Help - ECS K7VTA3 Not Detecting Drives

[helpdave]

I guess I finally got hit by a bad ECS board. Here are the specs:

MB: ECS K7VTA3 v8.0c
CPU: AMD Duron 1.6
RAM: Crucial 256mb DDR 2700
HD: Western Digital 80Gb
CDRW: Lite On 52x32x52x
PSU: PowMax 400w
VIDEO: GeforceFX 5200

I'm building two exact same computers, and they both have this same problem. When booting up the IDE drives are not found, hangs on "detecting IDE drives." Upon further inspection, the hard drive is not even booting up, but when the IDE cable is removed it boots up. So why would the hard drive spin up, but not when connected? I believe it is a faulty IDE controller. Anyone know a way to fix this? I've already tried all the jumper configs, different cables, and the hard drive does work in another PC. I could buy a PCI to IDE adapter, or should I return the motherboard? Please, any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[mechBgon]

Welcome to the Forums, helpdave

I know you said you tried all the jumper configs, but did you try this: plug the blue end of the IDE cable into the mobo, plug the Western Digital hard drive into the opposite end (not the middle), and jumper the Western Digital for "single drive," which I believe usually means removing the jumper cap altogether? Some WD drives want to be "single drive" if they really are solo on their own cable.

Good luck, post back with what happens (or doesn't)

 

[pspada]

Also, depending on the age and make of your hard drive(s), a low density 40-pin cable may not work, or the 80-pin high density cable may not work. I've found this to be particularly bad when you have a ATAPI/IDE ZIP drive in the mix, but I've also seen it with several types and models of hard drives.

In one instance, when connected, a Western Digital drive (that worked fine in every other computer) would cause one specific machine to not get past the ide detection phase of boot. Tried every setting, Primany and 2ndary controllers, everything. :frown:

 

[helpdave]

Thanks for the replies. I've been trying to fix this for two straight days. I've tried every config possible, and am about ready to do some returning. But I'm not sure what to return.

"In one instance, when connected, a Western Digital drive (that worked fine in every other computer) would cause one specific machine to not get past the ide detection phase of boot. Tried every setting, Primany and 2ndary controllers, everything."

What did you do then? Return the motherboard or the hard drive? It looks like that's the same problem I have. Does anyone have an idea why the hard drive would spin up only when the IDE cable is not connected? Maybe Western Digital just doesn't mix with ECS boards? I really want to hope the problem is fixable, but it's stressing me out, and I'm about ready to give up. Any suggestions would be great.

 

[mechBgon]

It could also be that the motherboard is grounding out on something, such as a spare motherboard fitting that needs removing. If you want to eliminate that variable, just take the motherboard back out of the case, lay it on cardboard, threaten it a little, and then try firing it up outside the case like that. If it's the same story, you might want to return that board and get something else. I probably sound like a broken record to the others around here, but if you want a budget board that's nice-quality and stable, the old Asus A7N266-VM/AA is a proven workhorse. We have a bunch of them at work and I'm the guy who would get called if they didn't work right so I've got my employer's money where my mouth is

 

[pspada]

Just a possiblity - are you using the ribbon cable that came with the mobo? If not, has it got a key? If not, try reversing one end of the cable. If it is key'ed, but did not come with the mobo, use the cable that did instead. Some mobos use cables that are keyed the reverse of the standard.

Oh, I used the Western Shittyall drive in another system, where it did work fine. But I sure has heck could not use it in that system, but as the Maxtor did work, no serious problem. That's what happens when you've got 13 or so machines to swap parts around in, luckly for me.

 

[Buz2b]

Because you have two MB's doing the same thing, most likely you're just missing something simple. Isn't that the way it always is? Been there; done that. Usually in this case it is better to start over from the beginning. I agree with the idea of using the cables that came with the board if possible. I would also pull the cable(s) and reinsert them carefully. Also try a different power connector from the PSU. Second, I would try different settings on the HDD jumpers. First try Master, then Single Drive if that doesn't work. Could you have them reversed? Recheck the settings on the WD website as they are sometimes easier to understand. Also very important is the BIOS. Is the drive detected in the BIOS? Make sure it is set to Auto Detect at first and run the Detection in the BIOS and see if it is picked up. If not, go back to the cables and/or jumpers. Just for giggles, also make sure that HDD 0 is set as first boot device in the BIOS. Last, (and I know it sounds simplistic but bear with me), check to be sure that you are using the IDE1 port on the MB to hook the HDD up. From the looks in the manual they are "keyed" so I don't think you could have the plug reversed. Just make sure your plug is snug and all the way in both the MB and the HDD. Good Luck.

 

[DarkNephree]

I know Fry's is selling these boards like crazy. My advice Helpdave, is that if you got your board at Fry's, return it. I give you my own personal assurance they won't hastle you about it. Good luck w/ everything. Sounds like a fun little sysem you got going.

 

[pspada]

But they will test it in front of you, so maybe bring your drive with you? I had one a while back that I thought was bad, but it turned out that the power switch in that case was burned out. Boy, did I feel like a moron when the Fry's drone powered it up and it booted just fine.

 

[nork]

What was the outcome of this?

 

[o1die]

Have you tried the default setting on the jumper of 100/100? I tried 4 different k7vta3 boards, and none of them posted consistantly with a duron 1.6, even at 100 fsb. They would work fine out of the case, but the minute I installed, they wouldn't post, or give 3 quick beeps and I would have to reboot. Sometimes, they would post and run perfectly on the second try. With all of these boards, I tried 2 different power supplies (enermax and enlight) and 2 video cards (mx400 and 8500LE). These boards were so flaky with this cpu that I finally gave up. This cpu will run at 166/166 with absolutely no problems, if you can get it to post properly. I have 10 years experience building systems, and this was the most difficult combo I've ever worked with. My hats off to Fry's for giving me 4 trys to make this combo work. They gave me no hassles on the exchanges.

 

[beaver]

It's a ground problem. My friend got the same problem and asked me over 10 times. Adding a isolator between screw and case. you will get it fixed.

 

[Peter]

Yep. Make sure you mount the standoffs only in places where the mainboard actually does have a mounting hole. Look at those mounting holes then. Most have a ring of blank solder around them. You do _not_ add insulating washers there. But you do add washers top and bottom at those mounting holes that do not have that ring around them.