SiS 3112 & Maxtor 200Gb - Help?

[sheehan]

Just bought a Maxtor 200Gb ATA and Sis 3112 based S-ATA controller, as add on storage.

Am adding into an ABIT KX7-333 rig (no raid) running XP Pro with existing IDE boot drive (IDE primary) and DVD and CD devices (IDE secondary channel).

First drive turned up duff - heads slapping with only power applied. RMAed and next drive is fully recognised, as is controller.

When I try to format (in Disk Management or from a DOS boot) I get an error that the 'format failed'. Have also tried using Maxtors low level format utility... It passes no prob., but I still cannot get it to take the NTFS format (quick or regular).

However, just tried the drive and controller in a Compaq rig and it works fine... So guess this must be a BIOS/Mobo issue - but none of the BIOS options seem particularly useful... Have tried disabling the 2nd IDE channel but no difference...

Have also applied latest 3112 S-ATA drivers and BIOS... no change.

Anyone got an idea how to progress?

[BipolarBill]

Have you updated the SIL (Silicon Image) drivers in Windows? There should be an update at Abit.

Have you partitioned the drive properly?

[BipolarBill]

Try these:

http://www.abit-usa.com/downloads/dr...es=1&model=158

[sheehan]

Hi BpB.

Indeed. drivers straight from ABIT and partitioned as D: in Disk Management.... That part is no problem, and the partition shows as healthy. However if i try to access it I am told it has not been formatted. Try formatting (normal or quick) and you get the failure message...

Pretty sure this is directly related to BIOS/mobo compatibility now. (No other problems with the rig at all).

Cheers,

Paul

[BipolarBill]

Where did you get the card? Do you have a link?

[sheehan]

Originally had 1.0.0.40 and updated to 1.1.0.52, but will try your recommended 1.0.0.28 drivers just in case...

Card was from Overclockers UK but it's a no brand item... However, gets good reviews from others... www.overclockers.co.uk

Cheers,

Paul

[sheehan]

1.0.0.28 drivers have same issue... just tested...

[sheehan]

however, what I didn't mention is that the 52 drivers do not work... Under these drivers the 'device cannot start' and you get a controller ! in device manager....

Cheers,

Paul

[BipolarBill]

Go back to the drivers you were using and delete/recreate the partition. See if that helps.

[sheehan]

Done - on many occasions.... No difference under any of the driver versions...

[BipolarBill]

I would send the card back as defective if I were you.

[BipolarBill]

One possibility - try the card in another slot. If it fails, swap it for a Promise or Highpoint card.

[sheehan]

I think you are right in terms of best way forward, though the card and drive work fine in my old Compaq...

Thx for looking at the problem anyway...

Cheers,

Paul