mattinsocal8911

Hi there everyone, I am having a problem with a drive dissapearing after so many hours of operation(1/2 to 3 hours). In my PREVIOUS install with RAID 0 I had a hard drive (SATA 2) on the other controller that dissapeared at times leaving a trail of error messages. I thought Oh its just a bug that will go away with a reinstall. Fast forward to the next fresh install on a new Seagate hard drive 500 GB with 12 MB of cache. I did the updates then stopped about 5 - 6 updates short. The next time I started the PC it would not get past the last boot screen. It just hung there like a dope waiting...OK so I tried rebooting a number of times and I found that it would not detect the Seagate drive C:. Not detecting the drives was my clue, so I first disconnected the Western digital SATA 2 that is the backup drive, no success on reboot. Ok so I switched the hard drive connectors for both the SATA 2 drives, with a successful boot(YEAH). I noticed hard drive activity while not doing anything. Next, the Western Digital drive dropped off the map. And followed by a Blue screen STOP error. I am starting here as this seems like the best place to start as it involves a hard drive malfunction. However, at this time I suspect a controller issue.
System Specs.
Win XP home SP 2
running on: GA-8i945P-G gigabyte mobo
HD: seagate 500 GB, WD 160 GB, WD 160 GB on the RAID controller(one drive at this time but plan to add another for gaming drive RAID 0).
MEMORY: 1024 MB
VIDEO: 8800 GTS 640 MB OC (good room heater)
158 driver (outdated I know but 3DMARK requires it for testing)
BIOS UPDATED to f11
Thanks in advance ...

eneles

Hi

What was the error message?

Attach a few mini dumps in zip format to your post.
The dump files are located in \Windows\Minidump.

If there are no minidumps:

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click System.
3. Click the Advanced tab, and then click Settings under Startup and Recovery.
4. In the Write debugging information list, click Small memory dump (64k).

How to post an attachment.

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mattinsocal8911

Ok the error messages that are in the Event Viewer-System section are as follows:
(This is after I switched the SATA data cables and the info may be off)
Warning w/yellow triangle..An error was detected on device\Device\Harddisk0\D during a paging operation repeated 76 times total.
Warning "" The device, \Device\Ide\IdePort2,did not respond within the timeout period. 4 times
Warning "" The system faile to flush data to the transaction log. Corruption may occur.
Error w/red sign The device 'WDC WD1600JS-00MHB0' (IDE\DiskWDC_....(I am thinking IDE? I thought it was SATA 2?) )dissapeared from the system without first being prepared for removal.
Error w/red sign The driver detected a controller error on \Device\Harddisk1\D.

Note there are two SATA 2 Hd and one IDE on the RAID controller IT8212 ATA RAID controller.)

The stop error is: STOP: 0x000000F4 (0x00000003, 0x86273540, 0x862736B4, 0x805D11F8) Beginning dump of phisical memory then it restarted after 20- 30 seconds of blue screen total time.

Sorry could not find the minidump:(
Then when i do the last thing about click on mini dump I get the message that there is no page file for C. But, there is it is system managed. Maybe i should reset the page file? or add more space?

eneles

The WD1600JS-00MHB0 is a SATA drive.

Yes, change the pagefile to static - 1.5 GB min/max size.
Run chkdsk /r on all 3 drives.

Set the onboard SATA controller to IDE mode in BIOS.

Which connector is the IDE drive hooked up to on the mobo?

What power supply do you have?
Check the voltages and temperatures with SensorsView.

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mattinsocal8911

OK, in response to your earlier question about error messages I have more info. I have had three more BSOD in 24 hours, with a new error message like this "Kernel_Stack_Inpage_Error" STOP: 0x00000077 etc etc...

Still no Mini Dump file at all,(even looked in hidden files).
I changed the page file for seagate C: to 1500 MB which is also 1.5 GB right? Also, will run chkdsk / R on drives next.

While attempting to examine the OB SATA controller settings I noticed something strange. Under Standard CMOS Features section in BIOS..
this is shown...
date and time
IDE Channel 0 Master [Pioneer DVD......]
IDE Channel 0 Slave [None]
IDE Channel 2 Master [BzBzBzBzBzBzBzBzBzBz]
IDE Channel 2 Slave [None]
IDE Channel 3 Master [ST3500320AS]
IDE Channel 3 Slave [None]
this is the first time I have seen this...

