Stuck at bootup. Help!!

[Team Spicoli]

Hello,

I have a Gateway GM5088 desktop computer which I am attempting to replace the stock HDD with a WD Blue 1 TB Desktop Hard Drive: 3.5 Inch, 7200 RPM, SATA 6 Gb/s, 64 MB Cache - WD10EZEX.

I have installed a PCI to 2 SATA RAID Silicon Image Sil3112 3112 Card Adapter Converter
because the mobo doesn't have SATA ports.

After booting up the computer, and pressing either <F2> to access the BIOS and/or <F10> to access the boot up menu, the only screen that appears states to "Press (CTRL-S) or F4 to enter Raid utility." The new WD HDD is recognized by name only, doesn't show the size of the HDD, and there is a blinking cursor at the end, but I simply can't do anything to get passed this screen.

I'm using a wireless keyboard which i've read may be causing a problem when pressing the F2/F10 functions, or possibly the unused SATA port on the adapter card needs to be disabled via the BIOS, however I can't access the BIOS.

So, I'm at a loss because I just need to install the OS onto the new HDD. Any help is greatly appreciated!!

Thank you!!

 

[Matt1970]

I just looked at 4 different pictures of the motherboard for that computer and there are 2 SATA ports right by your IDE connectors.

 

[Virgorising]

I just looked at 4 different pictures of the motherboard for that computer and there are 2 SATA ports right by your IDE connectors.

Yep. "R"

http://support.gateway.com/s/MOTHERBD/Intel2/WMEOEMD945GPBG1/WMEOEMD945GPBG1mv.shtml

 

[Ketchup]

I am seeing the same thing. Just use those.

 

[Team Spicoli]

I apologize, obviously I have alot to learn! Can't wait to get home and check the mobo out! I'll follow-up later.
Thank you and take care everyone!

 

[Team Spicoli]

Out of curiosity though, what is prompting the computer to get stuck at the RAID utility screen after booting up?

 

[Ketchup]

Out of curiosity though, what is prompting the computer to get stuck at the RAID utility screen after booting up?

The card supports RAID, so if you are not entering the BIOS, that would be the next part. Your drive would probably work if you configure it in the card's utility.

 

[Team Spicoli]

But the only way to configure the card's utility would be to access the cards BIOS correct? But I can't even access the mobos BIOS. That's where I'm perplexed. I'm wondering if it's because I'm using a wireless keyboard?!

 

[Virgorising]

I apologize, obviously I have alot to learn! Can't wait to get home and check the mobo out! I'll follow-up later.
Thank you and take care everyone!

STOP! WHY IS IT some people think they have to apologize for not yet knowing what they are on their way to learning?

Maybe related to who why some guys can't have the simple joy of asking for directions, ya think?

If we din learn every second, where would the adventure be?

NO, NOT THE SUPERBOWL!!!!!

 

[Ketchup]

But the only way to configure the card's utility would be to access the cards BIOS correct? But I can't even access the mobos BIOS. That's where I'm perplexed. I'm wondering if it's because I'm using a wireless keyboard?!

Some of the older BIOSes don't play nice with USB.

 

[Virgorising]

Some of the older BIOSes don't play nice with USB.

But isn't the important thing his board HAS SATA ports? Why we still obsessing over the PCI card? Why can't he just hook up the new drive normally to one of those and turn its controller on and then have a cannoli?

 

[Steltek]

But the only way to configure the card's utility would be to access the cards BIOS correct? But I can't even access the mobos BIOS. That's where I'm perplexed. I'm wondering if it's because I'm using a wireless keyboard?!

You'll probably need a PS2 or USB keyboard to access the system BIOS - a wireless keyboard doesn't normally get initialized early enough in the boot process for you to be able to use it to enter the BIOS. If you don't have one, any cheapo PS2 or USB keyboard should do as the only time you'd need it is when you have to get in to the BIOS.

As others have pointed out, though, you don't need the add-in card if you use the SATA ports on the motherboard. You may need to get in the BIOS to activate or configure the port, though, so you are going to have to address the keyboard issue first.

 

[Virgorising]

You'll probably need a PS2 or USB keyboard to access the system BIOS - a wireless keyboard doesn't normally get initialized early enough in the boot process for you to be able to use it to enter the BIOS. If you don't have one, any cheapo PS2 or USB keyboard should do as the only time you'd need it is when you have to get in to the BIOS.

As others have pointed out, though, you don't need the add-in card if you use the SATA ports on the motherboard. You may need to get in the BIOS to activate or configure the port, though, so you are going to have to address the keyboard issue first.

Excellent! I forgot about the KB issue.