Asrock S939 Dual SATA2

[Ike0069]

I currently have two IDE drives and I need a new HD for more storage. I would like to use a SATA drive (probably a WD 16MB cache HD), but I remember there were some issues with SATA HD's and this board in the past, but I do not remember what exactly the issues were.

I plan to make the new HD the primary boot drive, but need to keep at least one of my IDE drives in service. Anyone doing this with this board, or know if it will work or not?

 

[Ike0069]

Anyone?

 

[SynthDude2001]

I use a SATA drive as my boot drive with another IDE drive for miscellaneous storage. No problems at all.

I have had some problems with the SATA controllers in the past, but I think it was just caused by outdated controller drivers - I haven't had any problems since I just decided to stick with the default drivers that come with Vista.

 

[o1die]

I couldn't get windows to recognize the sata drives on the sata II port. Use one of the sata I ports to load windows and the jmicron driver, then power down and switch the cable to sata II.

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: o1die
I couldn't get windows to recognize the sata drives on the sata II port. Use one of the sata I ports to load windows and the jmicron driver, then power down and switch the cable to sata II.

I didn't think about that (XP doesn't include any drivers for that controller by default, but it's been a while since I've used XP - or the SATA II controller for that matter).

I seem to recall though that you can also set the SATA II port to "IDE" (compatibility) mode in the BIOS, which should make the drive recognizable to Windows XP without installation of any drivers beforehand.

 

[dawgfan6]

I boot to a Raptor 150gb with an IDE drive as my main storage drive with no problems.

 

[dawp]

Originally posted by: SynthDude2001

Originally posted by: o1die
I couldn't get windows to recognize the sata drives on the sata II port. Use one of the sata I ports to load windows and the jmicron driver, then power down and switch the cable to sata II.

I didn't think about that (XP doesn't include any drivers for that controller by default, but it's been a while since I've used XP - or the SATA II controller for that matter).

I seem to recall though that you can also set the SATA II port to "IDE" (compatibility) mode in the BIOS, which should make the drive recognizable to Windows XP without installation of any drivers beforehand.

you have to install the driver when the install program ask you to press F6 to install 3rd party drivers. they were included in the cd that came with the board or, I believe you can download them from ASROCK or who supplied the controller for the SATAII.

 

[o1die]

I tried the f6 approach with a floppy; it doesn't work with windows 2k pro. With the sata I port, you don't even need to install the sata driver.

 

[Ike0069]

Ok, that answers my questions. Thanks.