I can't figure SATA out :(

[Meta|Gear]

Okay long story short i just bought a new pc put the parts together and now im trying to install windows on my 36 raptor sata and either im doing something wrong or the mobo isnt detecting the drive. I have booted off the xp cd and pressed f6 to go through scsi/raid ooptions and get a list of 4 options (NVIDIA RAID Class driver, NVIDIA NForce Storage Controller, SiI 3114 softRAID 5 Controller for XP, SiI 3114 softRAID 5 Controller for Win 2000) none of them work im not even using raid so i dont see how this would even work.

*PS - I have never used a sata drive before thats why im so lost.

edit - I have followed this guide (http://www.hothardware.com/forum/messageview.cfm?catid=18&threadid=22321&enterthread=y) word for word and windows is still not finding the hard drive

[Cafe_333]

Post the model of your motherboard for other RFDers to better help you.

I know that on some new motherboards you have to enable the Sata ports on the motherboard in the bios. Make sure you do this first.

Make sure that the bios detects your harddrive during POST before proceeding to an XP install. If it doesn't, refer to your manual on how to create a single disk array.

Anyway your mobo should come with the right drivers already. If it didn't come with one on a floppy, boot with the cd that came with your motherboard and it should boot into a dos menu with an option to create the sata drivers disk.

I should also note that some mobos are picky about having something in the primary ide channel set as a master when you are trying to get a Sata hdd to detect. So avoid doing anything with IDE for the time being at least untill you can get your harddrive to detect.

[Meta|Gear]

comp specs are in my sig, the post isnt detecting the hard drive at all, ill try booting with the mobo cd and see what happens.

[hamhead]

i had this mobo. u need to enable SATA in the bios, then it will be detected.

[Meta|Gear]

where do i enable it? im getting lost very easily in the bios, its huge

[Cafe_333]

Not even detecting in POST? then for sure it's your bios you got to deal with - not even the drivers yet. As hamhead and I have suggested, you have to enable Sata in your BIOS settings first.

[Cafe_333]

where do i enable it? im getting lost very easily in the bios, its hugeRead the MANUAL.... not everyone who is on RFD at this time happens to have the same mobo to look for it in their own bios for you (let alone are sober enough to help, hahaha) :D

If you're lazy, look for it in your BIOS - it's there somewhere. And i'm sure the bios is laid out in some logical way for you to find it. Otherwise, refer to your manual.

Btw, I do hope you got DFI because you plan to OC your stuff - otherwise if you don't plan on OCing anything, going with DFI is pretty much pointless. You may then want to consider exchanging your mobo with something simpler and less headaches, like an Asus.

[Meta|Gear]

Im not lazy and trust me the manual isnt helpful okay ive looked

[Cafe_333]

Relax, I understand that your board is putting you through all kinds of crap, but I was never insinuating that you are lazy. :) Anyways, I know how manuals can at times not be very helpful, but everything you need to know is there - and you'll eventually find it. Take the time and read it all the way through if you need to. Otherwise you can go through every single menu option in the BIOS till you find it. Else, wait for someone with the same mobo to come on and help you - if and whenever that will be. I'm sorry I can't be of any more help.

[Meta|Gear]

didnt mean to sound testy, im at my wits end with this sata poop but i have gone through the manual and frankly its quite basic which is pretty sad.

[AudiDude]

I am downloading the manuals for your mobo right now. Which SATA connectors are you using? The ones near the bottom (SATA 5 to 8), or the ones closest to the floppy connectors (SATA 1 to 4)?

The 1 to 4 SATA require the NVidia Drivers, while the connectors beside th SI 3114 chip (SATA 5 to 8) require the Silicone Image drivers. First determine where you have plugged in the drive. Then make an appropriate driver disk using the utilities on your mobo CD.

You need to get into your BIOS and go to standard CMOS features ,if you are using SATA 1 to 4. Here you will find your drive listed, if you don't, you are using the wrong SATA connectors.

You only have one SATA drive, so you should be using the NVidia drivers and SATA connector 1. Go into the BIOS and select to Integrated Peripherals option. From there go to IDE Function set up and make sure the option for Serial-ATA 1 is enabled. This should make sure you see the drive.

So make sure you use SATA connector one and make sure SATA one is enabled and you should see the drive. If you do, you are only an F6 and driver disk away from windows.

Hope this helps.

[DaFonz]

Im not lazy and trust me the manual isnt helpful okay ive looked

You obviously didn't look hard enough.. I just downloaded it and a quick look at the table of contents revealed.. oh wait..

Page 18 tells you where to plug it in

Page 92 tells you exactly how to enable or disable the SATA ports on the NV4 Chipset

If you aren't running raid, then you need the storage driver, not the raid.

[NiMSo]

Don't you need to install your SATA drivers off a floppy diskette immediately prior to Windows installation?...

[Cafe_333]

Yes he'll need the sata drivers no matter what for the windows install. But if you've read the thread, the drives weren't even detecting during POST. So the problem were his settings in his bios - where sata needed to be enabled. DaFonz hit the nail right on the head on the solutoin to the op's problem.

[Canadianpsycho]

Integrated Peripherals -> RAID Config -> Disable
Genie BIOS -> Internal Phy SATA 1/2 and 3/4 (Scroll down to the bottom) Enable
You can enable the 3114 also if you want. Mine is disabled.

[Meta|Gear]

You obviously didn't look hard enough.. I just downloaded it and a quick look at the table of contents revealed.. oh wait..

Page 18 tells you where to plug it in

Page 92 tells you exactly how to enable or disable the SATA ports on the NV4 Chipset

If you aren't running raid, then you need the storage driver, not the raid.
Sorry i never thought about downloading the manual, the manual that i get from dfi doesnt have the info.

Integrated Peripherals -> RAID Config -> Disable
Genie BIOS -> Internal Phy SATA 1/2 and 3/4 (Scroll down to the bottom) Enable
You can enable the 3114 also if you want. Mine is disabled.

... thank you! Post now recognizes the hd (thank god)

EDIT - Thanks for everyones help, even those i seem to have irritated :D

[Canadianpsycho]

No problem.

For the record, the printed DFI manual supplied is poop. They have a full version of it on the driver CD.