IDE cable – 1600 days old

[rcpilot]

Hi
I upgraded the mobo in my pc but left all the other components in place, after installation I decided to do a clean install of the OS, problems!!!! it just loaded the setup files and after it rebooted it loaded the setup files again around and around in circles it went. Installed the old mobo again and hey presto it loaded the OS no problems, removed the old mobo installed the new one, again it went round in circles loading just the setup files. Hair comes out at this stage eventually I found out that it was the IDE cable that was causing the problem, but howcome the IDE cable was ok with one mobo and not the other.

[floppybootstomp]

I can only imagine that some connectors used on the IDE connection on the new motherboard were not being used on the old motherboard and that one or more cores were short circuit on the lead.

That is extremely unlikely but it's the only thing I can think of that makes sense.

Sometimes you just got to sling them leads away.

I take it a replacement lead cured the problem?

And no need to get have a and then

[rcpilot]

Hi Flops
Yeh a new cable sorted the problem out but it's so frustrating that a cable should work in one system and not in another, it took me aprox 6 days to sort it out, leaving it to chill out then going back to it I tried umpteen configurations of the bios but it would not load up, sometimes the simplest fixes turn out to be the solution

[Fingerle]

old cable 40 or 80 conductor? I know newer boards don't like the old 40wire cables, but never seen one do that trick you were seeing.. (one I had wouldn't even look at the HDD.)

Really weird IMHO since they both (old&new) use a 40 pin connector..

[floppybootstomp]

old cable 40 or 80 conductor? I know newer boards don't like the old 40wire cables, but never seen one do that trick you were seeing.. (one I had wouldn't even look at the HDD.)

Really weird IMHO since they both (old&new) use a 40 pin connector..

Bing!

I forgot about that, that's probably it

[Grogan]

or just an old brittle cable and disconnecting it from the old board damaged it. I've seen "trick cables" where just flexing them causes trouble. Disconnect and reconnect it and it starts working again and you think "aha!". As soon as it flexes the wrong way again the trouble starts.

[rcpilot]

yeh 40 conductor, went out and bought an IDE cable kit today ( the round ones ) as it's thrown up another problem. I was trying to burn a dvd from an ISO with DVD dycripter I know the DVD rewriter is ok as I burned a data disk before I changed the mobo the harddrive is ok as I loaded up some programs from it when I changed the mobo the log of the problem is this :- I 12:15:26 DVD Decrypter Version 3.5.4.0 started!
I 12:15:26 Microsoft Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600 : Service Pack 3)
I 12:15:26 Initialising SPTI...
I 12:15:26 Searching for SCSI / ATAPI devices...
I 12:15:36 Found 1 DVD+RW and 1 DVD±RW!
I 12:15:42 Operation Started!
I 12:15:42 Source File: E:\1\MAMMA_MIA.ISO
I 12:15:42 Source File Sectors: 2,108,379 (MODE1/2048)
I 12:15:42 Source File Size: 4,317,960,192 bytes
I 12:15:42 Source File Implementation Identifier: DVD Shrink
I 12:15:42 Destination Device: [4:5:0] PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-110D 1.41 (F (SCSI)
I 12:15:42 Destination Media Type: DVD-R (Disc ID: CMC MAG. AM3) (Speeds: 4x, 6x, 8x, 12x, 16x)
I 12:15:42 Destination Media Sectors: 2,298,496
I 12:15:42 Write Mode: DVD
I 12:15:42 Write Type: SAO
I 12:15:42 Write Speed: MAX
I 12:15:42 Link Size: Auto
I 12:15:42 Test Mode: Yes
I 12:15:42 BURN-Proof: Enabled
I 12:15:51 Filling Buffer...
I 12:15:51 Writing LeadIn...
I 12:16:05 Writing Image...
W 12:16:06 Failed to Write Sectors 3328 - 3359 - The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error.
W 12:16:06 Retrying (1 of 20)...
W 12:16:10 Retry Failed - Power On, Reset, or Bus Device Reset Occurred
W 12:16:10 Retrying (2 of 20)...
I 12:16:10 Writing Image...
W 12:16:11 Failed to Write Sectors 7712 - 7743 - The request could not be performed because of an I/O device error.
W 12:16:11 Retrying (1 of 20)...
I 12:16:12 Abort Request Acknowledged
W 12:16:15 Retry Failed - Power On, Reset, or Bus Device Reset Occurred
W 12:16:15 Retrying (2 of 20)...
I 12:16:15 Synchronising Cache...
E 12:16:16 Failed to Write Image!
E 12:16:20 Operation Aborted! - Duration: 00:00:34
I 12:16:20 Average Write Rate: 1,713 KB/s (1.2x) - Maximum Write Rate: 1,713 KB/s (1.2x)
Have tried changing the transfer mode from DMA to PIO but it does not cure the problem as stated I replaced the IDE cables but have drawn a blank the other rewriter which I have tried is an old Philips DVDRW 228 that comes up with "focus servo error" even before it tries to burn the disc help appreciated

[Grogan]

How are your IDE devices configured? Master/Slave or Cable Select? (check jumpers). Cable Select doesn't always work with all 40 wire cables. (but usually does with 80 wire)

Have you tried 80 wire cables? Someone said that above.

