Not recognizing drives at start-up

[knotez1]

Okay now stop chuckling ... this is the case of my two ears and one mouth so a quick explaination and I will shut-up and learn.

On a new unit start-up, using a Abit KA7-100 M/B, a WD 60GB 7200 rpm HD (primary master), a CD-R (primary slave) and a Yamaha CD-RW (secondary master) .... at start-up the system recognizes video card, recognizes 800 Athlon cpu, recognizes memory and then states IDE drives as "none" at all levels (primary and secondary). In Bios the floppy is seen but no other drives are seen (listed).

This M/B has actually 4 IDE connectors, allowing for a total possible 8 IDE items connecting. Fancy, but if no recognize .... no can parttion and format for OS install. Yes it is using a 40 pin 80 cable connector with black to primary master, gray to primary slave and blue to system board IDE 1.

Now what ????? ;>(

Thanks guys

[wallie_x]

The IDE channels must be 'Enabled' in the BIOS. When your system boots load the default setup parameters and exit. After you configure your basic system load the 'performance' parameters and then customize if need be. Also, you shouldn't, as a rule, place another UDMA device as slave with any harddrive if you can help it. Also, if this board has 4 IDE headers on it make sure you got the hard drive on the primary IDE channel. :cool:

[knotez1]

Wallie thank you for suggestions, IDEs are enabled in bios ... are you suggesting taking the CD-R off the primary slave location ... if so how would you suggest I configure these three items and laymens terms on your other suggestions, please. I enjoy learning from you guys!!!!

Thanks Again

[suzuki1]

knotez1,

Go into your bios and do an auto ide hd detect usualy on main screen if not go int standard cmos and do auto ide detect or set the ide pirmary master primary secondary ect.... to auto so your system detects your drives. Also did you fdisk and format your drives?

Good luck
Suzuki1

[knotez1]

You are making this to easy guys .... Auto detect is enabled on all of the drives. Can't fdisk or format until they are recognized by system. More suggestions appreciated. Oh yes switched out cables as well.


Thanks

[suzuki1]

did you try setting the hd manually?

I have had a system that wouldnt detect the hd unless I gave it alittle help!

And did you set the jumpers on the drives to primary, slave?

You know I have had a wd hd with the same problem know that I think about it. I know it was in the jumper's on the hd but I forget exactly what I did.

Suzuki1

[knotez1]

Yes checked jumpers again and they are correct and I think I will try to connect the drives one at a time. Hey let's see what happens. Any more ideas guys, Have always used Maxtor before ;>).

Thanks

[wallie_x]

If your system is brand new with no OS installed strip the system to bare bones. mobo, AGP card, Hard drive, floppy CD-ROM or CD-RW ONLY. No other IDE devices or cards in the PCI slots, reboot and see if your BIOS recognizes your hardware. You cannot put a whole system together and expect the BIOS to recognize it. The best way is to build it is part by part and install the drivers individually. After you install the OS the next thing should be the board chipset drivers. If you don't use this order your asking for big time headaches. Please configure your hard drive as master on the primary IDE channel. Then put the CD-RW as master with the CD-ROM as slave on the secondary IDE channel. Be mindful that you also must enable the DMA settings in the device manager in Windows as XP does not configure the secondary slave (CD-ROM) correctly. :cool:

[knotez1]

Thanks again Wallie, I only had a Yamaha sound card in the PCI slots but I will remove that also and try again.

[knotez1]

Sorry guys none of the above suggestions worked so hey now I head to the Abit support geniuses.

[MADMAC]

I think the hint here is the WD.. I am in the middle of a debate with my supplier over 3 WD Hard drives each of which fail if used with either Master or Slave jumpers, they will only work if set To CS ( cable select ) which is ok for the build I am currently working on but not the upgrade as the second of the two does not recognise cable select drives. suggest try the Drive with the jumper set to CS, then have a dig at WD.. By the way if you goto the WD site you can download the diagnostics software for free, unfortunately it doesn't work if the drive is not recognised by BIOS
http://www.wdc.com/support/download/

[MaxVal]

There is an issue with the newer WD600AB’s being detected by some via chipsets. Maybe the same for the BB.
Get an old 40 pin cable (as to not sacrifice an 80 pin ribbon for the test), and cut the #1 conductor (reset).
It worked for me.
Still waiting for a better solution…
MAX

[MADMAC]

Hi Maxval,
Dunno where you got the inspired idea of cutting line #1 but it worked, I am in the middle of low level formatting the first of the three drives mentioned ealier in the post, and touch wood everything is going smoothly, thank you for the help
Ps mine are WD200EB drives and the same problem is apparently prevalent with them