New WD Raptor Help

[FuFighterStan]

Hi everyone! I went out and purchased a 36 GB Raptor today from Fry's since it was on sale, and wanted to reinstall Windows on to it. My motherboard is a MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum. Anyway, whenever I plug in the Raptor into any of the SATA ports, the system will hang at "Detecting IDE Devices..." while booting up. When i tried booting off the CD, it hung in the same location until it finally went to the Windows setup after about 5 minutes, but it only detected the IDE drive i had connected and didn't have the option to a create a partition on the Raptor.

I've tried plugging it into all 4 SATA slots, and have tried using the cable that WD supplies along with the Legacy ATA power connector, as well as using a SATA cable that came with my motherboard as well as a power convertor since my Seasonic Super Silencer doesn't have SATA power connectors.

I'm currently using BIOS 1.8 for my motherboard, however when i originally tried to install it I was using version 1.9, and in that case the motherboard would automatically reboot after showing all the IDE devices and just repeat over and over again.

I've also tried unplugging all my IDE Hard Drives, and just leaving my DVD drive connected as well as the Raptor to no luck as well.

Any ideas?

 

[spiritwalker2223]

You have to press F6 somewhere near the begining to load the hard drive drivers. You do have a 3.5in floppy with the drivers?

 

[MustISO]

I have the same mobo and the 74GB Raptor. I had no issues installing XP SP2 on the drive. You shouldn't need any drivers if you're installing XP (not sure if the SP matters).

 

[imported_Tick]

Sounds like a bad drive.

 

[Ronin]

Originally posted by: MustISO
I have the same mobo and the 74GB Raptor. I had no issues installing XP SP2 on the drive. You shouldn't need any drivers if you're installing XP (not sure if the SP matters).

Umm...wrong.

If you're installing WinXP on a SATA drive, you MUST use a floppy disk to install the SATA drivers at the F6 prompt. WinXP does not natively support SATA drives, no matter what SP you're using.

As far as hanging at the bios, might need to check into your settings to see if there's something errant.

 

[FuFighterStan]

Well, the hanging on my system's startup is the main issue, since it appears that it isn't even being detected. I don't believe that it should even be taking that long for the system to even start booting off the CD, so i don't think its a driver issue during the Windows installation. I can't even load my previous Windows installation on my IDE drives with the Raptor plugged in since it just hangs. Since that doesn't work, i'm not really worried about the procedure to install Windows on it yet, as i do know that you need to load drivers during the installation. Just trying to figure out why it just stalls on me I haven't used a SATA drive before, but is there somewhere in the BIOS or on startup that lists the drive as being detected the way IDE drives are?

The Raptor also didn't come with a disk. And what kind of "errant" settings can there be? All SATA channels are enabled in the BIOS.

 

[stevty2889]

Originally posted by: Ronin

Originally posted by: MustISO
I have the same mobo and the 74GB Raptor. I had no issues installing XP SP2 on the drive. You shouldn't need any drivers if you're installing XP (not sure if the SP matters).

Umm...wrong.

If you're installing WinXP on a SATA drive, you MUST use a floppy disk to install the SATA drivers at the F6 prompt. WinXP does not natively support SATA drives, no matter what SP you're using.

As far as hanging at the bios, might need to check into your settings to see if there's something errant.

Thats funny, I have installed windows xp on several SATA drives without having to use a floppy drive..it depends on the SATA controller and how it's configured in BIOS. Yes I needed them to install on my raid array, but didn't need them for a single drive, I don't have a floppy drive installed in any of my computers.

As for the OP's problem, you probably need to check your BIOS settings. It's a good idea to disconnect all other hard drives when installing to a SATA hard drive as well, as I have seen some strange bugs where it gives the SATA drive a drive letter other than C: and some other issues.

 

[LED]

Originally posted by: stevty2889

Originally posted by: Ronin

Originally posted by: MustISO
I have the same mobo and the 74GB Raptor. I had no issues installing XP SP2 on the drive. You shouldn't need any drivers if you're installing XP (not sure if the SP matters).

Umm...wrong.

If you're installing WinXP on a SATA drive, you MUST use a floppy disk to install the SATA drivers at the F6 prompt. WinXP does not natively support SATA drives, no matter what SP you're using.

As far as hanging at the bios, might need to check into your settings to see if there's something errant.

Thats funny, I have installed windows xp on several SATA drives without having to use a floppy drive..it depends on the SATA controller and how it's configured in BIOS. Yes I needed them to install on my raid array, but didn't need them for a single drive, I don't have a floppy drive installed in any of my computers.

As for the OP's problem, you probably need to check your BIOS settings. It's a good idea to disconnect all other hard drives when installing to a SATA hard drive as well, as I have seen some strange bugs where it gives the SATA drive a drive letter other than C: and some other issues.

#Exactly on many Mobo's nowaday's the floppy step is not necessary but setting up the RAID controller properly in the BIOS is...

 

[Mucker]

You do not need a floppy to install XP on SATA unless you are using raid. First, make sure the SATA controllers are enabled in the bios, and if there is an auto-detect feature, enable it. Unplug your ide hard drives (make sure the Raptor is the only drive hooked up while installing XP, afterwards you can add your other drives)

m

 

[WebDude]

Originally posted by: Tick
Sounds like a bad drive.

