Just a quick post to expand on my comment in a previous post on switching to AHCI mode (to enable full SATA functionality) after installation (in IDE emulation mode) of the operating system. See this for further information. This is particularly useful if, for whatever reason, an F6 floppy install of the SATA drivers proves futile.
Here is the thread I found. I basically followed those instructions, except it's an MSI-specific forum, so I believe the IATA621_CD.EXE file specified may be such. I also believe the IATA88CD.exe file I found on my driver disk from Gigabyte is the corresponding file. Nevertheless, to be safe, I downloaded the Intel Matrix Storage Manager executable directly from Intel, to be sure I had the real goods.
I then followed the instructions, but I used the text found here. It was a bit of a long shot, perhaps, but mine is a ICH10R-based board, and that was supposed to work... and it did! I did have a couple devices (IDE primary and secondary controllers, to be precise) show the infamous yellow question marks by them for a few reboots while I installed other drivers, and then they resolved themselves.
So, there you have it: an ex post facto method to enable SATA mode.
NB: Only tested with 32-bit Windows XP Professional and the specified Intel chipset.
Last Friday (4.10.09), Nathaniel, Hugh, Elliot, and I gathered to build the computer I had researched and purchased the parts for. It was my first build, and quite educational and satisfying, even if it did thwart our purposes until the early hours of the morning.
Specs:
Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3R
Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 Kentsfield 2.4GHz
PC Power & Cooling S61EPS 610W
ATI HIS Radeon HD 4850 512MB DDR3
Crucial 4GB PC2-8500/DDR2-1066
Western Digital Caviar Blue 320GB SATA 7200rpm
LG 22X DVD±R Black SATA GH22NS30
COOLER MASTER Centurion 5 CAC-T05-UW
LG 19" Flatron W1952TQ-TF
The log of events:
5:13:00pm Watches synchronized.
5:16:26pm Pictures of components.
5:18:28pm Case removed from box.
5:19:35pm Side panel removed.
5:23:19pm Pictures of heart throbbing loot.
5:28:00pm Preinstall SATA drivers downloaded from Asia.
5:31:23pm Front panel removed.
5:33:41pm Motherboard drivers transfered to floppy disc via USB floppy drive.
5:47:27pm Moved to kitchen in order to circumvent electro-static discharge risk.
5:51:52pm Removed motherboard from box and anti-static bag.
6:03:54pm I/O panel busted out after much difficulty.
6:04:09pm Installed I/O panel.
6:14:49pm Standoffs installed.
6:17:47pm Motherboard mounted.
6:33:31pm Began testing screws due to irregularity in tightness.
6:35:54pm Standoff discrepancy diagnosed and motherboard removed.
6:49:39pm Discovered we had no less than FOUR faulty standoffs.
7:05:59pm Dinner break.
8:15:21pm Motherboard installed.
8:21:14pm Power supply installed.
8:38:51pm Front panel connections established.
8:50:45pm Prepared heatsink for installation.
8:53:34pm CPU installed!!!
8:57:03pm Checked motherboard screw tightness.
8:03:52pm Arctic Silver thermal compound applied to CPU.
9:08:12pm Heatsink installed.
9:12:27pm After much deliberation decided to install HDD in the top slot.
9:14:49pm HDD installed.
9:23:41pm Memory modules installed.
9:34:33pm GPU installed
9:42:27pm Optical drive installed.
9:56:08pm Double checked everything.
10:09:07pm POST!!!
10:14:36pm The zip-tie attack begins.
10:59:07pm Windows XP installed.
11:14:01pm BSOD due to incorrectly configured AHCI BIOS options.
11:26:07pm Began reinstalling Windows XP, having floppy problems.
12:20:00pm Tried enabling Mode 3 Floppy support.
3:24:17pm Must.... have..... sleeep.
[Next day]
2:07:14pm Successfully switched to AHCI mode after Windows XP installation.
Last Friday, Hugh Donovan and I put together the computer parts that he had researched and ordered. Below is a rough reproduction of the email he sent out about it. We took plenty of pictures, and kept a log as we worked. From the time I got there to the time I left, it was about eleven hours!
Computer build number two, again educational, and entertaining.
Specs:
Intel Q6600 Core 2 Quad 2.4GHz Kiensfield
Gigabyte EP45-UD3R Motherboard w/ onboard sound
4 GB Crucial Memory
640 GB Western Digital SATA HDD
Sapphire ATI 4850 Graphics
LG 19" Flatron Monitor
The log of events:
4:58:18pm Figured out we were trying to mount PSU upside-down. Thinking of case modifications. LOL!!!
4:59:50pm Mounted PSU.
5:05:53pm Busted out rear I/O panel.
5:10:00pm Synchronized watches.
5:20:36pm Pictures of GPU.
5:22:56pm Removed motherboard from antistatic bag.
5:31:55pm Cut out ethernet port from Gigabyte I/O panel.
5:34:30pm Installed Gigabyte I/O panel.
5:37:30pm Marked paper with motherboard ground holes.
5:58:50pm Decided the discrepancies in standoff type didn't matter.
6:07:09pm Installed motherboard.
6:16:55pm Mounted motherboard screws.
6:21:53pm Figured out how to remove front plate.
6:25:10pm Removed drive bay cover.
6:28:25pm Mounted optical bay and went to eat biscuits.
6:48:23pm Hard drive mounted.
6:49:25pm CPU removed from box.
7:00:00pm CPU clamped into place, despite useless Intel manual.
7:00:15pm Heat sink removed from case; Hugh went to get a plastic bag.
7:07:00pm Applied Arctic Silver thermal compound to heat sink.
7:09:08pm Applied Arctic Silver thermal compound to CPU.
7:18:06pm CPU fan connector installed.
7:19:21pm CPU heat sink mounted.
7:24:09pm First memory module installed.
7:24:29pm Second memory module installed.
7:25:55pm Discovered CPU and heat sink mounting instructions in motherboard manual. (Nice going, Intel.)
7:28:59pm 24-pin motherboard power connector installed.
7:41:14pm Front panel indicators completed.
7:45:20pm Front panel communications completed.
7:57:18pm Video card installed and connected to power supply unit.
8:11:02pm Serial ATA cables installed.
8:14:38pm The zip-tie attack begins.
8:38:00pm Called Gavrik for final check.
8:43:29pm CPU power connector installed... (might be a good idea)
9:02:53pm POST!!!!!!
9:14:27pm Booted Ubuntu, discussed hard drive status.
9:18:03pm Terminated call with Gavrik.
9:34:54pm Hugh attempts to boot hard drive diagnostics.
9:46:55pm Left to get fresh air after starting extended hard drive test.
11:04:09pm Transferring drivers to USB disks for installation.
[Played Wolfenstein for one hour.]
12:05:58am Drivers installed.
12:53:06am Basic applications installed.
12:55:54am Rearranged component wires.
1:30:34am Desk setup initiated.
1:49:43am Desk setup completed.
1:56:24am Network connection established.
1:59:46am Test page printed.
2:03:27am Sound successfully tested.
2:04:35am Computer clock set.
2:16:52am The Witcher installed!!!
