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The_Computer_Guy

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MaxBlast 4 & Windows XP installation problems with new SATA.

I recently acquired a new Maxtor SATA, and decided to use it as the master in the computer I am building. I had to set the jumper in the back of the SATA to get it to recognize, but it recognizes fine now.

My problem is this:

Every time I try to run the Maxblast 4 CD as a boot disk, it freezes up at the same point. Usually right after I click on the option to run Maxblast installation software. During this time my floppy drive sounds like it is working itself to death, but I am running the software from CD.

Also, I went ahead to try to install windows, and even with the appropriate driver, it froze at "Setup is starting windows" every time.

I have tried setting the SATA to IDE and RAID in BIOS, but neither affected performance. My specs are as follows:

ECS PT800CE-A Rev. 1.0 Mother board
P4 Prescott 3.2gHz
2x 512MB DDR PC 2700
Maxtor DiamondMax 200GB SATA
LG DVD+/-RW
650 Watt PSU
GeForce FX 5500 PCI Video

If you need any more details, I will be more than happy to provide them.

Thanks in advance
Matthew Wadsworth
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Callandor
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Try the drive in another machine - you need to verify that the drive actually works.

If the drive is an SATA II drive, try setting the jumper on it to run in SATA I mode.
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The_Computer_Guy

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Yeah, it is a SATAII drive, I had to set it to SATA I to have my via chipset recognize it. Unfortunately, I do not have access to another machine with SATA capabilities.

What I think I may end up doing is installing windows to an IDE drive, and from there, I will set the SATA as a Slave to test it. (Looks like I am in for a day of fun).
OK, new development...

I tried running windows setup without the SATA even installed.... I want to try flashing the BIOS, but I do not have a Floppy on my laptop (which is the computer I am using now).

Can you flash a bios from CD?
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Callandor
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Flashed BIOS to no avail... tried different CDROM, nothing changed.

Update: Ran MemTest86 with no errors...
Well, I also tried with a different video card, and everything not immediately needed was disabled in BIOS. No change.

But now, BIOS is not detecting the IDE Hard Drive, I felt it, and it doesnt feel like it is getting power. I think this may be a problem with the PSU. I am going to try another PSU, and if there is still no change, I am going to try a new MB...

HEADACHES!!!

If anyone has any input, I would really appreciate it.
Tried a different power supply with the same behavior. I am in fear that it is the fault of the MB.
That's why I asked if you could try installing it in another system.  A known working drive that fails in a particular system indicates that something is wrong with the controller or power supply.
OK, I have another little detail that didn't strike me as strange until I really thought about it; hopefully this will help someone help me:

The computer will freeze when trying to boot from a CD or Floppy after a "warm boot" (using CTRL+ALT+DEL to restart or Reset switch). But after a cold boot, it boots into the CD or Floppy without issue.
BTW, I tried to run the Windows setup with SATA disabled in BIOS, and it still froze at the same place. I also tried to install Windows 2000, and I had the same issue.
You will have better luck if you forget the MaxBlast and just format with the XP install disc . . since you ha ve SATA drives, you will need the SATA installation drivers on a floppy . . just after you boot from the XP install disc, at the bottom of the screen you should see a prompt "Press F6 to load third party drivers" . . do that with the SATA install driver disc in the Floppy Drive, and the installation will load the drivers when it needs them.  

Delete any partitions MaxBlast set up and recreat them with the install disc.
I tried that as well as removing the SATA all together and trying to install on IDE only, with the same freezing problems.
I fixed it... Here's how:

Originally when I flashed the bios, I flashed to v 1.1e, but this was not the right bios. I neglected to ensure that I was using the correct PCB number.

I reflashed with 1.0c and it allowed me to install Windows.

Next I am going to try to Flash with 1.0e (don't worry, it's for the right PCB).

Thanks for the effort, I am going to give all 500pts to Callandor with an A grade because he seemed to be the only one who took any interest in this issue.
Hmmmm . .