Yeah, what he said. If you've never had the drive working, it's suspect. Best thing would be to try it in another system, if you have access to one.

 

[natto fire]

Originally posted by: Ronin

Originally posted by: MustISO
I have the same mobo and the 74GB Raptor. I had no issues installing XP SP2 on the drive. You shouldn't need any drivers if you're installing XP (not sure if the SP matters).

Umm...wrong.

If you're installing WinXP on a SATA drive, you MUST use a floppy disk to install the SATA drivers at the F6 prompt. WinXP does not natively support SATA drives, no matter what SP you're using.

As far as hanging at the bios, might need to check into your settings to see if there's something errant.

Actually, you are wrong, partially. You do not need a floppy drive to install the SATA drivers, they can be slipstreamed into a WXP install, the drivers can be copied to the CD, eliminating the need for dinosaur tech. I did that for my A78NX and it works flawlessly, I have yet to put an obsolete drive into my main comp.

 

[Intelia]

I sugjest you take Ronin advice On boot up enter your bios. set up for single sata drive. you should not have to press F4 On less building a raid Array. After you configure for sata H/D leave bios . than press F6 when the O/P ask than install the drivers that came with the M/B when directed to .off of the floppy that came with your M/B / If you have 2 sata controllers make sure you know which 1 your plugged into and load the right driver for that controller

 

[FuFighterStan]

I've tried with all of the IDE cables unplugged, and still no luck. I also updated to MSI's latest 1.A BIOS, and no matter what i try the system will startup and show the memory test and CPU ID, and then reboot.

I'm not sure what BIOS settings would effect this. The only ones are to enable/disable the SATA and SATA DMA settings for each channel, and both are enabled.

I don't have any other system's lying around at home that support SATA. I suppose i'll have to see if i can find a friend's system and try it out. Could the power supply cause something like this?

 

[thebigdude]

I am having a similiar problem:

Just bought a Seagate 7200.8 HDD from Fry's and am having trouble installing it. The drive is SATA.

I've enabled the SATA in bios and also enabled the SATA DMA transfer. I put the drive in and Windows detects it. It shows up in device manager under the disk drives setting. However it does not show up under My Computer so that I can format it. Also the safely remove hardware icon is appering in my system tray for the HDD. I am completely confused.

This is my first SATA drive install so I don't know if i missed a step or did something wrong.


One thing I am not sure about is in device manager under the general tab for the drive it's location is listed as "Location 0 (Secondary ATA Channel) which I know cannot be right. That is where my DVD burner is on my second IDE channel.

I am totally lost.


Anybody have any idea what is messing me up.

Thanks in advance.

(Copied my post from another forum.)

 

[Deinonych]

Originally posted by: Ronin
Umm...wrong.

If you're installing WinXP on a SATA drive, you MUST use a floppy disk to install the SATA drivers at the F6 prompt. WinXP does not natively support SATA drives, no matter what SP you're using.

That's not true. I installed XP SP1 on my Raptor (new install) and didn't have to load any drivers.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: FuFighterStan
I've tried with all of the IDE cables unplugged, and still no luck. I also updated to MSI's latest 1.A BIOS, and no matter what i try the system will startup and show the memory test and CPU ID, and then reboot.

I'm not sure what BIOS settings would effect this. The only ones are to enable/disable the SATA and SATA DMA settings for each channel, and both are enabled.

I don't have any other system's lying around at home that support SATA. I suppose i'll have to see if i can find a friend's system and try it out. Could the power supply cause something like this?

Do you see the drive in the bios? It should be listed as an IDE device?

No the power supply would not cause this, unless the drive wasn't getting power. Did you try another power connector?

 

[FuFighterStan]

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: FuFighterStan
I've tried with all of the IDE cables unplugged, and still no luck. I also updated to MSI's latest 1.A BIOS, and no matter what i try the system will startup and show the memory test and CPU ID, and then reboot.

I'm not sure what BIOS settings would effect this. The only ones are to enable/disable the SATA and SATA DMA settings for each channel, and both are enabled.

I don't have any other system's lying around at home that support SATA. I suppose i'll have to see if i can find a friend's system and try it out. Could the power supply cause something like this?

Do you see the drive in the bios? It should be listed as an IDE device?

No the power supply would not cause this, unless the drive wasn't getting power. Did you try another power connector?

Nope, i can't even get into the BIOS screen now with the Raptor plugged in to any of the SATA connectors since it restarts, and hitting DEL during the memory test doesn't seem to work. Any adjustments i need to make with it unplugged, so I can't tell if it is recognized. I think my BIOS shows places for the 4 Master/Slave connections, and then listings for 5th and 6th drives. Is that where the SATA drives should be listed?

I've tried a few different power connectors i think, since i've tried unplugging the IDE drives and using those.

Right now, i think i might just give up and return it to Fry's and buy an X-Fi or something

 

[Muadib]

I'm saying it's a bad drive then. Sounds like you've covered all the bases, so just return the drive.

