Maxtor 7L300R0 "pri slave hdd error"

TD9 · 05-09-2008, 03:11 AM

When i first installed this drive, i set the jumper as slave and booted the pc to create and format the partition only to find that the BIOS didn't recognise the drive. I got the "pri slave hdd error" for the first time. So i removed the jumper and went with cable select. The BIOS recognised the drive, so i created the one partition and formatted and then rebooted into windows.

All was well for around a month or so, then i started to get the ocassional "pri slave hdd error" upon start-up, until eventually the BIOS wouldn't see the drive at all. I changed the cable for a new one, then the BIOS could see the drive again so as a possible solution (and due to the age of my motherboard) i split the drive into two partitions (146gb and 132gb in windows).

Again the problem went away for a while, until a few days ago. When i rebooted the drive was making thrashing noises, just like it had done prior to all the other "pri slave hdd error" message's.

No matter what i've done to try and remedy this problem, it has always come back which leads me to think that the IDE controller on the motherboard is the problem, and that a new motherboard is the only solution to this very frustrating problem.

I should add that this isn't the only slave HDD that i've had a similar problem with.

My pc spec:

OS MicroXP v0.7
Pentium 4 3.0gh
Asrock P4S61
Power supply is a 550 watt

I hope some one can shed some light on this problem, thanks.

Tumbleweed36 · 05-09-2008, 04:24 AM

So that we get a better picture, tell us exactly what drives you have on both the Primary IDE and Secondary IDE. Tell us what type of drive (assuming you are using IDE drives) each one is, where they are located (primary or secondary), how the jumpers are set, and last, where they are located on the ribbon cable. That might help us to understand the complete picture and possibly assist you.

TD9 · 05-09-2008, 04:51 AM

thanks for the reply

My primary master is a Western Digital 80gb, split into 2 partitions, one for the OS, one for games, this is set as master and is on the end of the 133 ata 80 pin ide ribbon.

The slave is a Maxtor 300gb, split into two partition, this is set as cable select and is in the middle of the 133 ata 80 pin ide cable ribbon.

I have to go out for a few hour's, if there's any other information that i can provide i can do so later

Tumbleweed36 · 05-09-2008, 05:26 AM

If you have both on one ribbon cable, you must have both set the same as far as jumpers. For example, if one is Master, the other one must be slave. If one is cable select, then both must be cable select if on the same cable. Set the main drive as Master on the end of the ribbon cable and then other as slave on the middle connector. If on separate channels (IDE primary, and IDE Secondary), then I need to know that so I can make sure you are hooked up the same way. That does make a difference, and I hope you have an 80 connector cable and not one of the 40 connector cables.

TD9 · 05-09-2008, 06:54 AM

I've just got back home and turned the pc on, and i don't see the slave, unlike this morning when i turned the pc on i could see the slave.

Yes they are both on the same IDE 0 primary, the main drive is set as master with the jumper, but the slave is set to cable select because the BIOS wouldn't pick it up when i first installed the drive.

I'll try it again with master/slave jumper settings and also cable select and report back here what happen's.

TD9 · 05-09-2008, 08:02 AM

I don't see an edit button so it's a double post, for which i apologise.

I've set the main drive as master with a jumper, and the second drive as a slave using the jumper. They are both on the same IDE 0 channel.

On start up, it doesn't recognise my slave at all.

Then i've set both the drive's as cable select with the respective jumper's in position, and the same thing it doesn't recognise the drive.

It seem's to be a configuration issue, but i think i've tried everything possible.

Maybe the Maxtor HD is one of those drive's that need's to be put as Master

I don't really want to put a HD drive on the secondary channel, so i'm thinking if i set the slave as the main master drive and the current master as the slave, then maybe that will solve the problem.

dai · 05-09-2008, 09:23 AM

the jumpers are wrong on the wd drive they have different jumper settings to the norm
single master=jumpers removed
master with slave= jumper in that position
slave=jumper in that position

TD9 · 05-09-2008, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dai

the jumpers are wrong on the wd drive they have different jumper settings to the norm
single master=jumpers removed
master with slave= jumper in that position
slave=jumper in that position

Thanks for the reply Dai, there are 10 pins on the WD drive i've tried it on pin's 1+2 for the cable select option, and the standard settings Master w/Slave present on pin's 5+6.

On both option's the slave isn't being picked up. Is there something that i've missed?

dai · 05-09-2008, 10:11 AM

your using an 80 wire cable with
blue
grey
black plugs
with master into the black
slave into grey and blue to the m/b
try a new cable

TD9 · 05-09-2008, 10:25 AM

Yes i am using an 80 wire cable, and they are all in the right place's, this is the second cable that i've used with this drive.

One thing that is for certain, i won't buy another Maxtor drive again.

thanks for the help.

dai · 05-09-2008, 10:35 AM

try it on it's own on the cable as master
and if no good d/l the maxtor diognostic utility and run it on the drive

TD9 · 05-09-2008, 12:34 PM

Ok i will do cheers Dai but it'll have to be tomorrow, i'm off out down the pub

TD9 · 05-10-2008, 10:50 AM

Sorry for the delay i got lucky

I've just tried the problematic Maxtor drive on its own, with no connection to the WD at all.

