Solve my computer problem or face the consequences!
#1
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Solve my computer problem or face the consequences!
FWIW, I have been involved in the computer industry for more than two decades. I have done "Geek Squad" type work as well as owning my own ISP and doing the tech support for 1,000 users. This problem has me baffled so I am looking for some help. Please don't explain to me what CS is or how to jumper a drive. I am not a newbie - just very curious about this problem.
Dell Optiplex GX620 with newest bios (A11):
Three HDs - drive #1, #2, and #3. 1 is a 500GB, 2 is a 500GB (identical to #1), 3 is a 320GB (different brand). Using CS on the drives there are 6 different combinations of drive configurations (1 primary and 2 secondary, 1 primary and 3 secondary, 2 primary and 1 secondary, 2 primary and 3 secondary, 3 primary and 1 secondary, 3 primary and 2 secondary). The Dell bios will only recognize two of those combinations. All three drives are working and function great by themselves but when you try to run two of them together they will not work (except in a certain order). It doesn't matter the order because I can grab three more HDs or a CD/DVD Rom and have similar issues.
Other info:
-This is a bios problem - the OS isn't even loaded
-I have swapped out IDE cables with similar results
-I have jumpered as Master/Slave with similar results
Any ideas?
Dell Optiplex GX620 with newest bios (A11):
Three HDs - drive #1, #2, and #3. 1 is a 500GB, 2 is a 500GB (identical to #1), 3 is a 320GB (different brand). Using CS on the drives there are 6 different combinations of drive configurations (1 primary and 2 secondary, 1 primary and 3 secondary, 2 primary and 1 secondary, 2 primary and 3 secondary, 3 primary and 1 secondary, 3 primary and 2 secondary). The Dell bios will only recognize two of those combinations. All three drives are working and function great by themselves but when you try to run two of them together they will not work (except in a certain order). It doesn't matter the order because I can grab three more HDs or a CD/DVD Rom and have similar issues.
Other info:
-This is a bios problem - the OS isn't even loaded
-I have swapped out IDE cables with similar results
-I have jumpered as Master/Slave with similar results
Any ideas?
#4
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So i'm guessing there are two IDE ports on the MB and you are using HD 1&2 on IDE1 and HD3&CD/DVDrom on IDE2??? I'm just trying to understand your setup more clearly.
FWIW, if you do a google search about raid drivers, most computers stop recognizing drives if they are removed or missing.
FWIW, if you do a google search about raid drivers, most computers stop recognizing drives if they are removed or missing.
#5
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So i'm guessing there are two IDE ports on the MB and you are using HD 1&2 on IDE1 and HD3&CD/DVDrom on IDE2??? I'm just trying to understand your setup more clearly.
FWIW, if you do a google search about raid drivers, most computers stop recognizing drives if they are removed or missing.
FWIW, if you do a google search about raid drivers, most computers stop recognizing drives if they are removed or missing.
#7
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These were the standard "jump pin 1 for master, no jumper for slave" or whatever. I even tried several different jumpers just to see if I had one that wasn't making a good connection <G>.
#11
Your problem seem interesting after reading the manual for your dell, It seems the IDE port is only used for CD/DVD Roms and not ment to be used for IDE HardDrives maybe this could be part of the problem, In saying that why don't you just bite the bullet and use the SATA ports and and a few Sata drives and only use the IDE for the CD/DVD ??
or contact Dell and see what they have to say and if there is a bios update
Dr.
or contact Dell and see what they have to say and if there is a bios update
Dr.
#12
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Your problem seem interesting after reading the manual for your dell, It seems the IDE port is only used for CD/DVD Roms and not ment to be used for IDE HardDrives maybe this could be part of the problem, In saying that why don't you just bite the bullet and use the SATA ports and and a few Sata drives and only use the IDE for the CD/DVD ??
or contact Dell and see what they have to say and if there is a bios update
Dr.
or contact Dell and see what they have to say and if there is a bios update
Dr.
I've given up trying to get the CS or Master/Slave to work on the IDE port with two drives and have just started using two of the SATA ports for drives.
I have not contacted Dell yet (past experience leads me to believe they are all morons) but I do have the newest bios. There was something on their website that said something about removing all IDE devices and reloading the default values in the Bios but that did not help. The problem is that I have a stack of 20 IDE drives here. Do I just throw them away?
#13
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Post #5:
I've given up trying to get the CS or Master/Slave to work on the IDE port with two drives and have just started using two of the SATA ports for drives.
I have not contacted Dell yet (past experience leads me to believe they are all morons) but I do have the newest bios. There was something on their website that said something about removing all IDE devices and reloading the default values in the Bios but that did not help. The problem is that I have a stack of 20 IDE drives here. Do I just throw them away?
I've given up trying to get the CS or Master/Slave to work on the IDE port with two drives and have just started using two of the SATA ports for drives.
I have not contacted Dell yet (past experience leads me to believe they are all morons) but I do have the newest bios. There was something on their website that said something about removing all IDE devices and reloading the default values in the Bios but that did not help. The problem is that I have a stack of 20 IDE drives here. Do I just throw them away?
Use one of these;
Newegg.com - SYBA SD-ATA133R PCI IDE Controller Card - Controllers / RAID Cards
disclaimer: i never used that model.
I am running one in my desktop perfectly fine. I am using SATA for my boot drive.
#18
ok i am not sure why your board is doing what its doing, but here is a it of a cowboy fix that may allow you to use your IDE hard Drives this fix will allow you to keep the boards ide port for the CD/DVD Rom. Just use a SATA to IDE converter these things are cheap and you can get them on Ebay if need, I have added a link to one i saw on ebay, I think this maybe the easiest solution for you.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/PATA-IDE-To-S...1%7C240%3A1318
or this
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/IDE-100-133-H...1%7C240%3A1318
Cheers
Dr.
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/PATA-IDE-To-S...1%7C240%3A1318
or this
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/IDE-100-133-H...1%7C240%3A1318
Cheers
Dr.
#20
His problem is he can't run his IDE drives the way he wants, they work ok as a single drive but i think he wants multiple drives but he can't get it to work he has the lastest Bios so that can't be the problem for hard drive Size, And he wants to use the Ide drives he and does not want to buy more SATA drives when has these Spare IDE ones, i suggested that he use a Converter that way he can use his ide ones still and get the benifit of multiple drives ?? i think that makes sence lol lol
Dr.