Problems getting Promise IDE interface card to work

[Bkanneg]

I have an older Dell system that apparently doesn't recognize drives larger than 200 GB. I was trying to install a 500 GB secondary drive in there, but the system won't recognize it. I have checked the Dell website, and I have the latest BIOS for my system.

Here is what I am wanting to do.

Run Win XP on the original 200 GB drive, and have the 500 GB drive on a Promise PCI IDE controller card so I can load Linux on that drive.

The problem is, the promise card isn't recognizing the 500GB drive either. Will the Promise card recognize the drive before I load any drivers to the card? Meaning, do I have to load XP on the original drive first before I can use the Promise card?

When booting up, the Promise card tries to locate the drive, but it says there is not one connected. I have tried it in all of my PCI slots also.

I would appreciate any advice.

 

[Nothinman]

If the BIOS on the card doesn't show a drive then there's nothing drivers will do to help.

 

[Bkanneg]

Thanks, but is there anything that can be done to get this 500 GB drive to work with this system?

 

[Nothinman]

If the card isn't seeing it then you probably have a hardware problem. Are you sure the drive and cable are ok? Is it getting power? Does the card see other drives?

 

[tcsenter]

Check Promise website for a BIOS update to your card and the latest drivers. What controller is it? If its older than ATA/100, then it probably doesn't support 48-bit LBA required to use drives over 137GB.

Will the Promise card recognize the drive before I load any drivers to the card? Meaning, do I have to load XP on the original drive first before I can use the Promise card?

If you want to install an operating system on the drive connected to the Promise card, you need to load proper drivers for the Promise controller during the OS boot and setup. Whether its Windows or Linux, doesn't matter.

 

[Bkanneg]

Thanks. I have the Ultra133 TX2 version of the card and it does support 48-bit LBA.

I'll see what version of the BIOS is on there and update if necessary. Then, I'll try loading the drivers when I try to install Linux on the drive.

 

[Nothinman]

Then, I'll try loading the drivers when I try to install Linux on the drive.

You won't have to mess with any drivers for Linux, the card will be supported out of the box.