 

[Intelia]

Originally posted by: thebigdude
I am having a similiar problem:

Just bought a Seagate 7200.8 HDD from Fry's and am having trouble installing it. The drive is SATA.

I've enabled the SATA in bios and also enabled the SATA DMA transfer. I put the drive in and Windows detects it. It shows up in device manager under the disk drives setting. However it does not show up under My Computer so that I can format it. Also the safely remove hardware icon is appering in my system tray for the HDD. I am completely confused.

This is my first SATA drive install so I don't know if i missed a step or did something wrong.


One thing I am not sure about is in device manager under the general tab for the drive it's location is listed as "Location 0 (Secondary ATA Channel) which I know cannot be right. That is where my DVD burner is on my second IDE channel.

I am totally lost.


Anybody have any idea what is messing me up.

Thanks in advance.

(Copied my post from another forum.)

Little confused is this the only H/D your using if it is must be ok if your in the manager windows loaded. Reply

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: Intelia

Originally posted by: thebigdude
I am having a similiar problem:

Just bought a Seagate 7200.8 HDD from Fry's and am having trouble installing it. The drive is SATA.

I've enabled the SATA in bios and also enabled the SATA DMA transfer. I put the drive in and Windows detects it. It shows up in device manager under the disk drives setting. However it does not show up under My Computer so that I can format it. Also the safely remove hardware icon is appering in my system tray for the HDD. I am completely confused.

This is my first SATA drive install so I don't know if i missed a step or did something wrong.


One thing I am not sure about is in device manager under the general tab for the drive it's location is listed as "Location 0 (Secondary ATA Channel) which I know cannot be right. That is where my DVD burner is on my second IDE channel.

I am totally lost.


Anybody have any idea what is messing me up.

Thanks in advance.

(Copied my post from another forum.)

Little confused is this the only H/D your using if it is must be ok if your in the manager windows loaded. Reply

He's looking at it in windows, so it can't be his only drive.

I've enabled the SATA in bios and also enabled the SATA DMA transfer. I put the drive in and Windows detects it. It shows up in device manager under the disk drives setting. However it does not show up under My Computer so that I can format it. Also the safely remove hardware icon is appering in my system tray for the HDD. I am completely confused.

The drives won't show up in my computer until you have it formatted. Are you using xp?

One thing I am not sure about is in device manager under the general tab for the drive it's location is listed as "Location 0 (Secondary ATA Channel) which I know cannot be right. That is where my DVD burner is on my second IDE channel.

It's right. You have more than one controller. You have at least one SATA controller, then you have at least one IDE controller.

 

[Intelia]

Ok I see When you boot press F4 if your tring to build a Raid o than configure it in that window their should be an option to allow you to boot from the os installed on the drive your using. Than load your drivers and reformat . A clean install is some times the best . Just unhook your present drives. properly hook up the new sata drives load the drivers and format while installing windows after your system is prorely running hook up your other harddrives.

 

[jondl]

I've had experience with this board and read elsewhere that SATA 1 and 2 are unlocked on that board. So if you're overclocking, there is a chance that you overclocked your raptor and its busted. SATA 3 and 4 do work with overclocked systems. And i would also like to say that i have never had to use my SATA driver diskette to install winxp. In fact, i just reformatted last night.

Question: I'm about to go out and get 2x36gb raptors and am wondering if the DFI Ultra-D motherboards have this same problem? I currently already have 2 SATA drives installed and it would be great to know if i would be running into any problems at all.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=43033 <-------------Read up on your board..

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: jondl
I've had experience with this board and read elsewhere that SATA 1 and 2 are unlocked on that board. So if you're overclocking, there is a chance that you overclocked your raptor and its busted. SATA 3 and 4 do work with overclocked systems. And i would also like to say that i have never had to use my SATA driver diskette to install winxp. In fact, i just reformatted last night.

Question: I'm about to go out and get 2x36gb raptors and am wondering if the DFI Ultra-D motherboards have this same problem? I currently already have 2 SATA drives installed and it would be great to know if i would be running into any problems at all.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=43033 <-------------Read up on your board..

Why are you getting 2 36gb raptors?

 

[Markbnj]

I did not install any drivers for my 74g raptor in WinXP Pro. Motherboard is a Gigabyte K8NS Ultra-939.

 

[jondl]

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: jondl
I've had experience with this board and read elsewhere that SATA 1 and 2 are unlocked on that board. So if you're overclocking, there is a chance that you overclocked your raptor and its busted. SATA 3 and 4 do work with overclocked systems. And i would also like to say that i have never had to use my SATA driver diskette to install winxp. In fact, i just reformatted last night.

Question: I'm about to go out and get 2x36gb raptors and am wondering if the DFI Ultra-D motherboards have this same problem? I currently already have 2 SATA drives installed and it would be great to know if i would be running into any problems at all.

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/showthread.php?t=43033 <-------------Read up on your board..

Why are you getting 2 36gb raptors?

Should i be getting a 74gb raptor? Honestly, i just saw the deal and am considering it without any research. I do remember a 74gb raptor being faster than 2x36gb in raid0. Any suggestions?