An expert needed!

[shmelev]

Here is my problem: my Dimension XPS 233 has a (I am pretty sure) LX MB and Ultra ATA 6 G Maxtor ATA-4 hard drive that is sitting on the master end of the controller cable and it's jumper is set by the Dell as "cable select". When I tried to install a new IBM's Deskstar 60 G Ultra ATA 100 HD it didn't get noticed by the BIOS! No matter how I set it: "master", or "slave"(while having the Maxtor as a master), or "cable select" (my PC manual recommends "cable select") and I have hooked it with, or without, or in place of the Maxtor (when Descstars' jumpers set for a "master") - no luck!. I understand the ATA 100 has to be backwards compatible with ATA 33. But the question is: "IS ATA-4 THE SAME AS ATA 33?"
Was I right when assumed that ATA-4 (my Maxtor) and ATA 33 (to which Descstar suppose to be backwards compatible) are the same?
Is there a possibility of a BIOS bug?
If so, is there a new revision of a BIOS for my MB out there?
I currently have Phoenix Bios 4.0 Release 6.0 (Dell's version A09).
Do I positively need either ATA 66 or ATA 100 controller card to get it tested? (If it is only going to work with the ATA 66 or ATA 100 I'd rather get a newest MB with a controller built-in).
How probable is that the new IBM HD itself is defective? I do not have another newer PC with ATA 33, ATA 66, or ATA 100 controller sitting around in my studio apartment to try and see if the HD is going to be recognized by BIOS there.
Your prompt response will be greatly appreciated!
I have less than two weeks left to return the drive if it is defective!
Sergey.

[justy]

I'll go with cadd,

Looks like a bios problem? Maybe overlay solution?

All the best, Justy.

[Sterling_Aug]

You could try to update the BIOS with a flash, but it is risky if you have never done it before. I have done over 40 flash updates and have only had 2 "bad" experiences so far.

Read more here:

http://www.ping.be/bios

[shmelev]

Thank you all for replies!

Since my BIOS is the latest for my MB, I will probably try to get a card (by the way is it worth to get an ATA 100?), or test the Descstar somewhere on newest PC. If it is OK Will start saving for MB/CPU/RAM if not will send it back! I have a question though: Is It truth that Dell's Power Supplies are proprietary, and fit only into Dells MB? If it is truth I'll need to add /PS there as well http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/frown.gif
I thought I am just adding some storage!
Thanks again!
shmelev.

[[BR]Magikal]

Have you tried manual config of the drive? It might work. Just set all the settings in the drive config to what is on the drive itself. Try it if you havnt.

[zskillz]

My other computer is a dell XPS-h233... and i'm pretty sure that I read somewhere that it doesn't support hdd's of the capacity... I'll tell you what though, dell has fantastic service. If you call them and ask, they will probably be able to tell you. If they can't tell you directly, ask what the exact make and model of the mobo is and then call the mobo manufacturer!
good luck!

-Z

[struggles]

Not oly will you need a ps, but a case too. These are all proprietary to Dell. http://sysopt.earthweb.com/forum/frown.gif