
As you know, there are two SATA connections on the MOBO, side by side. One (left hand conn looking at the board) was in use already for the C drive so presumably any default would have been set to both.
I'm no expert fooling around in the BIOS, so I don't know where to look.
'Scuse my ignorance, but why IDE when they are SATA conns? I also already have an EIDE drive installed, working fine
BTW, thanks everybody for the help and suggestions thusfar..

If you are using the Sata connections that are side by side you are using the Promise controller, next to these you should see an ide connector marked Pri Raid, next to this you should see 2 more Sata connectors next to a chip labelled Via VT8237 these 2 ports are the Via ones. Unless you are using a Raid array your Sata ports need to be to set to IDE mode in the Bios and as Steve says in his post Windows XP will require drivers for these controllers.

Steve · Dec 31, 2008, 12:09:18

Quote from: stevenrw on Dec 31, 2008, 11:33:20
It's reading the C drive (Western Digital SATA1) as a SCSI disk device for some reason. That at least is working, but why SCSI is a mystery to me.

I think that's an XP bug it knows its not a PATA drive
What does it say under IDE Controller in device manager,it should give the mode that the drive is being addressed in,its probably standard PATA? So as Ray says configure it with the SATA port enabled in IDE mode. Did we find anyone whether SATA II is backwards compatible without a jumper?

stevenrw · Dec 31, 2008, 12:50:18

Under IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers I have:
Primary IDE channel
Details:
PCIIDE\IDECHANNEL\4&3A273386&0&0

Secondary IDE channel
Details:
PCIIDE\IDECHANNEL\4&3A273386&0&0

VIA bus Master IDE controller.

None of that means anything to me I'm afraid...

Steve · Dec 31, 2008, 13:25:42

I think it it means you SATA C: is being handled as if it where an IDE drive by the OS. With regards backwards compatibility of SATA 11 drives with a SATA 1 MB controller, some people say they don't work or it depends on the MB. See link below if it matches your drive I would stick a jumper (its a very small one I recall) on as described to limit it to SATA1 and then hopefully set it up in bios as IDE on the relevant enabled SATA port and should in theory work

http://www.seagate.com/images/support/en/us/cuda_sata_block.gif

Ray · Dec 31, 2008, 15:21:44

Quote from: stevethegas on Dec 31, 2008, 12:09:18
I think that's an XP bug it knows its not a PATA drive
What does it say under IDE Controller in device manager,it should give the mode that the drive is being addressed in,its probably standard PATA? So as Ray says configure it with the SATA port enabled in IDE mode. Did we find anyone whether SATA II is backwards compatible without a jumper?

Steve, I've got 3 500gb Seagate Barracuda Sata II drives running quite happily on this MB without any jumpers even though the Sata controllers on the board are only Sata I.

Steve · Dec 31, 2008, 15:34:49

Thanks Ray.Its not that then. I guess it must be the bios settings then. If he uses the same controller as the primary, XP should have the software already installed.

Ray · Dec 31, 2008, 15:55:19

Just had a look at the Onboard Devices Configuration Advanced Bios settings for this board to use your disks in non raid or IDE mode you need the following settings: -

OnChip SATA BOOTROM [Enabled]

OnBoard Promise Controller [Enabled]

Operating Mode [IDE Mode]

stevenrw · Dec 31, 2008, 16:41:32

Thanks for taking the time to look Skeltieuk - the settings you describe are exactly what's set up in my BIOS.
OnChip SATA bootrom - Enabled
Onboard Promise controller - Enabled
Operating mode - Onboard IDE operating

Back to scratching the heads I guess. Maybe I'll just buy a caddy....

Rik · Dec 31, 2008, 16:45:23

I take it the drive is spinning up physically? Do you have a non-Windows boot disk that you could use to see if the drive then becomes visible?

stevenrw · Dec 31, 2008, 16:52:38

Hi Rik,
yes it is, and no I don't.
I thought this was going to be easy.....

Caddy option is starting to look attractive.

Rik · Dec 31, 2008, 16:54:28

Don't give in yet, there's an answer, we just haven't worked out what it is.

Steve · Dec 31, 2008, 17:25:52

If your ok with D/L how about using a live CD to see if that will see the drive, suggest 8.10 https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCD it will not make any alterations to your system

stevenrw · Dec 31, 2008, 18:51:27

Might have to wait until next month to do that Steve, I've overrun my (stingy) 5gB for the month - grrr... Her indoors and that Darn IPlayer.