Desktop
I have had a rash of this problem come up in our older machines running W95 (HP Vectra VL PI-166).
It states that to switch to secondary controller. How to do this? I realize it is a temporary fix until the motherboard can be replaced. What is procedure to get these machines back up and running?
by thechas
Well, it is possible for the Primary IDE controller to go bad, yet have the secondary IDE channel function. I would not trust it though.
To try the secondary controller, simply move the HDD IDE cable from the Primary IDE connector over to the Secondary IDE connector on the mother board.
Make sure that the HDD settings in BIOS disable the primary, and have the secondary set for the drive, or auto-detect.
If everything works, back things up, and run.
Otherwise, you will want to installa PCI IDE controller card.
You can find them at various web-tailers for under $30.
Usually, you set the boot options to SCSI when using a controller card.
Chas
by randerson7
Poster rated this answer.
by blaine moore
On your MOBO will be two IDE channels where you can plug the cables into. The first is suggested for hard disks and the second for CD devices, generally.
I'd first try a new IDE cable and make sure that it is not the problem. If the problem persists, then just plug the hard drive into the second IDE channel. It should at least work at that point.
by randerson7
by randerson7
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