Then on the next page where I choose the Boot priority I see this:
Ch2M : BzBzBzBzBzBzBzBzBzBz (11 times)
SCSI :WDC WD1600JB-00REA0 (the IDE on ITE's IT8212 ATA RAID controller)
ch3M :St3500320AS (this should be first, so I move it up to first boot position)

As far as the OnBoard SATA controller here are my options:
Noncombined mode (never tried it)
Combined mode (tried it )
Disabled (never tried it)
Auto mode (works OK if its the setting used on install?)
Enhanced mode(This allows the most hard drive options available and this is the setting that I used to install the OS)
more shown under this option I guess its the map for the drives?
PATA IDE set to ch0 M/S
SATA Port 0/2 set to ch2 M/S
SATA Port 1/3 set to ch3 M/S

Question no. 2
So to try to Set the OB SATA controller to IDE mode which one would I choose. Just looking at this screen makes me think its already in IDE mode. Also, Is IDE mode better faster??? I am a little confused here. Maybe I need to study controllers more.?

Question no. 3
The WD IDE HD is connected to the green IDE 2 connector on the MOBO that is part of the ITE IT8212 ATA RAID Controller setup. I pressed f6 at first install to load the drivers for this device from floppy.

Question no. 4
Athena Power EPS-12V 550W switching power supply

Question no. 5
Voltages are:
VcoreA 1.33v
VCoreB 1.81v
+3.3v 3.23v
+5v 6.85v
+12 11.70v
+5vSB 6.85
+VBAT 4.08
Temps are:
CPU- 32C /90 F
GPU- 50C /122 F Yes i know its hot!!
SYS- 0C
AUX- 0C
HDO- 28C
one hard drive is missing now. no temp avail..
other hard drive may not be detected on the ATA RAID controller.
Note about the western digital SATA 2 it was not cooperating at all so I was forced to disconnect it tempararily to do my work. Everything seems ok so far (one hour so far)..

Could I substitute the speed fan for any of these temps and volts or is this program a good investment? for Trouble shooting? Thanks again

eneles

The 77 error is basically the same as the F4 - with one exception: Malware warning.

Use IDE1 for the PATA HDD.

BIOS >> Integrated peripherals >> SATA RAID / AHCI Mode >> Disabled (sets the onboard SATA controller to IDE mode).
Running the controller in IDE mode doesn't make the drives slower, or faster, but (should) make it more compatible.

The PSU is a problem - your GPU wants a LOT of power.
Look for a quality 600W supply.

I prefer SensorsView, but Speedfan is also good (and free).
You can use SensorsView for 3 weeks without paying to see if it's worth $25.

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mattinsocal8911

More info for you that was realized after last post.

Hard drive temps made me recall the last time I had two SATA drives hooked up (the WD SATA2 in use now and an older seagate SATA1 drive). Well the OS was on the SATA1 and the Page file was on the WD sata2. At the time I was setting up the 8800 GTS and monitoring temps. I found the WD SATA2 w page file was running at the same temp as the 8800GTS which worried me. At first I thought the SATA cable was contacting the 8800 and transfering heat (tight connection-w GPU leaning on cable)So I moved the data cable to another slot. Same temperature aprox 120 degrees then I checked the specs and it was within the safe range AFAIK. The 8800 covers two sata connections and may require a data cable with a 90 deg end to use other connections.

Also wanted to mention that I found and update that may be needed. It apparently fixes BSOD in some situations its the KB900485. Also uninstalled are these which some are not for me I think(not running duel core for the kb936357) Also have current audio drivers so dont need the 920872 or 935448 or 938828. I have had no problems in the past by not using these patches.
I also found another forum that identifies a problem with this combo of products...Award BIOS Intel chipset and WD hard drives I will try to post the link here for driverheaven.net http://www.driverheaven.net/hardware...ve-issues.html
Thanks got to go................
No SP 3 as far as I know?

eneles

The KB900485 fix is for "Stop 0x7E" - do you have those as well?

Did you try moving the IDE HDD plug?
The SATA/IDE setting in BIOS?

You know, a wonky PSU could be causing all of those problems:
Disappearing HDDs, BSODs, overheating etc.

Did you enable minidumps?
1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click System.
3. Click the Advanced tab, and then click Settings under Startup and Recovery.
4. In the Write debugging information list, click Small memory dump (64k).

Please post a screenshot of SensorsView.

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mattinsocal8911

Thanks for the info...on error messages and I am using Avast AV.

