SATA, WIN XP Pro and Boot Disk issues

[Guest]

I set up a machine with Windows XP Pro using dual SATA drives in a non-raid
setup. Standby\Hibernation disabled. If I let the machine sit, the screen
goes black as if going into standby mode and when I try to 'wake' the system
up, it appears to be locked up, though I can move the mouse. When I restart,
I get a message that the boot disk cannot be found. Anyone encountered
something like this?

 

[Brian A.]

I set up a machine with Windows XP Pro using dual SATA drives in a non-raid
setup. Standby\Hibernation disabled. If I let the machine sit, the screen
goes black as if going into standby mode and when I try to 'wake' the system
up, it appears to be locked up, though I can move the mouse. When I restart,
I get a message that the boot disk cannot be found. Anyone encountered
something like this?

Look in the BIOS to make sure the drives are listed in the boot order as drives to
be detected at boot as bootable devices. You may need to set the actual boot drive
as the first drive in the list at least for testing purposes, normally the boot order
is set to A:, CD/DVD:, HD: or CD/DVD:, A:, HD:, it all depends on user preference.

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

 

[Guest]

I've done this.

The SATA drives are recognized at BIOS unless the machine goes into 'Power
Saver' mode, at which point it locks up, is forced to restart and, if 'setup'
is bypassed at BIOS and not reset, the problem occurs.

I am curious if maybe I did the setup improperly, so I'll take a look at the
manufacturers web site(s) and see if I can get help there. Feel free to
comment further, though. I need all the help I can get at this point.

 

[Anna]

I've done this.

The SATA drives are recognized at BIOS unless the machine goes into 'Power
Saver' mode, at which point it locks up, is forced to restart and, if
'setup'
is bypassed at BIOS and not reset, the problem occurs.

I am curious if maybe I did the setup improperly, so I'll take a look at
the
manufacturers web site(s) and see if I can get help there. Feel free to
comment further, though. I need all the help I can get at this point.

Kim:
Have you resolved this problem? If not...

1. When you say you "set up a machine...", this is a new PC that you just
built? Or was it an older machine and you just added the two SATA HDDs,
perhaps replacing one or more PATA HDDs? Were these new SATA HDDs? If so,
did the "older" machine function without the problem you mention? Any other
component/software changes that might have triggered the problem?

2. I note that in your efforts to diagnose the problem you've indicated that
you have not enabled Hibernate & Standby in Control Panel > Power Options.
Have you also selected "Never" for turning off the hard disk?

3. I really don't think the problem you're experiencing is due to boot
priority order, at least based on your description of the problem. I assume
one of your SATA HDDs is the boot drive and the other SATA HDD is being used
(or contemplated) for backup/storage purposes. Is that right?

4. Initially, you were able to install the XP onto one of your SATA HDDs
without any problem? Initially the system booted without incident and
functioned without problems and this problem later arose? Or has the problem
existed from the time you installed the OS?

5. What happens when you connect just the boot drive without the second SATA
HDD being connected? Same problem? And you're sure the drives have been
properly connected on your motherboard, right?

6. I'm really not clear on your last post (response) to Brian as you further
describe the problem. When you refer to "setup is bypassed at BIOS and not
reset, the problem occurs", what exactly does this mean? Are you indicating
that there are certain steps you can take to prevent this problem by
accessing your motherboard's BIOS? Could you clarify this?

7. And when you indicate that you may have done "the setup improperly", what
do you mean? Are you referring to selecting this or that BIOS element?
You've carefully reviewed the motherboard's User Guide/Manual to make sure
the appropriate BIOS elements have been selected, especially as to any
elements that refer to the installation/configuration of your SATA HDDs?

8. When you say you plan to "look at the manufacturers web site(s) and see
if I can get help there.", you're referring to the motherboard manuf. site
and/or the manuf. of your SATA HDDs? Do you think there could be a problem
with one of your SATA HDDs? Perhaps it would be a good idea to download the
HDD diagnostic utility from the manufacturer's site and test out the HDDs.

9. It's hard, if not impossible, from this distance to determine what is
causing the problem you're experiencing. It's possible that it could either
be software or hardware related. Re the latter, perhaps a malfunctioning
power supply.

Anyway, if the problem still exists and you wish to pursue further, perhaps
you can respond to the above...
Anna