Dual SATA HDD Computer

I have a server which I want to put to another use. I now want to use it as my Ghost image server. I have installed Windows 2003 Standard edition and I have Ghost working serving the images. I have now put a second SATA HDD [the same specification as the first] into the server and now Windows 2003 will not boot. It gets as far as the Windows splash screen with the progress bar but goes no further. The progress bar does not move at all and the screen is very dark. When I try to re-install Windows with the second HDD in place Setup stalls before the stage where it looks for previous installs of Windows. If I disable the first HDD and boot from the newly installed HDD the old Windows 2000 does boot successfully [The screen displays at normal brightness] and I am able to logon as administrator, but Windows wants to upgrade/repair the installation before going any further [This condition has been inherited from the two old servers the disks came from]

The reason for putting a second HDD in this server is that the images take up more space than is available on one disk.

So does anyone know how to get two SATA HDDs working in one machine or can anyone see what I am doing wrong? Thanks.

Additional: Server Specification:

Chip: Intel Celeron 2.4 GHz

RAM: 1008 Mb [DDR226 Operating in single-channel dynamic paging mode]

Start Windows 2003 in Safe Mode: Boot hangs at acpitabl.dat.

Which version of SATA does the motherboard support? Which version of SATA do (both) the drives support?

As both drives are the same surely this is not a factor? How would I check these values anyway?

...have you tried formating the drive and then installing it into your server?

I had thought of that, but have not got around to trying it yet. I suppose I would either low level format, or format it with NTFS on it. That is my next move I think [NTFS]

Which version of SATA does the motherboard support? Which version of SATA do (both) the drives support?

 

As both drives are the same surely this is not a factor? How would I check these values anyway?

I think Geoff is hinting at there maybe being a dip switch or similar on your drives that turn them to be SATA I (150) or SATA II (300) compatible. Certainly on my Seagate drives there's something like that, so worth checking you don't have one set to SATA 300 and the other to 150.

..., so worth checking you don't have one set to SATA 300 and the other to 150.

OK. I will open the server and have a look. Thanks for that.

Which version of SATA does the motherboard support? Which version of SATA do (both) the drives support?

 

As both drives are the same surely this is not a factor? How would I check these values anyway?

I think Geoff is hinting at there maybe being a dip switch or similar on your drives that turn them to be SATA I (150) or SATA II (300) compatible. Certainly on my Seagate drives there's something like that, so worth checking you don't have one set to SATA 300 and the other to 150.

Yes, exactly. Also, buyers beware. Some SATA II drives have no switch! Making it impossible to get them to run at SATA I speeds.

OK. I have put the second HDD in a SATA enabled workstation. After waiting for a bit the workstation found the drive and the Windows 2000 data. I have now deleted all of the partitions and I am now formatting the drive with NTFS. Fingers crossed.

Incidentally there are no dip switches on these drives so that would make them SATA II?

Incidentally there are no dip switches on these drives so that would make them SATA II?

I could be wrong but I've heard tell of some SATA drives that have to set using a utility from the manufacturer (usually avail on their website). No idea which models or manufacturers as I've not used ought but Seagates in a while but worth checking out.

I could be wrong but I've heard tell of some SATA drives that have to set using a utility from the manufacturer (usually avail on their website). No idea which models or manufacturers as I've not used ought but Seagates in a while but worth checking out.

Can anyone point me in the direction of such a utility. I have searched the Seagate website [These are Seagate ST3120026AS SATA disks] and found and downloded the Seagate DiscWizard but it does not want to run. Is this the utility I should be using? Is it the only way to resolve this issue?

As an update I have now installed Windows 2003 on the other HDD [originally had Windows 2000 installed] while formatting the first. I now have the same problem as before: Windows does not boot and the splash screen is darker than it would be normally.

That particular drive will only run at SATA I speeds. It's incapable of SATA II.

I suspect it's either a driver problem or a motherboard issue. I suggest you check for any BIOS updates. Then make yourself a fresh driver floppy disk and install W2k3 (preferably with SP2 slipstreamed in) from scratch.

DaveP can you let us know the make/model of the mainboard and/or server?

We may be able to help better if we have this info.

That particular drive will only run at SATA I speeds. It's incapable of SATA II.

 

I suspect it's either a driver problem or a motherboard issue. I suggest you check for any BIOS updates. Then make yourself a fresh driver floppy disk and install W2k3 (preferably with SP2 slipstreamed in) from scratch.

I had started to think that it might involve an update of the BIOS.

...can you let us know the make/model of the mainboard and/or server?

 

We may be able to help better if we have this info.

I am at home at the moment and all I can remember about it is that it is Intel based and something over three years old. I will look into it some more tomorrow. Thanks.

OK. After powering up this is what is displayed on screen:

Copyright 1996 -2004 Intel Corporation

Intel Corporation D865GLC Desktop Board

Serial Number: ABLC********

BF86510A.86A.0060.P16.0404121116 This is the bios version

Intel® Celeron® Processor, 2.4 Ghz

I have found the bios update download here: Link

I will give the update a try and post the results here.

Dave

I have come across a problem on my home pc where if an sata lead is not properly seated in the drive it creates the same problem of what your having now. Also, just a random question, what power supply are you using in terms of watts. Just wondered if you had any over devices running.

Dave

 

I have come across a problem on my home pc where if an sata lead is not properly seated in the drive it creates the same problem of what your having now. Also, just a random question, what power supply are you using in terms of watts. Just wondered if you had any over devices running.

SATA leads correctly seated in the motherboard and in the drives [i have just checked them]

Power supply details:

Make: Ever

Model: ST-250BLP

Power: There are several tabulated entries for power on the side of the supply. Left to right and top to bottom they read:

In the Voltage column:

Max [power] 150 W 156 W

Max 226 W

In the Current column:

Max 24 W

In the Frequency column:

Total power 250 W.

Bios update status:

Bios version is now: BF86510A.86A.0077.P25

Bios version was: BF86510A.86A.0060.P16.0404121116

The bios update does not appear to have solved the problem.

You have a 230W PSU. That's rather pathetic.

I agree

I had a quick look at the bios update versions and nothing seems to be mentioned in relation to fixing the nature of the problem.

do you have a spare PSU with a bit more beef?

You have a 230W PSU. That's rather pathetic.

 

I agree

 

I had a quick look at the bios update versions and nothing seems to be mentioned in relation to fixing the nature of the problem.

 

do you have a spare PSU with a bit more beef?

No but what I have tried since my last post is to disconnect the CD drive [taking my lead from the posts about the PSU] The server has just started succesfully with two SATA drive in place. Looks like I will have to do without a CD or DVD drive in this server as I don't have any other PSUs knocking around. No great loss, as once I have completed all my updates I don't think I will need the CD drive again. I will use an external CD drive for those updates.

Thanks for the help guys.

Of course... Power!.. Should have thought of that with them being SATA's.

tbh, a new power supply isn't too expensive and would improve the survivability of the server plus get your CD back.. plenty around for less than £30 that are of decent spec. Avoid cheap cr*p though.

I'd spend a little more than £30 and get a decent branded PSU. Especially as it's a server.

for example, how about a Corsair VX450U for £39?