MSI P965 NEO-F (intell core duo 2)

[peterdonald8]

Hi, I have installed all my hardware correctly in my computer but when
the PC boots up it doesn't notice the IDE drives (HDD or cd-r) either
at the start-up screen or in the bios. Now to this I add when I put an
old hdd (ide) in the machine the operating system loads and produces
windows with hdd and cd-r working (still states that my the pc can't
recognise my ide hardware at start-up though or in the bios). How can
I boot from cd to install my new operating system when the PC won't
recognise the ide hardware?
I searched on the msi website and the problem is known; how can
I work through this though?

 

[Frank McCoy]

Hi, I have installed all my hardware correctly in my computer but when
the PC boots up it doesn't notice the IDE drives (HDD or cd-r) either
at the start-up screen or in the bios. Now to this I add when I put an
old hdd (ide) in the machine the operating system loads and produces
windows with hdd and cd-r working (still states that my the pc can't
recognise my ide hardware at start-up though or in the bios). How can
I boot from cd to install my new operating system when the PC won't
recognise the ide hardware?
I searched on the msi website and the problem is known; how can
I work through this though?

My guess is that either you've got the IDE cables (and jumpers on the
drives) set wrong, or your BIOS isn't set to properly interrogate the
drives.

Start out, remove *ALL* but one single drive (your MASTER boot drive)
and set it to CABLE-SELECT (usually default with no jumpers; but CHECK
the settings listed on the drive itself to be sure) at the end of the
IDE cable. See if the BIOS sees the drive and boots it. Make sure you
are using the right cables for the drive and motherboard (usually the
newer cables with all the extra wires).

Once you get the first drive working, do the same with drive number two
(again cable-select) only using the middle IDE connector on the cable).

Do the same thing now with the third drive or CD-ROM.
Generally the CD-ROM (or DVD) drive should be the LAST drive in the
system. If you have only one hard-drive and one CD-ROM, that would be
the Hard-drive as MASTER on the end, and the CD-ROM as SLAVE on the same
cable hooked to IDE-0.
Next, with two HDD and one CD, the hard-drives as MASTER and SLAVE on
IDE-0, and the CD as MASTER (on the end) of IDE-1 cable.
With three HDD and one CD, two HDD on IDE-0, One as MASTER on IDE-1, and
the CD as SLAVE on IDE-1.

It usually works better that way.

If you prefer, you can set MASTER and SLAVE on each drive instead of
CABLE-SELECT (it makes things stabler; but you have to have them done
exactly right) while making sure the MASTER selected drive is on the end
of the cable and the SLAVE is the middle connector; and that there
*always* is a MASTER on the end of the cable if it's used.

In the BIOS, make sure that the proper IDE interface *is* enabled, and
that booting from same is also enabled. Next set the drive-type to
auto-select.

Disable any IDE connector in the BIOS without any drives connected; and
also disable any SLAVE IDE devices that aren't there. (This just saves
TIME when booting; keeping the BIOS from hunting for what isn't there.)
Remember to re-enable what's needed when adding more drives of any type.

 

[pcbuilder98]

Hi, I have installed all my hardware correctly in my computer but when
the PC boots up it doesn't notice the IDE drives (HDD or cd-r) either
at the start-up screen or in the bios. Now to this I add when I put an
old hdd (ide) in the machine the operating system loads and produces
windows with hdd and cd-r working (still states that my the pc can't
recognise my ide hardware at start-up though or in the bios). How can
I boot from cd to install my new operating system when the PC won't
recognise the ide hardware?
I searched on the msi website and the problem is known; how can
I work through this though?

Give link to this "known problem" at MSI site so I may read it.

If the bios completely failed to recognize any IDE device then you would
never boot and would see cryptic message like "system disk not found". Just
for curiosity try to boot from floppy. Make bootable floppy with a
functional PC.

I assume you used the same ribbon cable with either HD? This would indicate
that the ribbon cable is nominally functional. IDE cables use a 40 pin
connector but the cable may have either 40 or 80 conductors (aka wires). The
new drive will likely require a ribbon cable with 80 conductors if the drive
suports Ultra ATA/66/100/133. What is the model number of the new drive? Is
it compatible with your MB? Are the following specs supported by both the HD
and the MB: PIO modes, Ultra DMA, ATA modes. Check the MB manual. Read docs
that came with drive. If drive is OEM then visit the drive manufacturer and
download the PDF manual.

Read the MB manual and confirm that the jumpers are set correctly.

Now try this. Set the jumper on the new HD to master. Plug the HD cable into
IDE #1 on the MB. Set the jumper on CD to master and plug it into IDE #2. on
the MB. Remove all cards except the video. Your configuration should now be:
motherboard, CPU, hard drive, floppy, memory, video card, mouse, keyboard
and monitor. Now try again.
pcbuilder98

 

[pcbuilder98]

Give link to this "known problem" at MSI site so I may read it.

If the bios completely failed to recognize any IDE device then you would
never boot and would see cryptic message like "system disk not found". Just
for curiosity try to boot from floppy. Make bootable floppy with a
functional PC.

I assume you used the same ribbon cable with either HD? This would indicate
that the ribbon cable is nominally functional. IDE cables use a 40 pin
connector but the cable may have either 40 or 80 conductors (aka wires). The
new drive will likely require a ribbon cable with 80 conductors if the drive
suports Ultra ATA/66/100/133. What is the model number of the new drive? Is
it compatible with your MB? Are the following specs supported by both the HD
and the MB: PIO modes, Ultra DMA, ATA modes. Check the MB manual. Read docs
that came with drive. If drive is OEM then visit the drive manufacturer and
download the PDF manual.

Read the MB manual and confirm that the jumpers are set correctly.

Now try this. Set the jumper on the new HD to master. Plug the HD cable into
IDE #1 on the MB. Set the jumper on CD to master and plug it into IDE #2. on
the MB. Remove all cards except the video. Your configuration should now be:
motherboard, CPU, hard drive, floppy, memory, video card, mouse, keyboard
and monitor. Now try again.
pcbuilder98

I downloaded you MB manual from here:
http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?func=downloadfile&dno=4250&type=manual
After reading it I must amend my previous post.

Your MB has only one IDE port. You can only have one master and one slave on
a single IDE port. The master is always the bootable drive that has (or will
have) the OS installed. Since a CD or DVD burner is usually a master you may
not be able to use it as a burner. You will have to set the jumpers to slave
and use it as CD reader only. A better choice would have been to buy a new
SATA HD and then put the CD burner on the IDE port as a master with the old
IDE HD on the same port as a slave. Due to this limitation I would not
consider your MB a good candidate to support legacy hardware like IDE
devices. Sorry about this bad news.

You must use DDR2 (aka dual channel) memory. You must use two DIMMS of the
same size. The first set of DIMMS must go in slots 1 & 3.

Check the BIOS. When the PC boots press the delete key to enter the BIOS.
Use the arrow keys to highlight an item and then use the + or - keys to
select the value you want. Enter the Standard CMOS Features screen. In the
Standard CMOS Features select IDE Primary Master. Now use the + or - key to
select Auto Detect. Now press the enter key. If detection was successful the
remaining fields will be populated. Now move to Floppy Disk and select 1.4M,
3.5in. Exit and save the BIOS settings. Boot up will now continue. If you
changed something by mistake hit escape and exit the BIOS setup. Do not save
the changes. Allow boot up to continue. Now reboot and reenter the BIOS to
make your new selections. If you make too many changes and are unsure of
what you did then select Load Fail Safe Defaults. Now reboot, reenter the
BIOS and begin again. Now try to install your OS.
pcbuilder98