[rcpilot]

Devices configured master and slave, have just read the manual that came with the mobo and noticed that in the Bios I have "On-chip IDE channel 0 " enabled should this be disabled as I have added a secondary add in IDE interface

[rcpilot]

Also the IDE Prefetch Mode is enabled should this be disabled

[Grogan]

Just because you installed a card doesn't mean you have to disable the native IDE controller. No, you shouldn't have to disable the IDE Prefetch mode and that would only concern the native IDE. (Your system bios doesn't control the interfaces on the PCI card, it has its own bios, firmware and drivers)

You started another thread here:
http://www.bitbenderforums.com/forum...ad.php?t=81622

I said: "Oh, a PCI controller card. The PATA ports on those usually ONLY do ATA 66/100/133. Get 80 wire cables."

See, those 40 wire cables may not terminate properly. Make sure you install 80 wire cables the right way around, too. Different coloured end connects to the motherboard. Master connects to the end connector on the cable. Slave to the middle. (This may not be essential in all cases, but with 80 wire cables it's good practice because it may not work otherwise)

[Dark Angel]

I've had that exact situation. For me they needed to be in the right spot or it wouldn't work at all.

[rcpilot]

Ok thanks lads help most appreciated

[rcpilot]

Hi again
Have just been in touch with the shop who sold me the card and the IDE cables they told me the cables were the 80 wire variety, I explained the problem I was having and they said it had nothing to do with the motherboard bios and I would have to bring my tower into the shop for them to have a look at. Well if it is not the motherboard bios, not the cables, not the card, ( I have connected the drives the right way round and configured them as master and slave so that is not the problem.) it must be something to do with the OS which is Win xp pro, how and what do I look for and change to make the !*£$? thing work

[rcpilot]

Ah I have made some progress I checked the device manager and found a yellow question mark against the device, clicked it and found that the drivers had not been installed for the card, so I put the installation disc in and went through the installation program it said that it had loaded the drivers and failed to load nothing, so I went back into device manager and the yellow question mark was still there, so I uninstalled it again reinstalled it rebooted and still the question mark was still there got in touch with the shop they said that he could do nothing over the phone and would have to take the tower into them, what can they do that I cannot ? any ideas the yellow question mark disappears when I uninstall it

[Fingerle]

Question mark disappears, but is the card still listed?

As far as what can the shop do? Charge you $$$ an hour to stare at the thing while scratching their heads...

[Grogan]

lol... I service computers and I'll bet there are things that I can do that you would not think of. It's much more difficult to solve problems remotely than to have it in front of you. I would have told you the same thing. Also, some people tend to think that time is worthless and assume that someone is willing to spend a hour or more on the phone for something they sold you, that they made all of $5 profit on.

For example, not being there I had assumed that you installed drivers for the card. I even mentioned drivers above, but you didn't clue in to that. There's something the shop knew that you didn't.

----------------------------------------

When you say you "uninstalled" it, do you mean you deleted the device from device manager and rebooted, or you used some uninstall routine in add/remove programs?

If you ran a setup program and the drivers are installed, but it's just not binding to the device, try removing the device from device manager and rebooting.

If that doesn't work, try to install the drivers manually. Go to the device in Device Manager and do Install Drivers or Reinstall Drivers or Upgrade Drivers, whatever the button says. Try to let Windows automatically find them, and if that doesn't work browse to the correct directory on the driver CD. (where the .inf file for the device is e.g. drivers/modelnumber/english/winxp... keep clicking on subdirectories until you find it. The button will become active)

Try putting the card in a different PCI slot if none of that works.

[Fingerle]

Ahh and once again we see that Sir Grogan doesn't recognize a joke when it's posted..

I also do service.. I've also cleaned up more messes left on people's systems caused by so called "experts" at the shop than I care to think about. (Hence the joke) 1-2 days in the shop, Poor owner out ungodly amount of cash just to get their rig back and it STILL doesn't work right... More and more I see simple parts changers at the shop. These peeps are lost if they can't simply sell you a piece of hardware. I'm sure you've run across this as well.

good day sir... I'm out...

[rcpilot]

First of all I do know a little bit about pc's so I would not simply delete a program I use uninstall in the add and remove section of control panel. Secondly when I put the card into the PCI slot I used the installation cd it says after loading the only 2 components on the cd that it has failed to load none but it still shows a yellow ? mark in the device manager.
As to what you mentioned, seen it, done it, got the T shirt. even downloaded a program to detect missing or outdated drivers from the net and find the updated ones download and install them still no joy the only thing that I will own up to is I haven't tried the card in the other PCI slot yet.
Here in the UK ALL new merchandise bought from a legitimate trader is governed by trading standards so if something goes wrong you get in touch with the vendor and not the manufacturer if they cannot put it right then you have a legitimate claim to get your money back .
If, as this vendor has, a technical support section which can be contacted by phone and will not try to solve the problem except by saying bring your tower into the shop then why bother having a phoneable technical support, just put a big sign up in the shop saying "if you have any problems bring it back to the shop" unlike the USA here in the UK we pay for our local calls during the day as and when we use the phone unless we pay upfront in a call package "expensive" if you rarely use the phone during the day.
So will try the other PCI slot and let you know how I got on.

[floppybootstomp]

Hey, OrganG resides in Canada

[rcpilot]

Greetings
Tried the other PCI slot no differance, even tried booting in safe mode to see if the unknown device was software generated it is not.
In System information the PNP Device ID is listed as ACPI\NVRAIDBUS\3&2411E6FE&0.
Would I be wrong in assuming the card is a a no go.
I mean I can do what I want to do by installing both the drive that I am reading from and the drive I am writting to on the same IDE cable and connecting it to the mobo IDE slot but as I have bought a card that is supposed to give me another IDE slot I think that it should work or whats the point in buying the card in the first place

[rcpilot]

Well all joined together on the same continent

[phicks]

G may take offense in being lumped in with us Yanks.

[rcpilot]

Ok got his location wrong but we are all members of a global community, and different sections are governed by different rules. Just pointing out a few of ours.

[Grogan]

Yes, quite possible that the card is defective. Take it back.

That's all the time I have to spend on this.

[Grogan]

Ahh and once again we see that Sir Grogan doesn't recognize a joke when it's posted..

I also do service.. I've also cleaned up more messes left on people's systems caused by so called "experts" at the shop than I care to think about. (Hence the joke) 1-2 days in the shop, Poor owner out ungodly amount of cash just to get their rig back and it STILL doesn't work right... More and more I see simple parts changers at the shop. These peeps are lost if they can't simply sell you a piece of hardware. I'm sure you've run across this as well.

good day sir... I'm out...

I was not even speaking to you... I was reacting to the "what can they do that I cannot?" Also, there's a big difference between not recognizing a joke and not commenting on it because it doesn't particularly amuse me. This just wasn't about you, though.

That technician on the phone could have been someone just like me. He seemed to be giving good advice, but having the thing in front of you is a lot more productive than going round and round on the phone.

Yes, I do often pick up the pieces from one shop here in town. They just have to mention the name and I know what transpired. On the other side of town, there's a good one though and I have no problem referring my customers there when it suits the situation. (I don't actually sell hardware, I just buy it retail for people for convenience).

[rcpilot]

OK thanks Grogan,just had a search for cards on the net and found that most of them of the same specs sell for around £6 - £8 I payed £17 for what could be a pile of junk

[DonkeyOaty]

It's worth swapping the card out for one of the same make first. Then if that fails, consider a different make.

I always set a deadline in terms of my time with something like this and once I reach that deadline I will usually swap the item out for a different brand.

[rcpilot]

Thanks peeps, just found some adapters that convert an IDE drive into a SATA drive only £2+ any ideas on these.

[BitBender]

I have pretty much given up on IDE disk/dvd devices on the newer mobo's .. The last few I have done are increasingly harder to get IDE drives to work on.

Two seasons ago (not quite two years), I did a dual core, intel mobo - Tried to reuse my IDE DVD-RW drive - No dice - In the end, I had to go with PATA device to make things smooth and normal again. Windows was oK wif it, nothing else was... (Nix)

I've built two others since then for others - I dont reuse the old IDE's, I copy IDE HDD's to SATA HDD's and replace the burners with PATA versions and try not to use the IDE ports for disks or burners at all.

Sometimes, for my way of doing things, it is easier to avoid the problem by accepting that obsolete means are just that.. obsolete. I don't get new rigs for myself too often that way, cause I cannot afford all the new toys, but @ the same time, when I can, it's rock stable-thanks to config tips from knowedgable peeps here.

That's just my way. Any one can choose their way. As to these converters, I am not sure. I use a USB dongle to copy data and then set aside the old drives.

[Fingerle]

I'm with Bits RC, Best thing I can suggest id to get yourself a good SATA drive for internal use with the new mobo... If you still want/need the space from the old IDE, make it in to an external drive and connect it via usb...

External enclosures are quite inexpensive.

[rcpilot]

Never used SATA drives before, so if you just plug them into a SATA socket does the mobo see them like it used to with an IDE drive or do you have to configure the bios to use them

[Fingerle]

Yup, Plug in the data cable and feed 'em some power, That's the idea. Also have the plus side of a higher transfer rate. No jumpers settings to fek with either..