Any Abit KT7-RAID users here? Problems......Solved

[EvilHorace]

If so, I'm experiencing problems that I've never had before with my other PC mobos after installing one and could use some advice. I posted one 2 part concern so far in the 'general hardware' forum but no replies/ideas so far
http://www.pcabusers.net/forums/showthread.php?postid=1347#post1347.
As it stands after installing this new mobo with a T-bird 1 gig cpu, 128mb PC133 ram: I have no sound (PCI related probs with SB Live), secondary HD is inop (seems as though it tries to boot Win98 for some odd reason even though Win98 is on my primary HD (now formatted). No games install now either as do SB Live drivers from the CD-rom (either), locks during install but it installed Win98, SE update, '98 plus and other drivers off the same cd-rom drive.
I've installed all the drivers off Abits CD too, following the book so I'm opened to ideas. Anyone running this mobo?

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[Mustanggt]

I Have the KT7 non Raid And the only thing I can tell you is get all the latest drivers for you hardware and Dont use those drivers that Abit gives you the 4 in 1 drivers i only use the AGP driver and system works great.

 

[Shockwave]

Hmm, go to Via, swebsite, get latest drivers. Might also check BIOS version, I heard something about prob's witht he older BIOS's...Check Abit's website. As for sound, try putting SB in different PCI slot. Umm, also, check your BIOS to see which it is booting off of (Thats a given, I know)
Also, are you using ATA/66 or ATA/100 channels? Might try switching from one to the other if you have the right HD....Try those first, let us know....

 

[EvilHorace]

Fixed my e-mail (below), sorry.
I've DLd the 4in1 4.25 drivers as another guy I know with the same mobo suggested. I then went through all my bios settings and found a couple mistakes so I corrected that. I now have both HDs running and got the SB Live card working too BUT this thing is very unstable. I can play games previously saved on my secondary HD (like Q2) but I lost Q3 and UT in the format and I can't re-install them because this PC locks up solid during the install. I have yet to figure that out. I then tryed installing my other NIC for my home 3 PC network but just trying to reset the protocols for that this thing was locking up majorly with every boot until I finally removed that NIC (which was working fine in my old BH6 before). I'll try another PCI slot later after I feel like messin' with it again.
I'm running 2 older Maxtor HDs (probably ATA/66, one's 2 yrs old, the other's at least 1 yr older). I'm not using the mobos RAID IDE plugs for the HDs but I'm using IDE 1 for the two HDs, IDE plug #2 for the cd-rom and burner. From info I read at Pauls KT7 FAQ http://go.to/kt7faq , it's mentioned their that they recommend using the RAID IDE3 and IDE4 for all IDE HDs and cd-roms in the IDE1 and IDE2 plugs. What's anyone's opinion on that here? Might that be causing my stabilty problems or does anyone have any better ideas?

 

[Lightingguy]

Use Raid HDD connectors for HDD only. Use Non-Raid for CD/DVD drives. Install SBLive in slot 4.

BTW, get the latest BIOS updates. That solved all of my problems. Go to Apu's Hardware for the UL or UZ beta bios.

I lost lots of sleep and hair building this one but now it's cookin good, fast, and stable.

 

[EvilHorace]

Thanks Lightingguy . It's now fixed and running smoothly.
I didn't reflash the bios as it's brand spankin' new (3 days out of the box) but after reading your comment, I carefully re-read the wiring info in my manual and it does say that IDE HDs won't work unless they're plugged into their blue ribbon and plugged into the RAID #3 (or 4) plugs with cd-rom drives in IDE #1 or2. Still had to battle with that SB Live card as it doesn't work in many of those PCI slots but it's now working fine in #3 (BSOD in #4). It pays to carefully read and follow every detail in their manual with this mobo (unlike my old BH6 which was easy in comparison)