Serial ATA - HD installation failure

[Robin Dufour]

See below a list of my new PC Hardware configuration.

Problem: Windows XP_Pro does not recognize my WD 120GB
Caviar S-ATA.

I do not know what is the proper Bios setup (Integrated
Peripherals) for my PC hardware configuration. I read all
MSI manuals and Western Digital instructions but Windows
XP_Pro does not recocnize the S-ATA HD.

My Installation Process description:

When I connect my Caviar into the SATA1 (ICH5R), the POST
does not see the HD!!!. When I connect the HD into the
SATA3 (Promise) connector, the POST does see the HD. I did
connect the CD-rom onto the IDE1 connection. Is it
reserve for Hard Disk Only???. Then, I keep the default
value of the BIOS and launch Window XP. I do press F6 to
install the proper driver (supply with the motherboard)
and all seems OK until I get to the Partition window.

Window tells me that there is not HARD DISK install.

PLEASE, help me to select the proper BIOS Integrated
Peripherals setup for my PC and tell me what to do for
this problem. I would appreciate any feedback.

Computer Components:
Motherboard; MSI i865PE Neo2-FIS2R
CPU; Pentium 4, 2.40C-GHz 512K L2-Cache 800 MHz FSB
Mem, 2X Kingston Tech @ 512MB - DDR400
Hard Disk; Western Digital 120 GB Caviar S-ATA 7200RPM
Video Card; ASUS V9520 Video Suite FX5200 - 128MB - 8X
CD Writer; HP 9150i - 4459

Thank you.

 

[Pete Baker]

Robin

First port of call should be the MSI website. There have been several BIOS
updates for your mainboard since it's release and a lot of the changes
concern SATA functionality.

The latest version is 1.5 available here
http://www.msi.com.tw/program/support/bios/bos/spt_bos_detail.php?UID=433

Your mainboard manual should give you instruction on the relevant settings
but you should be looking for a SATA enable setting and possibly a boot from
SATA option.

Hope that helps
Post and update when you can
Pete

 

[Alan]

I am running into almost the identicle issue with my
Seagate 120 gig baracuda sata drive. Apparently what is
happening with the SATA is that they are being recognized
as a serial device in the bios, instead of a HDD. Check
the serial device section of your bios and see if it is
listed there. I asked the same question a few posts down
and got the best answer that I have heard to date, so I'm
going to give it a shot when I get home tonight.

Rolf

 

[Peter Parker]

You can FLASH your BIOS from a floppy. I do it all the time. Just make sure
you use a good floppy. Just don't have a power failure while your flashing.
I have a Dos 6.22 boot disk and then the Flash and bios on another Floppy.
Always backup your current Bios before Flashing.