A7N8X Dlx v2.0 doesn't see SATA HDD

[savx]

I've been searching the web for over a day know, and beginning to think that I need different SATA cables.

Current PC config:
A7N8X Deluxe v2.0 MB (1007 BIOS)
Athlon 1800+
1 Maxtor 80GB HDD (PATA HDD0)
1 CDRW
1 Floppy drive
WinXP Pro

Problem: I installed two WD SATA drives in my computer the other day to setup a RAID0 config, but my motherboard doesn't seem to recognize the drives at all.

I tried to do a fresh WinXP install on the SATA by disconnecting the PATA drive and having the ASUS downloaded SATA drivers on a floppy but it didn't work: no drives where recongnized!

Also, during boot up, when I get to the SiliconImage Serial RAID setup, it says no drives recognized.

I'm not sure what the problem is. I'm using new WD PowerConnect dual data/power cables (so not sure if there is an issue w/ the cables themselves). Anyways, I just order 2 SATA data cables just to see if that is the cause.

Anyone else had similar problems. (And, no, I don't have another system that I can test the SATA drives with).

 

[imported_Bunter]

I'm not familiar with the WD PowerConnect cables. The SecureConnect cables are very good, but are only for data.

Are the drives spinning?

 

[savx]

You can see more info on the powerconnect cables here

I don't think the drives are spinning (didnot hear them, but I also did not put my ear right next to them).

I want to make sure its not the Mobo/cables before I call WD support line.

 

[imported_Bunter]

Those are Secure Connect cables. I doubt that they are the problem. They have nothing to do with power, though. Confirm you are using separate power connectors from the power supply?

 

[savx]

I got the cable name mixed up, I guess it is the secure connect one that has both power and data going thru it.

And it clearly says on the drive to either use the sata or old molex type power but not both at the same time, otherwise the drive maybe damaged.

 

[OLtimrNewbie]

Did you get the Sil3112 drivers installed at the F6 request ( at the beginning of the XP install)? If you didn't; the O/S won't find the drives a little further into the install. Error message something like: " No installed HDD's found". But sounds more like a power problem to the drives.

 

[imported_Bunter]

I hate to be a pest, but the Secure Connect does not do power, only data. Go to the Western Digital link for the connection diagram.

I've used several of these and you need to use the power connector from your power supply.

 

[savx]

Ok, here are the physical installation instruction from WD for SATA drives:

link

NOw, the secure connect cable when pluged into the sata wd drive, it covers both the sata power connect and data connect sides.

I'm just a little hesitant to connect the legacy power too.

 

[imported_Bunter]

Understand your hesitancy, but the legacy power connection is the only power the drive will get. The connector on the Secure Connect does indeed cover the SATA power plug, but it does not provide a hot connection to it.

Look at it this way, there is only one connection on the non-drive side of the cable. It only plugs into the SATA socket on the motherboard. There are seven edges in that connector, 3 grounds, two transmits and two receives. There is no power in that connector. That's why step three in the instructions says to connect it to the power supply.

 

[jiffylube1024]

Originally posted by: savx
Ok, here are the physical installation instruction from WD for SATA drives:

link

NOw, the secure connect cable when pluged into the sata wd drive, it covers both the sata power connect and data connect sides.

I'm just a little hesitant to connect the legacy power too.

If you read the reader reviews on Newegg it answers your question right there.

Newegg

These things are extra secure, they almost snap in. But they block the low-consumption SATA power connector port so you HAVE to use Molex power. It's forced me to use 2 molex power ports for my 2 WD Raptor 36.7's which not only wastes the 2 SATA power connectors I have, but eats up an addition 2 molex connectors.

These cables are ONLY data, not power. Although the block the SATA power ports, they do not actually provide power to them.

Where would they be pulling power from anyway? The motherboard's SATA ports? Not likely - the SATA ports themselves can't supply enough power to run one (or more) hard drives!!

 

[savx]

Originally posted by: Bunter
Look at it this way, there is only one connection on the non-drive side of the cable. It only plugs into the SATA socket on the motherboard. There are seven edges in that connector, 3 grounds, two transmits and two receives. There is no power in that connector. That's why step three in the instructions says to connect it to the power supply.

Well, there were too many things that made me shake my head:

1) The WD SecureConnect not only cover the SATA power connectors on the drive, but it actually has copper contact that make some electrical connection to the drive's SATA Power Connectors. So why would WD do that w/ such "special" cables if it's not supply power. Are they balancing the ground reference points for better I/O performance?

2) I'm still new to working w/ SATA, and was a little skeptical of the SecureConnect cables able to draw 8+ watts for each drive from the motherboard?!?!?!? (USB can do only 500mA max).

3) WD states CLEARLY in several places AND on the RAPTOR's drives themselves to DO NOT connect both SATA Power AND legacy power at the SAME time or "sever damage may occur to the drive".

4) I just paid top dollars for HDD, and not looking for some WD support person to tell me that I voided my warranty becuase I connected the drives to one too many power cables!

5) This the most hassle I've experienced installing a HDD, WD should do better especailly when it comes to "Enterprize SATA Drives"

Thank you for the info. I'm waiting for my cheap SATA cables to get here, then I'll try the legacy power.