D975XBX2 - SATA drive problems

[cichlid102]

Hello All,

I just finished hooking up all of the last cables on my new computer. I went to install Windows Vista and prior to installing it shows a thing that says my hard drive is about to fail (something like this). So I go ahead with the install and it ends up failing in the middle. I've tried this multiple times and it always ends the same. I only have one 250GB SATA drive (new, no raid) that i'm trying to connect. I'm not sure if i'm doing something wrong or is my drive maybe bad. I'm leaning towards user error.

I've tried switching the SATA cables around and played with the BIOS settings but I can't seem to get anything to work. So, the only thing i've installed is Windows Vista. I wasn't sure if you can update the bios without having windows on first. Also, wasn't sure about the other cd that came with my mobo - Windows Express Installer Driver CD.

I look around at some of the other threads about this but couldn't get anything to work. I'm hoping that maybe this is something really simple and someone will be able to spot it.

Thanks!!

pc

[mbl]

Hi,

I think you can do a lot of things. The first one is to update the BIOS. There are two ways to do it. Download the .ISO file and create a CD. Boot your system using the CD and it will complete the update automatically. Other way is to proceed to recovery BIOS. Both works! (I tested by myself). Remember to disconect all USB device when updating the BIOS. With BIOS updated you can try again, if it fails, try to create a partition (100G for example) and install Vista in it. REMEMBER to DISABLE windows vista registration (as you are going to install it again). There is an option in BIOS to how configure you SATA devices. There are three type (IDE, RAID and other that I dont remember). Check the motherboard manual and choose the best for your system. Well, I hope it helped you.

Good luck,
MBL.

[cichlid102]

Thanks for the help MBL! I downloaded/extracted the ISO image and burned it all onto a CD. I'm at work now so I'll try it when I get home. I'll have to check the bios settings again for the SATA as I changed many things trying to get the thing to work. Does anyone know for sure which options I should set? I'm just running one drive so no Raid. I think the options were IDE, RAID and ASIH (something like this). I think someone said that the ASIH was another name for SATA. So maybe I would check that one? I think the bios defaulted to IDE.

Thanks!!

pc

[cichlid102]

I have another quick question. Do I need to install any of the Raid drivers (Marvell or Intel)? If so, how and when would I do this.

Thanks!

pc

[DaddyRabbit]

I have another quick question. Do I need to install any of the Raid drivers (Marvell or Intel)? If so, how and when would I do this.

Thanks!

pc

You can select "optimal settings" in BIOS to reset everything.

The term you're searching for is "AHCI" My recommendation would be to set it to "RAID". It will slow the boot a half a second or so but if you decide to RAID later it will reduce your setup time as the drivers will be there and using RAID also enables AHCI functionality (hot plug, NCQ etc.). You don't have to have a setup that uses RAID to enable it, you will just see "non-raid" drive configuration while booting.

Yes you will need to install drivers. With a single drive I would use the ICH7R for the HDD but still install the Marvell drivers as well as the Intel ones since you might want to use the Marvell later. This will be Ok even if you disable the Marvell after install.

My concern is the "drive is about to fail" message, if S.M.A.R.T. is enabled maybe the OS install is detecting an actual failure condition in the drive. This is not something I've seen before but don't think a BIOS update would fix since, with the XBX2 being pretty mature, that it would be all over the message boards.

Not an expert but my 2 rusty pennies.

[cichlid102]

You're right about the S.M.A.R.T message "drive may fail soon". I tried installing the drivers but I don't think I had the right ones. Anyway, Vista sat there for about 10 min trying to extract the files - stayed at 0%. So, I decided to take the drive out and take it to my work computer. I put it in and sure enough this machine also showed a SMART Event - same message.

I was able to read and write to the drive on my computer at work. Kinda strange that I'm having problems installing Vista but i'm sure it has to do with the SMART message that i've been getting. I'm sending it back for a replacement - RMA. I should hopefully get it sometime next week. I'll update this thread when I have new info.

Thanks for the help!

pc

[DaddyRabbit]

You're right about the S.M.A.R.T message "drive may fail soon". I tried installing the drivers but I don't think I had the right ones. Anyway, Vista sat there for about 10 min trying to extract the files - stayed at 0%. So, I decided to take the drive out and take it to my work computer. I put it in and sure enough this machine also showed a SMART Event - same message.

I was able to read and write to the drive on my computer at work. Kinda strange that I'm having problems installing Vista but i'm sure it has to do with the SMART message that i've been getting. I'm sending it back for a replacement - RMA. I should hopefully get it sometime next week. I'll update this thread when I have new info.

Thanks for the help!

pc

Drivers for Vista 32 here: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/filter_ ... bmit=Go%21

[mbl]

Hi,

I think Intel recomends AHCI, but it need to be done before install anything on hard disk. Using AHCI you can use a normal or RAID configuration. There is a good document that explain this configuration, need to find it at Intel's website.

