RAID controller will not start (Asus K8V Deluxe)

[f00ge]

Just got the Asus K8V Deluxe.

I have 3 HD + 1 CD drive attached to to normal IDE controller.
Got a 4th HD that is attached to the RAID controller.
I've set the Promise RAID controller to run normal ATA mode in the BIOS.


Now, when installing the drivers, I get this message:
"Cannot Start this Hardware"
"There was a problem installing this hardware:"
"WinXP Promise FastTrak 378(tm) Controller"
"The device cannot start. (Code 10)

Obviously, it will not work. Can't see my HD.
I've tried both the ATA and RAID driver. Same result.

What's wrong here?

I'm using WinXP pro SP1, btw.

[TOAD6147]

If XP is anything like Win2k you need to have the driver disk when you first start installing the OS.

[f00ge]

Originally posted by TOAD6147
If XP is anything like Win2k you need to have the driver disk when you first start installing the OS.

I have 3 other HDs. They all are on the 'normal' IDE controller.
So I installed Windows there.

The one I can't get to work is sitting on the RAID controller - and should, according to the manual, be running like the other 3 in ATA133 mode.

But it won't.

[sfw1960]

Gotta love the bleeding edge.....
"Inexpensive " AND bug-free!!
Is the controller sharing in the POST screen??

[f00ge]

Originally posted by sfw1960
Gotta love the bleeding edge.....
"Inexpensive " AND bug-free!!
Is the controller sharing in the POST screen??

No.

And another ting:
I can't enter the BIOS of it. I'm supposed to be able to press tab during post to go there.
Nothing happens, it just boots windows.

[sfw1960]

Tab USUALLY removes the boot logo screen , DELETE should get you into the BIOS
Sometimes F2 also (or F1)

[f00ge]

Originally posted by sfw1960
Tab USUALLY removes the boot logo screen , DELETE should get you into the BIOS
Sometimes F2 also (or F1)

Dunno what went wrong, but now it's working. (the tab thing)

However, the controller is still dead in Windows.
I've just reinstalled, using a floppy to do the "Press F6 to specify other SCSI devices"

No luck.

[f00ge]

OK, this board is very weird, indeed.

Let me say first: I DID read the manual. Asus did a VERY poor job on this manual.

Anyway, here's how I got it to work (after hours and hours of eliminating possibilities)

The whole key is the 1394 port. (which, according to the manual, is some sort of an audio port).

Load setup defaults in BIOS.
Boot.
Press Ctrl+F when you see the 3rd BIOS screen.
Setup one RAID array with your HD.
Boot back to BIOS.
In BIOS, make sure you have enabled the 1394!
The Promise RAID has to be set at RAID mode. (even though the manual states it should be IDE mode, if you're only using one HD)

That's how I got it to work.
Shame on you, Asus, for making such a useless manual!

Hope this will help others, who run into the same problem.