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OK, SCSI probs again... need help desperately --- FIXED IT

V

VFAA

Golden Member
I've been here before asking questions and seeking help. When I thought I had all the good parts and was ready to go, nothing was achieved.
Here's what my SCSI server is made of:

CPU: Intel® Celeron 500MHz
Motherboard: Intel® CA810
Memory: 512 MB of Kingston PC133
Hard Drive: IBM 9.1 GB @ 10020 RPMS
Video Card: Integraded
CDROM Manufacturer & Model: Plextor PX-32TSi
SCSI Card: - Tekram DC-395UW SCSI PCI

Now, everything is installed in the case and should work fine. The CDROM doesn't need a terminator as it has active termination jumper and works great. But here's where I'm choking on for the past month, the hard drive. First, I installed the SCSI cable that came with my SCSI card on it and later on added a terminator at the end of the cable. Also set HDs ID on my SCA Connector to #2 (CDROM is set on #3). So I turn it on and think that I finally got it working but what's this?! After the system posts (CPU type, RAM yadda yadda) it takes me to the next step which is my SCSI card's BIOS. Except the PC locks up right there and doesn't do anything. I switched the cable that I bought for $40 (it came with a terminator) and placed it in the spot of the old one. Of course I also put the terminator at the end. SHould work right? No, not going. Same problem. It locks up. I'm pulling my hair out, checking all the jumpers, cables, connectors, I even vacuumed inside of it, and still can't find the problem. But wait, I remove the terminator and it doesn't lock up anymore, detects fine in the SCSI BIOS but it doesn't detect outside of the BIOS... guess what happens? You got it, it locks up! GEEEEZ! I don't know what I'm doing wrong or what's going on. I'm not a SCSI expert either. I probably need one of them IDIOT'S Guide To SCSI book lol (if such a thing exists). Please anyone, if you have any suggestions, comments or ideas than please tell me.

Thank you
 
What is the model number of the hard drive? Is it LVD or SE? Does it lock up if you remove the hard drive and cable and just leave the CDROM connected or does it lock up even with just the cd rom connected?
 
If you expect to boot off your SCSI drive, set the ID to 0 or 1. Because you only have one drive set the ID on the drive and not the SCA connector. In any case make sure it is only set one place or the other. Make sure that the SCA connector is the correct one.
 
The model number of the HD is: IBM Ultrastar 9ZX, 9,11GB, 10020 RPM, 68 pin... The SCA Connector came with it so I assume it's the right one.
Also, the HD only locks up when I have the terminator installed at the end of the cable. If I remove the terminator, the SCSI Card's BIOS will detect the HD when I run the BIOS but will not detect it outside of BIOS. I'll try what dkozloski suggested with the IDs. One more thing, I don't have anything IDE except the floppy drive. SO, as my first boot device in my Motherboards BIOS, do I have to select the option "Boot From SCSI"?

Thanks
 
Nope, dkozloski idea didn't work... I'm still having the problem... Someone please spare my SCSI parts as I'm about to smash it with a hammer and flash it down the toilet.

UPDATE: If it helps, the HDs model # is DGVS09Y

And the HD is SE I believe... while my cables and the terminator have marks of LVD... Am I screwed? Do I need older types of cables with an older terminator?
 
Make sure you have nothing connected to the external connector on the controller. Go into bios and set to boot to SCSI and set CMOS settings for all Primary and secondary IDE to NONE. Go into controller bios and set termination to Auto. Enable bios scan, Int 13 support, and for now disable bootable CDROM support. Remove ALL jumpers on the SCA adaptor and terminate the end of the cable. Then bootup and see what happens.
 
If mastertech01's idea doesn't work, disconnect the internal cable as well. Make sure that you have the latest BIOS in your motherboard because some compatability issues are around with Intel motherboards and SCSI cards. I have had to do flashes on SCSI cards to old BIOS versions to cure lockup problems with AMI Megaraid and Mylex raid cards. Don't give up yet. One such problem took me about two months of solid work to find the answer.
 
Sorry for the late reply but I couldn't find any spare time...
None of your suggestions worked guys. I truly appreciate your time and help on this issue.
I went to Intel's web site to get the latest BIOS update for my mobo but for some reason I can't flash it. The latest BIOS seem to have some SCSI fixes. The problem is that I don't even know how to flash this mobo. I've read the Intel's instuctions, made a bootable diskette and placed the new BIOS update on it, along with everything else that I was instructed to. After the mobo posts, the floppy is not recognized as bootable. Tells me to put another bootable one. I'm frustrated. I unplagged everything, the CDROM, the HD, the SCSI card and only have the floppy connected to the mobo. I also set the 1st boot device to floppy for time being. Nothing works. Even placed my old Windows 98 start up disk inside and still wouldn't be recognized as bootable. Must be the mobo's BIOS screwing with me or something. I have an AOpen AX59 Pro mobo + AMD K6-2 400MHz processor lying around... i'll try to switch the mobos and cpus... Maybe the Intel mobo is weird and flunky. I'll report when I give that a try but I'm open to any other suggestions 🙂.

Thanks,
 
Ok, I've switched the processors and the motherboard and I still experienced the same problem. Something is wrong. I don't think I'm doing anything wrong as I've tried every possiblility and still nothing. Either the SCA HD Connector is BS or cables or.... I don't know, I'm stupid and I've missed something.
Anyway, as I didn't want to throw this damn juke box off my balcony I took it to my local PC shop. Guys there told me they'll look at it and try to figure out what's wrong. Hopefully they have more luck that I do. I'll let everyone know when I get the PC back tomorrow what they accomplished, so maybe this problem can be prevented on other's PC in the future 🙂.
 
They've fixed it. It was my SCSI card. I bought a Tekram as it was much more cheaper from Adaptec but it just doesn't work. Never buying Tekram again!
Guy in the store replaced it to Adaptec 2940 and the problem is gone.
SCSI works.

Thanks to everybody, mastertech01 & dkozloski especially for trying to help 🙂.
 
might have been a config problem with the tekram, or the card's bios may have needed updating. I have used several Tekram cards in the past, and they were pretty solid units.

Resinboy
 
Glad you got it up and running. I have lots of spare parts here for my SCSI stuff, because sometimes you can only pinpoint the problem with substitution. But I would rather replace one part than a motherboard with a bad IDE controller.. 🙂
 
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