Problem with Maxtor IDE and 8400

Question

I just got an 8400 with dual SATA 160 GB hard drives in a Raid0 configuration with a factory install of windows XP Pro (Media Edition). In order to move some data over from my old machine I've attempted to install a 3rd drive. This drive is a Maxtor with an IDE input coming from a Maxtor supplied IDE 133 extension PCI card (has Maxtor on it but the chip was made by Promise Tech.). I need to use the IDE extension card as there is only a single IDE connector on the Motherboard and both IDE slots on the cable are taken by CD drives. When I start the computer it goes through the BIOS boot fine and recognizes all my drives but when it goes to start windows it seems to get stuck at a blank screen. The computer boots fine if I disconnect the Maxtor from the IDE extension card. I've tried the Maxtor set as Master, Slave and CS; also removed it from the boot sequence (it's not a bootable drive). Just hoping some one had an idea on this one. Thanks. Setup: Dimension 8400 P4 550 (3.4) 1GB Memory Dual 160 GB (SATA Raid 0) Windows XP Pro

ejn63 · Answer

Try the card in a different PCI slot.

CmA · Answer

Similar happened to me once with a Maxtor (promise) ATA-100 card ... It is a while back but I think I needed to install the card; boot and install card drivers; and only then attached hard disks ... Sorry ... But this may not be it, but it was something like this ... If I think of it later I'll come back, but I recall the exact same symptoms.

bhind · Answer

Thanks for the advice, unfortunately still not having any success. I've tried moving the card around in different PCI slots with no success. I've also installed the newest driver from Maxtor. It seems the card is a Promise Ultra133 Tx2 and so I've also downloaded the drivers and bios (2.20.00.15) from www.promise.com. Neither of these made any difference. Looking around the dell site there seem to be some others who have had similar problems (they have precisions but the symptoms are the same). One claimed success when going to Dell BIOS A01, but my computer is using A03 so I would hope there hasn't been a loss of support.
As a note, I am unable to get into windows or into dos when the harddrive is connected to the Ultra133 Tx2, but either loads fine if the card is installed but not connected to the HD (when loading Disk control bios's it says the BIOS wasn't loaded). Also, when the HD is connected to the Ultra133 Tx2 the bios says "IDE bus master enabled". Not sure if that makes any difference. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Tobbev · Answer

Hi Did you find any solution to the problem? I have the exact same issues with my computer:( /Tobbe

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