Solidigm

idata · ‎10-21-2010

What kind of SATA mode to use in Mass Storage Controller Configuration in BIOS?

Hi there,

I am trying to install windows 7 professional x64 on a system using motherboard Intel S5520SCR.

Windows itself should be installed in a

160Gb Intel X25-M Mainstream Sata Solid-State Drive

and I want to install 2 other Seagate Barracuda Hard Drives I have as internal hard drives. In the future I might install a third Seagate Barracuda, that I would still buy, but that's it.

I want to use the hard drives as simple additional storage. I don't need to create any special partitions, I don't want to RAID or anything.

Would you please be so kind to tell me what Mass Storage Controller Configuration to use? I listed below the options in the Bios, with the explanations offered in the Bios.

Thank you very very much, I can't even start to list how many tries I have already tried to do this.

(if it makes any difference my graphics card is a Nvidia FX1800)

Hard drives:

-Intel 160Gb Intel X25-M for windows 7 x64

-Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 ST31000528AS 1Tb for additional storage only, single partition-Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST3500320AS 500Gb for additional storage only, single partition - potentially a new Barracuda someday (for additional storage only, single partition).

Options in the BIOS

Enhanced - Supports up to 6 SATA ports with IDE Native Mode.

Compatibility - SUpports up to 4 SATA ports [0/1/2/3] with IDE Legacy mode and 2 SATA ports [4/5] with IDE Native Mode.

[AHCI] - Supports all SATA ports using the Advanced Host Controlled Interface.

AHCI Option ROM - Enable or Disable the onboard Advanced Host Controller Interface (AHCI) option ROM. Note: For AHCI capability in EFI, the AHCI Legacy Option ROM should be set to [Disabled].

[SW RAID] - Supports configuration of SATA ports for RAID via RAID configuration software.

Edward_Z_Intel · ‎10-23-2010

Could you provide more details about "No success"? In which step did you encounter the error? Do you have the exact error message?

idata · ‎10-23-2010

I used AHCI with AHCI Option ROM Enabled.

I have not seen a BIOS setting that allows this AHCI & AHCI Option ROM configuration but I think all desktop motherboard have this AHCI Option ROM disabled when only setting AHCI.

Or for it to work with the AHCI Option ROM you need drivers that you load in the Win setup:

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProdId=2101&DwnldID=18861&ProductFamily=Chips...®+Rapid+Storage+Technology+(Intel®+RST)&lang=eng http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProdId=2101&DwnldID=18861&ProductFamily=Chips...

or ones listed for S5500 Based Servers that work on desktops anyway.

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=18667&lang=eng http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=18667&lang=eng

idata · ‎10-23-2010

Thank you very much for the help.

I will try with with the drivers. thank you for the link , did not find it before. Did look for it.

I case you could help this is what is happening:

Let me know if you know additional details.

Basically I used the Intel Deplyoment Assistant to update everything motherboard drivers. Installed windows 7 pro x64 successfully. Updated on the internet. Working fine.

Decided to put in two SATA Barracuda Seagate drives I have. The drives were previously running in another machine with Vista Ultimate x86.

Windows crashed/froze after loading the desktop.

I tried to reinstall, not working. Windows freezes install process at the second stage of its process "2 Installing Windows". After it expands the files. After the first boot on the SSD. The progress bar in the bottom is frozen. Mouse frozen, BUT "Completing installation.." in Bold still cycle the dots . .. ...

I tried several options to install both, alone and together.

Memory has been tested.

First Barracuda 1T has been "clean all"'ed in the disk part. (no partition was created.)

Teste reinstall with AHCI.

Now, I just tried again to reinstall the SSD alone after "clean all" with BIOS on its original settings: "ENHANCED"

Installation is always interrupted in the same place as mentioned before. 2/3 into, give or take, the green progress bar in the bottom of the "2 installing windows"

Many thanks, any help is very welcome.

Eric

System details:

Windows 7 Professional x64 OEM Motherboard: Intel S5520SCR 2 Processors: Intel Xeon X5650 Thermal Solution: Intel BXSTS100A Active Thermal Solution w/ Fixed Fan. Graphics Card: Nvidia Quadro FX1800 PCIE16 768Mb GDDR3 (PNY) Memory: Kingston 12GB PC3-10600 DDR3-1333MHz ECC Registered w/ Parity CL9 240-Pin DIMM Single Rank, x4 Memory (Kit of 3) w/ Thermal Sensor (Intel Validated) Internal Disk: 160Gb Intel X25-M Mainstream Sata Solid-State Drive additional storage:

1TB Baracuda 7200.12 Sata 7200 RPM 32Mb 3.5in (ST31000528AS)

500Gb Barracuda 7200.11 (ST3500320AS)

Chassis:

Intel SC5650WS