Tweaking Bios settings on a Asrock 939 dual SATA2 based system.

[andy_sweden]

Regarding the need for a bootable floppy to install an OS on a SATA2 drive on the ASROCK 939 DUAL SATA2:

U can set the SATA2 (and the SATA controller for that matter) to an "IDE-mode" in bios, which will grant U the possibility to install XP directly to that drive. Once installed, boot into XP and install the SATA2 driver (it's on the ASROCK CD). Reboot -> Enter BIOS and revert back to "SATA2 mode" for the SATA2 controller and voliá - XP installed on a SATA2 HDD without the need for a floppy... I benchmarked the R/W speed and it seems to be going with SATA2 speed (Whatever that is? Faster then ATA anyway, slower then SATA RAID 0??)

/Andy

 

[crismln]

I get the blue screen

Regarding the need for a bootable floppy to install an OS on a SATA2 drive on the ASROCK 939 DUAL SATA2:

U can set the SATA2 (and the SATA controller for that matter) to an "IDE-mode" in bios, which will grant U the possibility to install XP directly to that drive. Once installed, boot into XP and install the SATA2 driver (it's on the ASROCK CD). Reboot -> Enter BIOS and revert back to "SATA2 mode" for the SATA2 controller and voliá - XP installed on a SATA2 HDD without the need for a floppy... I benchmarked the R/W speed and it seems to be going with SATA2 speed (Whatever that is? Faster then ATA anyway, slower then SATA RAID 0??)

/Andy

Actually, just setting the controller SATA 2 to "sata" mode would only give me a blue screen. The manual clearly says that you need to install the drivers for SATA 2 BEFORE installing windows. I tried to install them after, then I rebooted with controller sata 2 in sata 2 mode and ended up with the blue screen. anybody knows why? ..and I only have a sata 2 drive installed (WD Caviar 250GB) so no conflicts. In bios actually i disabled the other controller.

 

[andy_sweden]

Well, it did work for me. I actually think that's one of the main reasons that the bios has an "IDE-mode" for the SATA and SATA2 interface - to make it possible to install various OS that doesn't have native support for SATA and SATA2. Anyway, I'll repeat my self so it's clear on how to to it "my way":

1. Prior to starting installing XP, enter BIOS and set the SATA2 to "IDE-mode".
2. Install XP like if you had an ordinary IDE drive present. No need for SATA2 drivers etc.
3. Once XP is installed, boot into it.
4. With XP loaded - install the SATA2 drivers - Verify its presents in the device manager.
5. Restart the computer and go into bios and revert back the SATA2 interface setting.
6. Boot into windows XP which should have the SATA2 drivers now and therefor give you a trouble free boot. Done

/Andy

 

[crismln]

Well, it did work for me. I actually think that's one of the main reasons that the bios has an "IDE-mode" for the SATA and SATA2 interface - to make it possible to install various OS that doesn't have native support for SATA and SATA2. Anyway, I'll repeat my self so it's clear on how to to it "my way":

1. Prior to starting installing XP, enter BIOS and set the SATA2 to "IDE-mode".
2. Install XP like if you had an ordinary IDE drive present. No need for SATA2 drivers etc.
3. Once XP is installed, boot into it.
4. With XP loaded - install the SATA2 drivers - Verify its presents in the device manager.
5. Restart the computer and go into bios and revert back the SATA2 interface setting.
6. Boot into windows XP which should have the SATA2 drivers now and therefor give you a trouble free boot. Done

/Andy

Here is the reply from AsRock that supports my point of view expressed above:

"Dear ASRock America Customer,

Before installing the OS Windows XP / 2000 on a SATA HDD, you need to decide which SATA Operation Mode will be applied. Once the SATA Operation Mode is chosen, and the OS is installed with that chosen operation mode, the installed OS will recognize that operation mode only. If you want to run the SATA HDD with another operation mode, you need to change the SATA Operation Mode in the Bios, and reinstall the OS.
For installing the OS on SATA HDD - Please refer to the manual on the support CD coming with the motherboard.

If you would like to have additional information, please feel free to contact our technical support service

ASRock America Technical Support"

Clear enough?