A7V133 IDE detect

[Darren Best]

I have an A7V133 (a demo model from a computer store) with the
following on IDE:
- Primary Master: Fujitsu MPE3102A (10GB hard disk)
- Primary Slave: none
- Secondary Master: generic LG 52x CD-ROM
- Secondary Slave: none
- Promise RAID IDE ports: all unused

I wanted to install a Toshiba 16x DVD-ROM drive. Conventional wisdom
says to install as the secondary slave. I set the appropriate jumper
on the drive, plugged the drive in (yes, the IDE cable was plugged in
the right way), and booted.

The result was unexpected. The computer would not recognize *ANY* IDE
drives (even the hard disk on the primary controller)! The floppy
appeared unaffected. I tried a few differect settings in the BIOS,
but no differences.

On a whim, I removed the DVD-ROM. On the next POST, the HD and CD-ROM
were again recognized, but the SETUP BIOS program came up by itself,
and the computer's speaker sounded a very quick oscilating beep
("EEEE-EEEE-EEEE...") for about 15 seconds. It stopped, I saved the
settings, rebooted, and everything now appears normal.

Does this sound familiar to anyone? How can a (presumably faulty) DVD
drive cause this kind of failure? Is it possible that it could
permanently damage my system if I try again (specifically if I try it
on the RAID controller's ports)?

Any response would be appreciated. Thanks.

Darren

 

[Guest]

Darren> - Secondary Slave: none
Darren> - Promise RAID IDE ports: all unused

Darren> I wanted to install a Toshiba 16x DVD-ROM drive. Conventional wisdom
Darren> says to install as the secondary slave. I set the appropriate jumper
Darren> on the drive, plugged the drive in (yes, the IDE cable was plugged in
Darren> the right way), and booted.

Install on the promise controller as master - try that combination or
put the harddrive on the promise controller.

Darren> The result was unexpected. The computer would not recognize *ANY* IDE
Darren> drives (even the hard disk on the primary controller)! The floppy
Darren> appeared unaffected. I tried a few differect settings in the BIOS,
Darren> but no differences.

Are you sure that jumper was set correctly?

Darren> On a whim, I removed the DVD-ROM. On the next POST, the HD and CD-ROM
Darren> were again recognized, but the SETUP BIOS program came up by itself,
Darren> and the computer's speaker sounded a very quick oscilating beep
Darren> ("EEEE-EEEE-EEEE...") for about 15 seconds. It stopped, I saved the
Darren> settings, rebooted, and everything now appears normal.

Standard when the system freezes or is turned off before post is
completed. That's a safety feature.

Darren> Does this sound familiar to anyone? How can a (presumably faulty) DVD
Darren> drive cause this kind of failure? Is it possible that it could
Darren> permanently damage my system if I try again (specifically if I try it
Darren> on the RAID controller's ports)?

Try on the promise controller, or put the harddisk on the promise
controller.

Good luck,

Alan