First attempt with the jumper set in the Master position, not seen anywhere at all, i eventually get the "pri slave hdd error" again.

Second attempt with the cable select option enabled via the jumper, was slightly better.

At the "Auto Detecting primary Master" stage i hear the drive clicking and can feel it working by touch. Eventually it see's the drive, and also in the BIOS it recognises the drive (but as a Sabre).

When i put my XP Pro disk in and got to the Windows XP set up screen, it doesn't see the drive at all.

I have all the data that i want from the drive already backed up, so that's not a problem.

A friend has suggested using an IDE external caddy, but if the pc isn't picking up the drive then that's not going to work, or is it?

Is there anything else i can do?

dai · 05-10-2008, 12:23 PM

did you run the diognostic on the drive

TD9 · 05-10-2008, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dai

did you run the diognostic on the drive

No sorry i haven't yet, there is an ISO image i can burn to cd? I don't have a floppy drive installed, so it will have to be the ISO.

on my way to find it

dai · 05-10-2008, 01:03 PM

http://www.majorgeeks.com/Maxtor_Powermax_d1386.html

TD9 · 05-10-2008, 02:38 PM

Thanks Dai, i got it burned to cd etc and run it the tool.

According to that tool there is no hard disk found, i installed the Maxtor as cable select and as a master, and run the test and on both ocassion's it said there is no disk found.

Surely this one can't be broke as well

dai · 05-10-2008, 03:11 PM

is it still seen by the bios

TD9 · 05-10-2008, 04:21 PM

Yes it's seen by the BIOS, but i've tried just about every jumper set up that i can try.

It take's an age for the HD to be detected during the splash screen, it still seem's to me that it's a jumper configuration issue.

Also why would it work for around 6 weeks (after i split the drive into 2 partitions) without the tiniest hint of a problem?

But prior to splitting the drive i would often get the "pri slave hdd error", i'd reboot then i wouldn't see that error for a while.

05-09-2008, 03:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
TD9 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 20 OS: xp pro	Maxtor 7L300R0 "pri slave hdd error" When i first installed this drive, i set the jumper as slave and booted the pc to create and format the partition only to find that the BIOS didn't recognise the drive. I got the "pri slave hdd error" for the first time. So i removed the jumper and went with cable select. The BIOS recognised the drive, so i created the one partition and formatted and then rebooted into windows. All was well for around a month or so, then i started to get the ocassional "pri slave hdd error" upon start-up, until eventually the BIOS wouldn't see the drive at all. I changed the cable for a new one, then the BIOS could see the drive again so as a possible solution (and due to the age of my motherboard) i split the drive into two partitions (146gb and 132gb in windows). Again the problem went away for a while, until a few days ago. When i rebooted the drive was making thrashing noises, just like it had done prior to all the other "pri slave hdd error" message's. No matter what i've done to try and remedy this problem, it has always come back which leads me to think that the IDE controller on the motherboard is the problem, and that a new motherboard is the only solution to this very frustrating problem. I should add that this isn't the only slave HDD that i've had a similar problem with. My pc spec: OS MicroXP v0.7 Pentium 4 3.0gh Asrock P4S61 Power supply is a 550 watt I hope some one can shed some light on this problem, thanks.

05-09-2008, 04:24 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 12,816 OS: XP Professional	Re: Maxtor 7L300R0 "pri slave hdd error" So that we get a better picture, tell us exactly what drives you have on both the Primary IDE and Secondary IDE. Tell us what type of drive (assuming you are using IDE drives) each one is, where they are located (primary or secondary), how the jumpers are set, and last, where they are located on the ribbon cable. That might help us to understand the complete picture and possibly assist you. __________________ ----------

05-09-2008, 04:51 AM	#3 (permalink)
TD9 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 20 OS: xp pro	Re: Maxtor 7L300R0 "pri slave hdd error" thanks for the reply My primary master is a Western Digital 80gb, split into 2 partitions, one for the OS, one for games, this is set as master and is on the end of the 133 ata 80 pin ide ribbon. The slave is a Maxtor 300gb, split into two partition, this is set as cable select and is in the middle of the 133 ata 80 pin ide cable ribbon. I have to go out for a few hour's, if there's any other information that i can provide i can do so later

05-09-2008, 05:26 AM	#4 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 12,816 OS: XP Professional	Re: Maxtor 7L300R0 "pri slave hdd error" If you have both on one ribbon cable, you must have both set the same as far as jumpers. For example, if one is Master, the other one must be slave. If one is cable select, then both must be cable select if on the same cable. Set the main drive as Master on the end of the ribbon cable and then other as slave on the middle connector. If on separate channels (IDE primary, and IDE Secondary), then I need to know that so I can make sure you are hooked up the same way. That does make a difference, and I hope you have an 80 connector cable and not one of the 40 connector cables. __________________ ----------

05-09-2008, 06:54 AM	#5 (permalink)
TD9 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 20 OS: xp pro	Re: Maxtor 7L300R0 "pri slave hdd error" I've just got back home and turned the pc on, and i don't see the slave, unlike this morning when i turned the pc on i could see the slave. Yes they are both on the same IDE 0 primary, the main drive is set as master with the jumper, but the slave is set to cable select because the BIOS wouldn't pick it up when i first installed the drive. I'll try it again with master/slave jumper settings and also cable select and report back here what happen's.

