ATAPI CD-ROM drive in a SCSI system

[cameo]

My XP PC is an old SCSI based system with a Tekram DC-390U2W controller.
Three HDs and a CD/DVD player runs off that controller. The only drive
that is not SCSI is a Plextor ATAPI CD-ROM drive on an EIDE
cable, in master configuration. These drives all run fine but for the
life of me I can't boot from the ATAPI CD-ROM drive even though I just
about
tried all the boot sequences in the mobo's Award BIOS that I could think
of. I
can boot from the SCSI CD/DVD drive but that drive is getting to be
unreliable.

I think somehow the SCSI adapter's built-in BIOS interferes with the
ATAPI drive's boot process but I can't figure out how to fix it.

I realize this BIOS related problem is not really specific to Windows XP
but I've tried other forums before and got no useful tips there. Maybe
some guys on this forum have the experience to point me to the right
direction.

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "cameo" <[email protected]>

| My XP PC is an old SCSI based system with a Tekram DC-390U2W controller.
| Three HDs and a CD/DVD player runs off that controller. The only drive
| that is not SCSI is a Plextor ATAPI CD-ROM drive on an EIDE
| cable, in master configuration. These drives all run fine but for the
| life of me I can't boot from the ATAPI CD-ROM drive even though I just
| about
| tried all the boot sequences in the mobo's Award BIOS that I could think
| of. I
| can boot from the SCSI CD/DVD drive but that drive is getting to be
| unreliable.

| I think somehow the SCSI adapter's built-in BIOS interferes with the
| ATAPI drive's boot process but I can't figure out how to fix it.

| I realize this BIOS related problem is not really specific to Windows XP
| but I've tried other forums before and got no useful tips there. Maybe
| some guys on this forum have the experience to point me to the right
| direction.


Update the BIOS of the motherboard.

Replace the SCSI CROM.

 

[Andrew E.]

SCSI is alot like RAID,with RAID/SATA devices running,the BIOS has to
be set for both to run together,it is'nt by default.Also,try moving the IDE
plug-in to another socket...

 

[cameo]

Update the BIOS of the motherboard.

It has the last BIOS issued for that motherboard.

Replace the SCSI CROM.

That would not be worth it in such an old system.

 

[cameo]

SCSI is alot like RAID,with RAID/SATA devices running,the BIOS has to
be set for both to run together,it is'nt by default.

I'm afraid I'm not sure how this translates to something actionable on
my system.

Also,try moving the IDE plug-in to another socket...

This one I can try when I open my case next time. I'm still looking for
"soft" methods.