RAID + Problems Installing OS (Windows XP)

I have a seagate HDD, and because I used RAID, I cannot find any of my model/make numbers in the BIOS. So I opened up my shuttle case, which made it extra hard to see past my graphics card, but I saw seagate, and its logo. If I find the model/make number, will you be able to supply a link to where I can download SATA drivers? Because I don't have any drivers on a floppy, and it is needed for my format!

Thanks again!

/ / N i c k \ \

But armed with only Seagate I can't offer much. The make and model of the PC or self built, the motherboard might find more details but one of the nagging issues of raid, sata and XP is having to get a floppy drive to install drivers.

Many wonder how I install such without installing a floppy drive. Answer? I own an USB drive I can use during the install. Then they are stuck later trying to figure out how I was able to do that install. It's not a secret.

Bob

My Seagate model is Barracuda, and when we searched for some drivers, we found that it has none. So, SATA drivers are out of the question.

But when browsing around, we found out about FDISK or Fixed disk MBR (master boot record). We found one called Super FDISK 1.0 but it was only compatible with xp/2000/2003/95/98, and we have vista on this working computer. After we realized we're not going to be using it on this computer (vista os computer) we thought to make a bootable disk out of the command fdisk /mbr, and boot my computer to delete all my partitions.

I don't know if you've heard of "EASEUS" before, but thats what we have downloaded -- sdisk.zip

Unzipped in WinRAR
To unveil EPMsetup.exe

Can this .exe file be burned to become a bootable disk, and when booted from my non-working computer, use that program, and then I delete all partitions? That way my drive will be recognized, and I can then boot from the windows xp sp2 CD and install windows, without needing a SATA driver?

Thanks for a third time... We are finding stuff, then figuring out more and more and more, and you're helping a tonne!

Thanks again!

/ / N i c k \ \

Sorry for the double-post, but in your second post I didn't read that you disabled RAID in BIOS! How did you do that? Where? Would it be in any of the following?

Standard CMOS Features
Advanced BIOS Settings
or something like:
Pcn/pNp Configurations
There is also Integrated peripherals...

And to reply to my other post, this might help:

Shuttle Model Number: SN85G4 V2
Motherboard/Mainboard: FN85 (Made special for shuttles)
HDD: Seagate Barracuda

Thanks,

/ / N i c k \ \

1. http://global.shuttle.com/Download/Download_File.asp?Item=SN85G4

Bingo. There we have our RAID and SATA drivers that we supply XP during install (the F6 method).

2. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=HOW+TO+INSTALL+XP+TO+A+SATA+DRIVE+F6

Remember I never duplicate ready web content. The issue you are asking about is very well documented. The number one problem is that many try to make do without the floppy drive or the XP SP2 CD (XP, XP SP1 CDs are trouble)

3. In checking the FN85 PDF manual I see on page 12 support for the usual SATA 1.5Gb transfer rate. I have run into issues if the hard disk is jumpered for 3.0Gb.

4. Page 62 writes about the BIOS entry "SiI3512A SATA Raid ROM
This item allows you to control the SiI3512A SATA Raid ROM.

Hey again, read your post, only to reply that now it is working. I found my SATA driver, put it into my external floppy, and the F6 thing worked, os formatted, everything was great untill it finished, saying it couldnt format the partition because it could be damaged or whatever. Before this, I had written myself this guide:

Formatting Nick?s Hard Drive (HDD)


?To ease the pain of Serial ATA?

Start off by having power to the computer, and booting it up. During startup, press CTRL+S or F4, which enter the raid utility. This may not be necessary, but do a low level format to completely wipe out the cause of formatting (i.e. virus, Trojan, malware, etc..)

After the low level format, your HDD will not be recognized.

Reboot your computer, and enter BIOS (DEL to enter setup, or any other key specified).

In the ?Advanced BIOS Settings? page, make sure that your primary boot device is a CDROM, Second is HDD-0. (third can be anything)

To make sure your RAID format was successful, check your ?CMOS Features? and makes your only drive is your DVD/CD drive. (Secondary Master)

Now that this is done, save, and exit the setup for BIOS.

Now that the computer is restarting, have your external floppy drive plugged into any USB. (Booting from windows allows USBs to be recognized!) And be ready to hit F6 when the first blue screen appears asking if you want to install a special SCSI or RAID driver. Hit F6!! Windows will load the appropriate files, and then ask you for something to recognize the HDD (3 Choices of S [specify], ENTER [continue] or F3 [quit].) Specify and then put your RAID driver into the external floppy drive!

Setup will ask you which XP version? Do the XP 2k3 /Server edition, and NOT the NT one.

Do then the format that is not quick (the selected one)

Your done!

Much easier than ISOs on CD-Rs, Fixed Disk Master Boot Records, and Bios configurations!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS


And printed it out.

I also now have Herin's All-in-one bootcd v 9.2 if thats any help, but I dont know whats going on... SPECIFICS:

After formatting with Windows, it says that the partition cannot be formatted because the disk may be damaged, not properly connected, or for other reasons...

Currently it is formatting a second time, just so I could give my computer something to do instead of being idle, I might as well retry the format.. Hopefully it works out but it probably wont. I know have a reference on how to do this, but I need your help once again. How do I fix this now?

I use the XP SP2 CD installer to prepare drives. I can't count how many times I see it fail when people format it before installing XP SP2.

-> Let me put this in BOLD. You must have a XP SP2 CD.

If not I see the install to SATA fail too often.

Bob

Tried unplugging and re-plugging the drive into the SATA ports, and the bios still didn't recognize it.

I know it's not the best way, but because it's my Birthday, I'm just buying a whole new comp!

Thanks for all your help, and dont bother replying to this.

I don't want you researching any more, and sorry that nothing worked out. NO MORE SHUTTLES FOR ME!!

I Have Them!

Your issue was solvable with either a diskette or changing the drive type.

Hope your new machine is more cooperative.

Bob