New HD locks BIOS

[dajakal]

I have a dated system built on a Gigabyte GA-7N400 Pro2 mobo. I got a new 1TB hard drive for some storage, WD10EADS (Western Digital Caviar Green SATA). When I connect it up, the computer gets past POST, checks memory, then goes into the SATA driver screen, Silicon Image 3512a v4.3.33. This screen usually pauses, displays my current HD and its size, then moves on. With the new drive connected, it shows my old drive+size, but just hangs after displaying only the new drive name ("WD WDC-something"). It doesn't show the size of the new drive, the cursor blinks, and the system just stays there. I tried swapping SATA ports, the only difference being if it detects the new HD in SATA port 0 it hangs there and doesn't get to reading my old drive in port 1.
So what are the next troubleshooting steps? Anything I should consider?
Thanks!

 

[Fardringle]

The motherboard BIOS might not be able to handle the large drive. Check for a BIOS update.

 

[dajakal]

The motherboard BIOS might not be able to handle the large drive. Check for a BIOS update.

The embedded SATA controller on the mobo has apparently released BIOS updates that other forum posters say fixed this problem. But Gigabyte hasn't released a BIOS update, and I'm not sure how to update the controller BIOS alone...

 

[TeeJay1952]

Some SATA drives need a jumper to slow them down to work with older motherboard. (from 300 to 150)

 

[dajakal]

Ok, I solved my problem. The problem lies in the SiI 3512a embedded controller, which can only recognize larger drives with a firmware update. But SiI doesn't release firmware updates for their embedded controllers, they rely on the mobo manufacturer, in this case Gigabyte has long stopped supporting it so there was no update.
However, a handy program called CBRom can edit Award BIOS updates, so I got the latest mobo BIOS and the latest SiI BIOS, used the program to inject the SiI into the mobo, and flashed. My mobo, GA-7n400 pro 2 rev 2, didn't like Gigabyte's @BIOS updater, so I had to dig out a floppy drive and do it in the BIOS. Anyway, the drive now passes the BIOS and everything is square.

 

[owenbAU]

dajakal - I have exactly the same mobo, HDD and problem !

difference is I am not as tech savvy as you - any chance you can send me the new file?

 

[tcsenter]

There are people who have already modded the BIOS just as you have done and posted it for others. e.g.

http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=194054

 

[owenbAU]

Thanks!