Quick question about ATA/100...

[x0lution]

I bought a hard drive recently and couldn't get it to work on my system, the drive uses ATA/100 (it's a 40GB Caviar drive from WD, 7200RPM) and I know my mobo uses ATA/66 (it's a FIC PA2013). So do I need a new mobo to get my new hard drive working? Thanks for any info.

 

[DocDon]

Define not working. ATA100 HDs should work (be recognized by the system -- show up on CMOS) on an ATA66 controller, just not at ATA100 "speeds" (they are backwards compatible). If you want all the "speed" of an ATA100, yes you can buy a new MB, or you can buy a ATA100 controller card (such as a Promise card). For the money, it simply isn't worth it.
If the HD is not recognized by CMOS, then your MB is bad, or your HD is bad.

 

[hclarkjr]

i had that motherboard before my current one and know that you need the latest bios for it to see a ultra 100 drive. go to FIC site and get the latest bios for it and flash with it, all should work after that.

 

[x0lution]

The FIC drive page is http://www.fic.com.tw/techsupport/utilities/ficvia.htm
which driver should i download (the 4-in-1, the bus-master...)
also, if i flash the bios, then it's in the bios, right? like the update is not on the hard drive, so it shouldn't matter if i take the hard drive out that had the .exe file on it? thanks, again, for any help.

 

[hclarkjr]

you need the bios that says it fixes the ata 100 problem not a driver. it has been awhile since i had that board but it says right in the description for the bios that it fixes that specific problem

 

[Zeppy]

I've currently got the same board and the previous responses about the BIOS are right on. Great SS7 ain't it? Just wish it could handle the new video cards.

 

[x0lution]

None of the files in the BIOS page mention anything about ATA100.

The BIOS page is:
http://www.fic.com.tw/techsupport/bios/index.htm