05-09-2008, 08:02 AM	#6 (permalink)
TD9 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 20 OS: xp pro	Re: Maxtor 7L300R0 "pri slave hdd error" I don't see an edit button so it's a double post, for which i apologise. I've set the main drive as master with a jumper, and the second drive as a slave using the jumper. They are both on the same IDE 0 channel. On start up, it doesn't recognise my slave at all. Then i've set both the drive's as cable select with the respective jumper's in position, and the same thing it doesn't recognise the drive. It seem's to be a configuration issue, but i think i've tried everything possible. Maybe the Maxtor HD is one of those drive's that need's to be put as Master I don't really want to put a HD drive on the secondary channel, so i'm thinking if i set the slave as the main master drive and the current master as the slave, then maybe that will solve the problem.

05-09-2008, 09:23 AM	#7 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 39,475 OS: vista 32x ultimate retail	Re: Maxtor 7L300R0 "pri slave hdd error" the jumpers are wrong on the wd drive they have different jumper settings to the norm single master=jumpers removed master with slave= jumper in that position slave=jumper in that position __________________

05-09-2008, 10:11 AM	#9 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 39,475 OS: vista 32x ultimate retail	Re: Maxtor 7L300R0 "pri slave hdd error" your using an 80 wire cable with blue grey black plugs with master into the black slave into grey and blue to the m/b try a new cable __________________

05-09-2008, 10:25 AM	#10 (permalink)
TD9 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 20 OS: xp pro	Re: Maxtor 7L300R0 "pri slave hdd error" Yes i am using an 80 wire cable, and they are all in the right place's, this is the second cable that i've used with this drive. One thing that is for certain, i won't buy another Maxtor drive again. thanks for the help.

05-09-2008, 10:35 AM	#11 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 39,475 OS: vista 32x ultimate retail	Re: Maxtor 7L300R0 "pri slave hdd error" try it on it's own on the cable as master and if no good d/l the maxtor diognostic utility and run it on the drive __________________ Last edited by dai : 05-09-2008 at 10:36 AM.

05-09-2008, 12:34 PM	#12 (permalink)
TD9 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 20 OS: xp pro	Re: Maxtor 7L300R0 "pri slave hdd error" Ok i will do cheers Dai but it'll have to be tomorrow, i'm off out down the pub

05-10-2008, 10:50 AM	#13 (permalink)
TD9 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 20 OS: xp pro	Re: Maxtor 7L300R0 "pri slave hdd error" Sorry for the delay i got lucky I've just tried the problematic Maxtor drive on its own, with no connection to the WD at all. First attempt with the jumper set in the Master position, not seen anywhere at all, i eventually get the "pri slave hdd error" again. Second attempt with the cable select option enabled via the jumper, was slightly better. At the "Auto Detecting primary Master" stage i hear the drive clicking and can feel it working by touch. Eventually it see's the drive, and also in the BIOS it recognises the drive (but as a Sabre). When i put my XP Pro disk in and got to the Windows XP set up screen, it doesn't see the drive at all. I have all the data that i want from the drive already backed up, so that's not a problem. A friend has suggested using an IDE external caddy, but if the pc isn't picking up the drive then that's not going to work, or is it? Is there anything else i can do?

05-10-2008, 12:23 PM	#14 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 39,475 OS: vista 32x ultimate retail	Re: Maxtor 7L300R0 "pri slave hdd error" did you run the diognostic on the drive __________________

05-10-2008, 01:03 PM	#16 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 39,475 OS: vista 32x ultimate retail	Re: Maxtor 7L300R0 "pri slave hdd error" http://www.majorgeeks.com/Maxtor_Powermax_d1386.html __________________

05-10-2008, 02:38 PM	#17 (permalink)
TD9 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 20 OS: xp pro	Re: Maxtor 7L300R0 "pri slave hdd error" Thanks Dai, i got it burned to cd etc and run it the tool. According to that tool there is no hard disk found, i installed the Maxtor as cable select and as a master, and run the test and on both ocassion's it said there is no disk found. Surely this one can't be broke as well

05-10-2008, 03:11 PM	#18 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 39,475 OS: vista 32x ultimate retail	Re: Maxtor 7L300R0 "pri slave hdd error" is it still seen by the bios __________________

05-10-2008, 04:21 PM	#19 (permalink)
TD9 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 20 OS: xp pro	Re: Maxtor 7L300R0 "pri slave hdd error" Yes it's seen by the BIOS, but i've tried just about every jumper set up that i can try. It take's an age for the HD to be detected during the splash screen, it still seem's to me that it's a jumper configuration issue. Also why would it work for around 6 weeks (after i split the drive into 2 partitions) without the tiniest hint of a problem? But prior to splitting the drive i would often get the "pri slave hdd error", i'd reboot then i wouldn't see that error for a while.