As far as the Bios is concerned, I am afraid I do not have the settings that you are referring to in your post. The only RAID setting I have is for the IT8212 ATA RAID controller from ITE. The onBoard SATA controller can only be set using the settings that I mentioned earlier in this thread. The only option to disable SATA mode would be to choose "Disabled" . Then I do not see any SATA connections active. You may be thinking that I have a SATA RAID controller?? And that option was only available in the ga-8i945P-PRO version of the mobo which is no longer listed on the Gigabyte website(??). Also there is Combined mode which uses both types of hard drives on the controller(give me time to look in the manual for more specific info on that)..I did see the option to choose the use of Channel 0 or channel 1 for the PATA IDE(now set to channel 0 due to settings not changed yet) Also the IT8212 ATA RAID controller could be set to Enabled (then chosing from ATA or RAID). Now its set to RAID for future use as gaming drive in RAID 0..

yes GPU wants lots of power yes I will consider new purchase...

Here are some answers to your last post...

I do not think I have had the STOP 0x7E error yet..and I will install the patch if requested and at the appropriate time.

Moving the IDE plug I did to the one that had the CD DVD drive on it. That seemed like it got closer to IDE 1 even though its IDE 0. It can be changed if I choose Combined, mode as stated earlier for the OB SATA cont.

Thanks for the tip.

Enabled mini-dumps

here is screen shot with the WD drive installed (that dropped off again)

I dont know about that darn drive sheesh
irfanview pix is next.. upload failed twice. now upload was a success.

Attached Images

SensorV2.jpg (157.1 KB, 4 views)

eneles

For help choosing a good PSU: Power Supply Information and Selection

How to post a screenshot.

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mattinsocal8911

Well, I have more information for you. I decided to try all possible workarounds(I thinks thats the word?)for testing purposes. The most likely test was to move the WD hard drive to another port. No Luck with that move. (purchased a SATA 150 cable with 90 degree bend on one end.) After considering other options, I decided to try another hard drive(NON-WD drive). Installed a Seagate SATA 150 MBs(or SATA I for the audience) to the same port that did not work for the WD hard drive. What do you think happened?? It started it up and it is still running without any problems so far(45minutes). No BzBzBzBzBz in the BIOS at all, no dropping out of sight. Lets see if it holds up to the test of time and torture of reading and writing of files. Also I will do a test with HDTach and post if neccessary.

On the power supply side I had issues with a APC back-UPS ES 500, causing video problems(yellow streaks or patches in game) I switched the plug to a connection with no battery backup on the same UPS. Checking the power cable just now and its back on the battery backup connection again. Time for another power cycle to change it. note this UPS has the red light on even though its grounded to earth ground.
Finale time for me CSI lover..
Thanks loads

Attached Images

	Iview2.jpg (173.0 KB, 3 views)
	SATA Duel2.jpg (212.8 KB, 4 views)

eneles

You have a wonky +12V rail in the PSU - 11.50V is not good (11.4V is the absolute minimum).

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mattinsocal8911

With all that said and taking your advice I now realized a few more things. First, on the Western Digital SATA2, its most likely dead. The other hard drives work and this one does not. I have spotted another problem on another SATA2 connection. I have seen a blank space like so [ ] while a HD is connected to it in the BIOS. I guess this means at the very least that its not connecting (or burned out?).

Again with the power supply issue, I have decided to eliminate the 8800GTS from the equation. Due to the fact of limited finances and further testing(which has helped tons). See the conclusions for this point in time at the end.

Seeing the [ ] and listening to what you said about setting the onboard controller to SATA mode made me think. The [ ] may point to a SATA2 controller problem and the solution is to disable the controller and test further. I am now using the ITE's IT8212 ATA RAID controller with IDE hard drives. I was forced to reinstall the OS and am now testing again with Memtest, PCMark 05 and 3dmark 06.

Conclusions for this point in time are grim. I have a mobo with SATA connection problems. Sound crackling that was not there before from the onboard sound(sound card is OK so far). Occasional Blue Screens and computer freezing that are annoying. Few problems with the new install on IDE drives. The PC freezes at the first startup screen while testing memory only twice in three days, then dissappeared. I also removed the CMOS battery to clear the BIOS. I checked all connections (good) The MOBO tie downs were loose at this time(tightened), no problem. I am assuming that the Mobo is grounded through the negative wire on the PS connection.

Final conclusion, the south bridge is damaged and I will be needing a new motherboard. I think this ends this post. Thanks Eneles you are the best.

eneles

I don't trust your PSU - check the voltages (+3.3V, +5V and +12V) in BIOS.
(repaired a crashing computer yesterday - crashes were caused by 4.95V on the 3.3V rail. Only pure luck saved the RAM from being zapped)

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