XP not booting after inserting IDE disk

[firesnapper]

I searched around on the web for anything relevant, but it seems like I didn't use the right keywords as I couldnt find anything (or it really is difficult to find).

I have Windows XP installed on 1 of 2 SATA drives within my Desktop computer (no IDE drives connected, not even a CDrom). Windows XP boots without any problems.
I insert an IDE hardrive, Windows logo appears and stays there forever at bootup (lots of hardisk activity). Since nothing happens I force the computer to restart and Windows doesnt boot up this time, instead an error appears (Windows error). Now Windows the install is useless, and I have to reinstall the entire system (installation can be done on any HDD).

Before I inserted the IDE drive I had 2 SATA drives installed. In BIOS the SATA drives where showing as Disk 0 and 1. After I connect the IDE HDD the IDE drive was now showing as Disk 0 in BIOS and the SATA as Disk 1 and 2.
Is it possible to make the IDE-disk show as disk 2?


I think that Windows tries to fix the issue but fails during first boot after the hardware addon. Possibly a hack in boot.ini or MBR would be the solution/workaround?
Any knowledge of an MBR-editor that can be booted from a CD/disquette?

Would it be possible to fix this issue in the BIOS?

In short words, what has to be taken into account when combining SATA and ATA drives on the same system?
And what to do in case one wants to insert an IDE drive or SATA drive later on after OS is installed?

 

[deathwalker]

This may be a bios problem with drive setups.

 

[sswingle]

Windows is getting confused because its boot drive isn't the same drive anymore. Put your install cd in and do a repair install.

Recovery console should work too, thats how you fix your MBR

 

[humanure]

how is your boot order configured in the BIOS? in the setup, you should be able to set the correct drive as the first boot device.

 

[mrfatboy]

A guy at fry's told me that if you have IDE and SATA in the same computer the IDE has to be the boot drive.

Is this true or just another guy that doesn't know what he is talking about?

 

[deathwalker]

Originally posted by: mrfatboy
A guy at fry's told me that if you have IDE and SATA in the same computer the IDE has to be the boot drive.

Is this true or just another guy that doesn't know what he is talking about?

He's full of crap!!

 

[mathew7]

Originally posted by: deathwalker

Originally posted by: mrfatboy
A guy at fry's told me that if you have IDE and SATA in the same computer the IDE has to be the boot drive.

Is this true or just another guy that doesn't know what he is talking about?

He's full of crap!!

Not necesarily. He just gave you a preventive answer to save you of future trouble. Depends of his emphasis on HAS.

I also had this problem on an Abit 865PE. I used 2 80G HDD's on SATA and an optical drive on secondary IDE. But when I plugged-in my IDE HDD (pri. master), the BIOS always made it the 1st drive. The only way of making so the plugged drive does not become drive 1 is to have another IDE HDD already set as 2nd or 3rd drive. I even e-mailed Abit about this, but I only got a "thank you" reply with some instructions for newbies.
My conclusion was that when the BIOS see a new "category" of HDD, it remaps to the default order (IDE, SATA, USB). But if you already have an IDE HDD, it does not remap everything.
So I guess you'll have to do like I did: I set the "HDD change notification" in BIOS, and every time I plugged-in my IDE HDD I entered BIOS and changed the order manualy. When I removed the IDE, I just continued at the message.
BTW: my BIOS was award on Abit IS7.

 

[Slammy1]

I have an IDE drive for storage with S-ATA for my primary, just have to select boot order in BIOS. Now my friend has a Promise Controller on an older system that will not accept a drive on the controller as the primary drive unless I set all drives connected to the motherboard as slave. Definite PITA.

 

[dreamx]

the newer installed ide harddisk is automatically set as the boot disk after you installed it..

just go bios and change your sata disk back to bot disk

 

[firesnapper]

Thanx for all those fast replies (I'm sorry for my own delay).

Hmm, seems like there is no standard that the MoBo manufacturers follow, since not every case is identical.

The risk is: in order to find out if it's working or not as it should you've got to boot, and in case it doesn't work you've got to repair Windows. Is there not an easier way that is less risky/timetaking than booting up Windows (timetaking when Windows actually doesn't boot up)?

BTW: when you make backups, using Powerquest Drive Image 2002
of the entire Windows drive, will the MBR be backed up as well?