Good luck,
MBL.

[DaddyRabbit]

Hi,

I think Intel recomends AHCI, but it need to be done before install anything on hard disk. Using AHCI you can use a normal or RAID configuration. There is a good document that explain this configuration, need to find it at Intel's website.

Good luck,
MBL.

It's the other way around, if you enable RAID it also enables AHCI. With the controller set to AHCI you will not have RAID capability. You do need to install with the controller set to either AHCI or RAID. You can use "single" drives on a RAID controller you do not have to RAID them.

The recommendation in the aforementioned document from Intel is to always install with the RAID controller enabled so that, if you decide to RAID later, the drivers will be there and a re-install won't be necessary.

[mbl]

Hi,

I will write an errata here. Intel recommends RAID, enable RAID will enable AHCI. Here goes a text from Intel's documentation:

NOTE: If you are using a SATA hard drive, the best choice is to set your BIOS to RAID mode and install the operating system using the F6 installation procedure; RAID mode allows your system to be "RAID Ready" and also enables AHCI. This mode provides the greatest overall flexibility and upgradeability.

It was a misunderstanding from me, now it is correct.
MBL.

[cichlid102]

Hey everyone!

I wanted to update this thread as I received my new HD last week. I installed it with no problems and it came right up. I had no problems with installing Vista and no more SMART messages. So far, it's been running really well. The only problem i've been having is when the machine first boots. It boots to the vista login but my keyboard doesn't work. The mouse works fine but nothing only the keyboard (the keyboard num lock is on but you can't turn it off so it must not be working). I restart the machine and the keyboard works fine. I should note that the keyboard works fine in the bios. Anybody have any ideas? I'm currently using the ps2 port but I did try a usb one and got the same results.

Thanks!

pc

[DaddyRabbit]

Hey everyone!

I wanted to update this thread as I received my new HD last week. I installed it with no problems and it came right up. I had no problems with installing Vista and no more SMART messages. So far, it's been running really well. The only problem i've been having is when the machine first boots. It boots to the vista login but my keyboard doesn't work. The mouse works fine but nothing only the keyboard (the keyboard num lock is on but you can't turn it off so it must not be working). I restart the machine and the keyboard works fine. I should note that the keyboard works fine in the bios. Anybody have any ideas? I'm currently using the ps2 port but I did try a usb one and got the same results.

Thanks!

pc

Not this one again!, I thought it was fixed Do a forum search on PS2 keyboard issues and there are many threads. Try the USB keyboard again, it may have seemed not reponsive after the one boot because drivers were loading. Boot with it and then wait awhile to see if the USB keyboard comes to life.

[MrDisco]

Hello. I'm having a problem with my BX2 with regards to the Marvell controller.

Specs:
BX2 with the latest bios (as of this post)
2x2GB Mushkin EM2 6400
Vista32 SP1
Various SATA HDs

When I have my 3 drives (+1 optical) connected to the Intel controller (black ports) the system boots fine. When I plug a one or more drives into the 3 blue ports the system hangs just prior the Windows splash screen - all I see is blinking cursor.

What I want is to be able to use the 3 blue ports as regular SATA drives - i.e. no RAID

The Marvell controller is enabled in the BIOS. The Marvell controller detects the HD as I see it listed when it scans the ports upon boot up
RAID is not configured in the controller
The SATA mode is AHCPI in the BIOS
Different sata cables and sata HDs have been tested
The same problem occurs with Vista (non SP1) and XP

Any ideas? I'm at wit's end

[DaddyRabbit]

Silly question but have you installed the drivers for the Marvell controller?

[MrDisco]

Silly question but have you installed the drivers for the Marvell controller?

nope not a silly question. to be honest i'm not sure i've installed all the drivers properly. is there an order i'm supposed to follow? i know when i installed vista (and xp) I did not hit F6.

In device manager i do not have anything with a yellow exclamation mark. under storage controllers i see Marvell 61xx RAID controller, driver by Marvell version 1.2.051.

[DaddyRabbit]

Silly question but have you installed the drivers for the Marvell controller?

nope not a silly question. to be honest i'm not sure i've installed all the drivers properly. is there an order i'm supposed to follow? i know when i installed vista (and xp) I did not hit F6.

In device manager i do not have anything with a yellow exclamation mark. under storage controllers i see Marvell 61xx RAID controller, driver by Marvell version 1.2.051.

Not sure if it's a driver issue but you could try these:

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_ ... s&lang=eng

Also, I seem to remember back when I was fiddling with the BX2 that sometimes adding a drive to the Marvell would change the boot order in BIOS which gave the same symptoms.