Old Motherboard, New Problem

Penth

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Mar 9, 2004
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K, I previously had 7 hard drives in this. 4x160 are onboard using an ATA/66 controller. then I have 2 x 80 in a Software RAID 1 connected to a Promise 100 controller and also a 20GB boot drive.

Then I just got a SYBA SATA card to hook up 2 new 300GB SATA drives in a RAID 1. The problem I have is that if I connect the drives to the controller, windows won't ever boot. It gets stuck after Update ESCD Successfully appears. I think it might be the boot order or something but I can't figure out a way to change it.
 

mechBgon

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Oct 31, 1999
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Is the software RAID1 the boot array, and the Promise controller is the one soldered to the mobo, rather than a plug-in card?
 

Penth

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Mar 9, 2004
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The Software RAID 1 isn't a boot array, though it is connected to the promise controller, which is soldered to the motherboard. The boot drive is 20GB on the same controller. and the new RAID 1 is plugged into a pci plug-in card.
 

mechBgon

Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
Oct 31, 1999
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I see, and I should've read your first post closer because you said that already :eek: If you go into the BIOS to the BOOT section, is the SCSI/ATA100 Boot Sequence set to boot first from SCSI? If so, try switching that to boot first from ATA100. The plug-in card, although it's SATA, is "SCSI" in the motherboard's mind because it plugs in. :confused:

*crosses fingers*


If I may say so, you're running RAID1, presumably for data security... but on an A7V? That's like wearing two seatbelts in a Ford Pinto :confused: At least, if/when the motherboard kicks the bucket, good luck getting your data off your older RAID1 array now that the controller's gone buh-bye.
 

Penth

Senior member
Mar 9, 2004
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I tried both with SCSI/ATA100 and ATA100/SCSI and neither booted. Also, the board has been stable for 4 years, so I feel pretty good about it. Anyway, the RAID 1 will be moving to an addon card and the software RAID 1 will be broken up, so I think my data should be safe either way. Assuming I can ever boot into windows with the drives on.
 

mechBgon

Super Moderator<br>Elite Member
Oct 31, 1999
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You might send a PM to Peter, who has extensive expertise in stuff like BOOT ROM address space limitations. It's possible to simply have too many thingamabobs to fit into the whatchamacalit, and then the system doesn't boot. :confused:
Also, the board has been stable for 4 years, so I feel pretty good about it.
I see you're of the optomistic persuasion :D Well, here's hoping it intends to keep going!