Help A8V Deluxe won't recognise SATA drive

[UnhappyG]

I have just built a new PC as follows:

Asus A8V Deluxe motherboard
AMD64 3500 socket 939
Radeon 9800 Pro
160 GB Western Digital SATA hard drive
1 GB Corsair RAM
Creative 7.1 soundcard
Thermaltake case and PSU

Everything works ok except that my BIOS will only recognise my Sony CD/RW - DVD as an IDE Master not my hard drive.

I have used SATA leads to connect it to the SATA 1 connector (not RAID).

When I try and load Windows XP it advises me that I have no hard drive.

I have looked at the CD that came with the motherboard and it appears that there are SATA drivers, which I've downloaded onto a floppy disk (as instructed).

I then do the following:

Boot from Windows XP disk
Press F6 (when asked) to "install third party SCSI or RAID driver"
When Windows XP setup window is generated I press "S"
I put the floppy disk into the drive and press enter.

THIS IS WHERE IT SEEMS TO BE GOING WRONG

The instructions say it should ask me to choose "WinXPPromise SATA 150TX Series Controller"

However,it actually offers me the choice of "WinXPPromise SATA 378 TM Controller", which I select.

It appears to attempt to load the file on the disk, but then seems to ask me to repeat this routine again and again without recognising my Hard Drive.

I've even tried loading drivers from the web site, with the same result.

I've installed an ordinary non-SATA Hard Drive as a test and that was instantly recognised by the system.

I really am about to go totally insane, so any help would be greatly appreciated.

[CrowdAds]

[drpino]

you need the VIA SATA drivers off the CD and not the Promise drivers. use the "makedisk.exe" application in the VIA folder off the CD to create the appropriate floppy and do what you detailed above.

[UnhappyG]

Thanks for your response.

I'm not sure if I've finally lost my mind, because I'm sure I found the VIA folder on the CD but now I can't. I should feel embarrassed by this question but am now beyond caring....

Thanks

[drpino]

i'd help you out, but can't find my A8V disc (amongst hundreds of CDs/DVDs just stacked up next to me). look hard enough and you'll find it . good luck with the build...keep us posted.

[UnhappyG]

You have already helped me considerably. I think I may have found it under:

Drivers
VIA RAID
6420 Raid
DriverDisk
MakeDisk

Does that sound correct ???

If it is, will this then work from the default BIOS with me connected to the SATA 1 connector or do I have to use the RAID facility.

Sorry to be a nuisance, but you seem to be the only person I've communicated with who actually understands my problem.

Cheers

[drpino]

yes, that is the correct location. i can't remember if the default setting for the BIOS works, but if you're not using RAID, just make sure the setting in the BIOS that is whatever the opposite of the RAID one.

please, no apology necessary. i'd be itching to get a system like that up and running asap too. good luck and, again, keep us posted on your successes and/or addtl questions you may have.

[UnhappyG]

I did exactly what you said and do you know what happened ??

IT WORKED !!!

I have just stopped celebrating just long enough to thank you for you invaluable help. I wish I had contacted you a couple of days ago.

Thanks again.

I'll let you know how I get on.

Now I need to go and apologise to my wife and children for my terrible temper tantrums.

Regard

Your friend for life.

:wave2:

[drpino]

CONGRATS!!! you're very welcome!

now give me some reputation points, LOL.