Resolved PATA to SATA connection

I use format... from the context menu to wipe drives often, but when I want to "play" with partitions DM isn't very useful, so I use Easeus Partition Master. As for problems, with any app that manipulates partitions, something may go wrong, so always be prepared and well backed up.

 

I know this update is a little slow, but the Holiday Season got in the way.

Basically, nothing is working for me. I accepted Rockster2U's offer and tried the adapter. No luck. I can't even get into Windows with it hooked up. I get to the screen where I have the option to enter Setup or Boot Menu. Selecting either takes me nowhere. It says that it is "entering xxxx ", but it goes no further. If I let it sit, it will not go anywhere, it just stays on that screen. I disconnect the drive and the system boots without a problem. It shouldn't be this hard, right?

I tried the program that JCinvan suggested and that didn't help either.

I have contacted HP about this problem and here is their last response. Honestly, I had to laugh at it. "I would like to inform you that the hard drive you are trying to install belongs to a different operating system. Hence when you are trying to install it using SATA, you are unable to do so. Hence I would request you to obtain a retail version of windows copy. After installing the second hard drive, try to perform recovery using the retail version copy. This is the reason why you are unable to install the second hard drive through SATA." So, after buying their system with Windows 7, I have to buy the retail version of 7 to install a hard drive. Is it me, or does that make no sense what so ever?

I have never had so many problems trying to install a hard drive. Is Windows 7 that different from everything else that I have to relearn how to do everything? Any suggestions on getting this drive installed? Thanks.

Mike

 

It sounds like your computer tries to boot to your new drive when it's plugged in. Did you set the BIOS to boot to your main drive? Also are you using a jumper on your drive? Try putting it in "cable select" usually the 3rd position from the IDE cable.

 

JCinvan,

Yes, my system is set to boot from the main drive. The drive I am trying to install is set to Cable Select. I just checked the main drive and, oddly, there is no jumper on the drive. Of course, it is a SATA drive and, this being my first SATA drive, I'm not sure whether it should have one. There is no jumper on the drive, so I assume that it doesn't need to be set.

Mike

 

Strange behavior, try with the jumper in different place (master, slave, none). If that won't do, only option left I can think of is using a USB enclosure.

Sata drives do not have jumpers.

 

No luck when I move the jumper. My concern is that, if it won't recognize this, will it recognize an additional SATA drive? I even tried different SATA connections. I have 4 available and I tried them all with no change. As far as the BIOS is concerned, the only setting I see for SATA is the controller mode. I have the options of IDE, RAID, and AHCI. Right now, it's set to RAID.

Mike

 

I remember reading something about Xp not been able to read Raid, this is far fetch both might be worth a try: use the IDE option in the BIOS and see what happens.

 

Before making a change in BIOS, I am putting this drive into a Windows 7 system. I'm not sure if that makes a difference.

Mike

 

Ya I remember, yet because you are using a sata adapter and the drive is an IDE, just maybe. You can just change it back if it makes no difference.

 

I just caught up to the recent events and would concur that trying IDE instead of RAID in your BIOS may bring some relief. I would follow by heading into disk management and seeing if the drive is then recognized. You need to keep this jumpered CS with that adapter.

As to the HP help comment - unbefrigginlievable. Definately worth the price of admission. They belong in the Hall of Shame with that one.

 

I would have to agree. I couldn't decide if I should laugh or get mad. So I laughed and then told them what a stupid comment that was.

I changed the SATA setting to IDE and the system didn't like that. I never did get into Windows with that setting. If only the motherboard had an IDE connection. For some reason they did put a Floppy connection on the board. Go figure.

Mike

 

Sounds like the $20 USB enclosure is the next move.

Strange when I set mine on Ide it works just the same, and the XP disk could "see" my SATA drives...

Some time way back my 500 Gb disappeared, seemed to be dead. I bought a new 1 Tb and some time later the 500 Gb reappeared, just like it had gone, did that ounce more some time later and has been fine ever since. Never figured out why it did that...

 

Problem fixed! While going through things again with the adapter, and connecting and reconnecting things, I found out that one of the power connections, on the adapter or hard drive, was not completely in. Man, do I feel stupid. I never even thought about that since the drive had been recognized in BIOS. I have started and restarted the system numerous times without a hitch. I went into Disk Management and the drive is recognized as healthy and online. The full drive is ready to be used. I had a feeling it was something small that I was forgetting. I appreciate all your help with this!! Now it's back to my network transfer speed problem. Oh boy.

Mike

 

Glad you did figure it out.

 

Great - I thought you had your head in a snowbank but decided it would be best to hold such comments. Your perseverance is admirable.

 

Definitely plenty of snowbanks here! Maybe I should stick my head in one and try to freeze all the misc thoughts out of my head. Then maybe I could think clearly again.