PC Problems - long post - SATA issues

mo786

mo786

mo786

Associate
Joined
12 Sep 2005
Posts
215
Hi

I have an odd problem that I cannot quite diagnose. Any help appreciated.

I have an Arock motherboard (http://www.asrock.com/mb/overview.asp?Model=ConRoeXFire-eSATA2&s=775) - and a Western Digital SATA 500GB drive.

Basically I have been using Vista since it came out on RTM (about 10 months now). What would happen with my OLD Samsung 400GB HDD was that it would randomly freeze and crash and just became a nightmare. I thought the reason was that the HDD was faulty so I replaced it with my current WD one which is only a couple of months old now.

Only thing is the problems continue and have gotten worse. I have run the SPINRITE testing tool on the HDD and after 33 hours testing it reported no problems.

I updated the BIOS firmware from 1.60 to 2.00 in case it was a problem with the mobo not being able to do SATA properly but if anything the problems have gotten worse.

Some of the problems:

PC will boot up and take AGES to get past the IDE/SATA drives found.

PC will get past the POST screen and then say ‘Insert boot media’

PC will get past POST and then say ‘disc read error. Press ctl atl del to restart’

PC will randomly freeze in Vista and sometimes have to be rebooted. This happens sometimes after a couple of hours after a fresh install and sometimes a few days after. I got this Mobo when I got Vista and for a while it ran it rock solid with my SATA hard drive.

I doubt it is a Vista problem as it is affecting the PC before it even gets to Vista.

The odd thing is I have a spare HDD that is IDE and I can use that with Vista and it runs PERFECT. So either I am unlucky with dodgy SATA HDDs OR something is wrong with SATA on the mobo or Vista (I doubt Vista as I am sure millions of people use SATA..)

My research shows me no reports from people with similar mobos.

I also have another ASROCK Mobo running downstairs on another PC and its fine with SATA (different model though).

I have tried various things like changing the SATA wire, trying different SATA inputs on the mobo and updating the BIOS but nothing has worked. I have also looked around in the BIOS and have set the drive to be seen as IDE, ACHI, RAID and have left it on IDE as recommended by ASROCK.

So should I buy another HDD? IDE this time – benefit of this is that I have the old 500gb HDD that I can use in my media PC.

Or do I buy a new Mobo – benefit of this is that it will cost half as much as a new HDD, BUT, I will then have a second mobo that is effectively useless as I won’t be building another PC with it.

Finally, and probably most annoyingly the problem is intermittent. Sometimes the HDD will work fine and I can carry on using the PC as normal (like now).

Any ideas?
 
As the problem persists outside of windows, using different drives, and different SATA cables, it seems pretty likely to me that it is an issue with the SATA controller on your mobo.

If you've got plenty of spare IDE channels then the easiest option would be just to get an IDE HD. That way at least you aren't really wasting any money and it is a relatively hassle-free solution.
 
How coudl i go about fixing it or testing for a problem?

Its an INTEL sata controller IIRC.

Thing is a 500gb IDE HDD costs like 70quid delivered which will be an annoyance!

A Mobo can probbaly had for 30quid..tho not an asrock :p
 
mo786 said:
I also have another ASROCK Mobo running downstairs on another PC and its fine with SATA (different model though).

Any ideas?
Click to expand...
Trouble-shooting can be a right **** sometimes but hang in there! :)

In your boots I would install the *suspect* disk into my second machine and leave it running there for a few days (or enought time to give it a good testing and see if any issues appear on the second machine).
 
I had similar problems, sometimes the motherboard didn't even detect SATA devices at all until after several CMOS resets/PSU power offs.

When it did detect the HDD Windows would freeze randomly with the HDD indicator constantly lit. Originally thought it was the HDD so got a new one along with new PSU, RAM, graphics and DVD-RW but the problem persisted.

Got a new mobo for the machine and it's fine ever since.
 
About to start an anti-ASRock group! My 939Dual-SATA2 was a pain in the... It worked, but stability & other little issues we're just a joke :mad:

First major issue I had was immediately after installing OS. System would randomly freeze. That was thanks to mobo drivers from website (even CD ones). Had to get others from chipset maker site, i.e. ULi & worked fine. So don't know if the same fix for yours (on Intel site)?
 
mo786 said:
How coudl i go about fixing it or testing for a problem?

Its an INTEL sata controller IIRC.

Thing is a 500gb IDE HDD costs like 70quid delivered which will be an annoyance!

A Mobo can probbaly had for 30quid..tho not an asrock :p
Click to expand...

I guess it depends on how long you are planning on keeping your mobo for.

For me, personally, I'd say spending £70 on a 500gig HD is better than £30-40 on a mobo, because with the latter you aren't really gaining anything (apart from working SATA ports...) Whereas with the new HD you are gaining 500gig. It is also infinitely easier and less hassle to install a new HD than a new mobo.

Obviously if you are planning on keeping this rig a long time (and hence maybe wanting to add more drives) then it may be worth ditching the mobo now. Otherwise I think you'd be wasting your money.
 
Hello - sorry to bring this up again!

I sent it back to the shop and they sent it back to the manufaturer and they (the shop) are now sending me back the same model but a new one.

Question is - if its an onboard SATA problem will it be a problem amongst the entire batch of models or a certain batch do you think?

Otehrwise I am sort of in the same position as before but with a different mobo!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom