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IDE Controler Failure?

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15 replies

by maggot

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I am re-placing a old hard drive before it fails in a Micron Millenea computer at work. It is a 15 Gig generic type 47 HD. The computer is used for Auto Cad. OS is Windows 98 SE

New drive is a WD Caviar 40 Gig. Ran drive test with WD utility, result was no problems. Performed install of OS, Windows 98 SE. Clean Install.

After install I checked Device manager for devices that needed drivers. Installed AGP and Creative Audio adapter drivers from CD that came with the computer. There is not a CD for the main board.

During the device manager check I noticed the ! over the primary IDE controller. To check my install I plugged the existing HD back in. The error or problem was still there. I don't know how long or if it had been there before. Checked performance and found that drive was operating in MS DOS mode.

Switched HD (existing) to secondary IDE, made CMOS changes as necessary for master on secondary IDE. Problem went away. Plugged new HD in on Secondary IDE, made CMOS changes. No problem. I was preparing to do cable hook up to use CD ROM and HD on Secondary to finish installing software and problem returned. Problem seems intermitent on secondary as well. Tried old HD problem was present on secondary as well. Though it seems if system sits for a while and a different drive HD is hooked up the problem goes away. System has been shut down and restarted several times with no problem indicated. But after a HD switch it will re-appear sometimes. It is always present on the primary IDE connection. I have replaced the IDE cable using a cable supplied with the WD drive. Hooked up old drive this morning no problem showing. I have wiped new drive and intend on trying a new install of OS.

Does CD ROM need a different cable other than IDE for HD (fine wires) and can they be used together or will CD ROM operate correctly using a primary IDE cable. I am assuming that primary IDE channel is going out.

15 replies

by oz_media

seems like you have tried th emost logical steps to start. Depending on the hardware, I have seen CDROMS that can't share a ribbon and need to be separated, however this is not always the case.

You might also want to check the IRQ's in the devices for conflict, it sounds almost as if one device is getting random IRQ's assigned and it gets a conflict sometimes.

Just some more food for thought.

Good luck!

by maxwell edison

When a device has a yellow explanation mark this is an indication that the device is conflicting with another hardware device.

I'd go to the Web site of the motherboard manufacturer to download the latest software, and replace the drivers for the IDE controllers. If that makes the ! go away in device manager, then great. If not, it sounds as though everything works okay otherwise, but you just see the ! in device manager.

It doesn't mean your IDE controller is about to fail; and it the computer works fine with the ! in device manager, then just keep computing away.

by dmiles

First try deleting the Primary and Secondary controllers from device manager and right-click chose delete and reboot,the system will detect and install the controllers.
Secondly you should try the motehrboard manufacturers web site,to update the chipset board software

The board may not support the larger hard drive due to bios needing updating ,so check the type bios on the board and check for updating the bios.

See the Microsoft Knowledge Base for reference to large hard drive support

The CD Rom uses the same 40 pin ribbon as the Hard drives

by maggot

Bit of a update here. Changed the IDE cable and hooked up existing HD to primary IDE. No problem showing.

I hooked up wiped new HD (used WD utility to zero the drive) Started computer with 98 start-up disk, no joy. I created a new start-up disk, joy!

Performed fdisk functions. Partition count was correct 38 Gig and change. I don't think there is a BIOS issue as the drive volume (new HD) is shown as 40 Gig in CMOS auto detection. Though it could be a issue with the IDE channel. Current drive (old) is a ATA66, though I have been told by the people I buy my personal machines from that it shouldn't be a issue? New drive is WD Caviar 40 Gig.

It's odd IDE ! went away on primary channel. Bad cable? Also could first start-up disk been corrupted and caused problem with install?

I will update after install of OS tomorrow.

Ideas?

by maggot

Thanks for your replies thus far. You have all given me leads to check. Seems a chip set update might be in order.I will know later this morning (doing this in-between normal work -sheet metal hehe)

Checked knowledge base on in-correct virtual memory count, heh forgot to mention that one. There is a fix and work around. Work around: ignore it! hehe. Fix: you have to pay. Seems the fix or patch should be free? Micro$oft? #*@!!

by sgt_shultz

maybe your drive must be software set to 66 compatibility mode. what is the model number. what did the hp website say. i know you are in for the fun of the hunt but i would throw in $40 promise controller. give 98 a big kick in the pants, performance wise...
maybe you are having detection problems. do you have any changable parameters in your BIOS settings relating to hard disk detection delay. have you considered reflashing the bios...

by maggot

Well grab a cup of coffee and figure this one out. hehe

Went in this morning armed with VIA 4in1 driver update and went ahead and performed the OS install figuring it was a chip set issue as drive was read up correctly in CMOS and fdisk. Well guess what? There was no ! in the Device Manager over the IDE controllers after the OS install. I didn't install the VIA update.

My guess is that it was either a bad Start-up disk or a bad IDE cable. AS it sits now the OS is installed along with support software, anti-vitus, utilities, fire wall and Auto Cad. and Internet is functional. Old drive is slaved to new drive all appears to be good.

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