K8VSE deluxe, a single SATA and installing WinXP (deep breath) HELP!!

manky · 08-23-2004, 07:06 AM

I very recently attempted to put together a computer (my first!) using the following:

Mobo: K8VSE deluxe
CPU: Athlon 64 3200
HD: 200GB SATA seagate
RAM: 512 ddr Kingston
Graphics card: GeCube Radeon 9800Pro

I've put the SATA hard disk onto the SATA1 connector.

Firstly, I get the Promise POST message "No Device is Found, BIOS is not installed", which is worrying seeing as I only have a single HD, and it's on the SATA1 connector. (and I have read this forum post by clintfan already: http://www.techsupportforum.com/showthread.php?t=10138)

The thing is, if you go into the BIOS the HD is definitely being recognised, because it appears in the Booting Order options list.

Pressing on, I attempted to get the WinXP Pro SP1 installation happening - but that failed, because it couldn't find a HD to install onto.

So, WinXP can't see my SATA hard disk, but the BIOS can.

I have read postings which recommend hitting F6 at the beginning of the WinXP install, to install the drivers required to make the SATA HD visible to WinXP. Is this true, and where would I get them?

I have also read postings which say that there are virtually no SATA controllers that can only work with 1 HD - ie, most SATA controllers require 2 SATA HDs RAIDed together to work. Is this true for the K8VSE deluxe? Would that mean that my choices are either to get another SATA HD and RAID them together, or just go with an IDE HD?

It was just suggested to me that perhaps WinXP can't see the SATA HD because it's unformatted. Is that true, and should we try formatting it from the WinXP bootdisk?

As an aside, I have also downloaded AFUDOS.EXE and K8VSEDX.004 from the ASUS site (that would be the most recent BIOS) and done the needful. As far as I can tell, it did buggerall. Everything was exactly the same afterwards.

Could someone please help / recommend a course of action? I'm truly desperate as I have to return my friend's computer tomorrow, and the novelty of the pretty blue light on my new case is no longer preventing me from tearing my hair out. Please! Help before I go bald!!!!!

charliep1 · 08-23-2004, 09:51 AM

First off you do not need 2 SATA's to run. This PC is a Asus A7N8X Deluxe with one ( 1 ) SATA HD. No raid involved and running XP.

You need to open the mobo CD, open the drivers folder, and open the SATA folder and copy the SATA drivers to a floppy. I copied everything except the PDF and GUI files. Next with the floppy and CD in the drives boot up with CD as first boot device. Hit F6 when prompted by XP for 3rd. party drivers. It will then load the SATA drivers and continue with install.

XP will format the drive and give you the option to set up partitions.
Charlie

manky · 08-23-2004, 07:55 PM

Thanks very much, Charliep1. You've saved me from insanity and/or a toupee.

If anyone else is following this, the path to the appropriate drivers on the K8VSE deluxe CD is [cd drive]:\Drivers\VIARAID\6420RAID\DriverDisk\SATA

Thanks very much once again, it worked beautifully.

08-23-2004, 07:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
manky Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 2 OS: Win XP	K8VSE deluxe, a single SATA and installing WinXP (deep breath) HELP!! I very recently attempted to put together a computer (my first!) using the following: Mobo: K8VSE deluxe CPU: Athlon 64 3200 HD: 200GB SATA seagate RAM: 512 ddr Kingston Graphics card: GeCube Radeon 9800Pro I've put the SATA hard disk onto the SATA1 connector. Firstly, I get the Promise POST message "No Device is Found, BIOS is not installed", which is worrying seeing as I only have a single HD, and it's on the SATA1 connector. (and I have read this forum post by clintfan already: http://www.techsupportforum.com/showthread.php?t=10138) The thing is, if you go into the BIOS the HD is definitely being recognised, because it appears in the Booting Order options list. Pressing on, I attempted to get the WinXP Pro SP1 installation happening - but that failed, because it couldn't find a HD to install onto. So, WinXP can't see my SATA hard disk, but the BIOS can. I have read postings which recommend hitting F6 at the beginning of the WinXP install, to install the drivers required to make the SATA HD visible to WinXP. Is this true, and where would I get them? I have also read postings which say that there are virtually no SATA controllers that can only work with 1 HD - ie, most SATA controllers require 2 SATA HDs RAIDed together to work. Is this true for the K8VSE deluxe? Would that mean that my choices are either to get another SATA HD and RAID them together, or just go with an IDE HD? It was just suggested to me that perhaps WinXP can't see the SATA HD because it's unformatted. Is that true, and should we try formatting it from the WinXP bootdisk? As an aside, I have also downloaded AFUDOS.EXE and K8VSEDX.004 from the ASUS site (that would be the most recent BIOS) and done the needful. As far as I can tell, it did buggerall. Everything was exactly the same afterwards. Could someone please help / recommend a course of action? I'm truly desperate as I have to return my friend's computer tomorrow, and the novelty of the pretty blue light on my new case is no longer preventing me from tearing my hair out. Please! Help before I go bald!!!!!

08-23-2004, 09:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
charliep1 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 451 OS: XP Pro	First off you do not need 2 SATA's to run. This PC is a Asus A7N8X Deluxe with one ( 1 ) SATA HD. No raid involved and running XP. You need to open the mobo CD, open the drivers folder, and open the SATA folder and copy the SATA drivers to a floppy. I copied everything except the PDF and GUI files. Next with the floppy and CD in the drives boot up with CD as first boot device. Hit F6 when prompted by XP for 3rd. party drivers. It will then load the SATA drivers and continue with install. XP will format the drive and give you the option to set up partitions. Charlie __________________ A few aches and pains but still on green side of grass Last edited by charliep1; 08-23-2004 at 09:52 AM.

08-23-2004, 07:55 PM	#3 (permalink)
manky Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 2 OS: Win XP	Thanks! Thanks very much, Charliep1. You've saved me from insanity and/or a toupee. If anyone else is following this, the path to the appropriate drivers on the K8VSE deluxe CD is [cd drive]:\Drivers\VIARAID\6420RAID\DriverDisk\SATA Thanks very much once again, it worked beautifully.