MSI K8T Neo-FIS2R Motherboard and SATA issues

[overclockingoodness]

Here are my system specs:

K8T Neo-FIS2R Socket 754 Motherboard
AMD 3000+
Seagate 7200.7 80GB HDD
Chaintech 6800 vanilla
Ultra 500W PSU
Plextor 12x 712 DVD-RW drive


The system boots up fine and the SATA controller can see the SATA drive. I know that you have to install the SATA drivers before Windows can see the drive and install the OS on it.

Now, I boot up with the Windows installation disc and press F6 when prompted to install the SATA drivers in the floppy drive. BUT the installation disc just ignores the command and continues with the installation. After that, it gives me a message that I don't have any hard drives installed in the system.

Can anyone tell me what I should do to get this issue fixed?

I can't boot-up with floppy and when I noticed that MSI has a new BIOS update on its website, which fixes some SATA issues. However, according to MSI, I can't update the BIOS with a floppy disc.

Am I stuck now?

Thx and any help is greatly appreciated.

 

[overclockingoodness]

Bump.

 

[BentValve]

When you get the F6 propt during Windows install, hit it multiple times , XP can be a little deaf sometimes.
Also make sure your F-Lock on your keyboard is enabled if it has one.


You should not update the BIOS directly via a floppy ..that is just asking for trouble. Do via ram drive.
I doubt you need a BIOS update though.


Lastly its possible your SATA controller drives floppy is corrupted, download a new copy at MSI's website.

 

[overclockingoodness]

What is a RAM Drive? Is it a flash drive or USB key drive?

I have hit the F6 multiple times and my keyboard does not have a F-Lock key, but no use.

I will download the new drivers and let you know.

Other suggestions are welcome...

 

[BentValve]

Ram drive is a virutal drive that uses some of your system memory to store the BIOS on and update it from there. Its far more reliable than a floppy.

Basically you''ll boot up with a Windows 98' boot disk , load the BIOS from your floppy to the RAM drive that the 98' boot disk created ..then run the BIOS flash utility from there.