I have just created a new Pc using an ASUS P5W deluxe motherboard and Intel 2.4 GHz dual core processor. I have 2 Seagate Barracuda HDD attached to motherboard. HD Disk 1 is connected to the SATA1 connector, disk 2 is connected to the SATA3. A Samsung Combo drive is attached to SATA4. I also have a floppy drive connected. All motherboard settings are at factory default. BIOS recognises all three devices, but the two HDD are allocated 3rd IDE Master and 3rd IDE Slave setting. The Samsung is recognised as a 4th IDE Slave. BIOS tells me that “Primary IDE Master” and “Primary IDE Slave” are not detected. I used auto connect at 1st start for BIOS for initial setting. Samsung drive will not read from disks, tray opens on startup and also reopens when closed manually. No matter what combination I use for the SATA cable connections I can not get BIOS to recognise a primary HDD drive. Trying to install Vista, but floppy drive is the only drive I currently have access to.

Any help appreciated.:dunce:

Connect one SATA drive. Usually SATA 0.

Connect your DVD/CD as IDE Primary Master.

Connect your floppy drive (for SATA drivers).

Do not connect any other drives.

Verify your BIOS Boot Menu is set to:

1) Floppy

2) DVD/CD

3) HDD

Try now to boot the Vista DVD.

If you get past this point you will need your motherboard SATA/RAID/SCSI drivers on a floppy and press F6 when prompted for additional drivers.

Hi jephree,

Many thanks. Will test your theory. At the moment computer is lying idle.

regards,

lynch444 :dunce: