SATA controller boot problem

hello.. I have a Samsung 80 GB SATA HDD on a Sil 3112A controller. the motherboard is Asus A7n8x-E Deluxe. i had on this HDD both Win XP Prof and Fedora Core 4. when I tried to install Win, because of Fedora, I couldn't. using Partition Magic 8.05 I formatted the Fedora Partitions and then tried to install Win. but after this operation the SATA won't boot anymore. I can't boot any SATA HDD on my computer but my HDD is ok on another computer. I can use the HDD but as a secondary device, not the one to boot. I did a reset on the system BIOS, I deleted the MBR and made again the partitions, I did many formats on the HDD using different tools, including fdisk, but nothing worked. i'm sure the problem is with the controller. maybe anyone knows a solution. thank you

hello cristisor,

When you used Partition Magic, most likely the MBR and Boot loader got messed up. I would low level format the drive after you pulled all important information of it (forget Fdisk). In general I would let Lilo (Boot Loader) handle the Boot process. First install Fedora and manually create the partition, then install Windows XP. As to the SATA controller; have you tried to use a different SATA hard drive on that system?
I don't think it's a problem with the SATA Controller.
But of course You never know, somethimes $#@t happens.

Also is this onboard SATA or PCI SATA card?

hello quasimodo,
I have tried another SATA HDD with WinXP already installed and it won't boot.. the same thing happens, it tries to load win and after one second dies and I receve this error:
STOP: 0x0000007B(0xF894D528, 0xC0000034, 0x00..0, 0x00..0) with the lovel blue screen in the back.. Microsoft says about this error like this:
STOP: 0x0000007B (parameter1, parameter2, parameter3, parameter4)
INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE.
but I already installed win xp on my HDD but on another computer and it worked just fine
the SATA is onboard and it is Sil3112A.. maybe somewhere the GRUB boot loader that Fedora used, I think this is the name, left some things behind even after format. I was thinking to use a Fedora CD in order to try the check if the GRUB is still somewhere in the Controller "BIOS".. I already did a low level format on the HDD and a reset on the main bios and still nothing.. another ideea would be to rewrite the BIOS. thanks for your help

Hi,

that's not surprising. If that XP was installed on another computer, it won't boot in any other one, because it cannot access that very disk controller it was first installed on. when I changed the motherboard in my PC, I got the same blue screen, then I had to reinstall everything.
Does anybody have a solution for this?
As to your case, Cristisor, it is good to clear the beginning of the drive with a zero-fill tool, then try normaly instal XP with its own disk/partiiton manager.
regards,
pepe

hello pepe,
when I tried to boot the other HDD I did it just to see if it starts loading win xp.. but the problem was the same, the error was the same. so the same error on 2 HDD which work just fine on other computers. i wrote the MBR whit zeros and the same. I made those partitions at least 10 times, I think I already have some bad sectors because of formatting again and again. I still beleve the controller is the problem

Hi,

...I got the same blue screen, then I had to reinstall everything.
Does anybody have a solution for this?

2pepe
Yes you can use repair(second one), not recovery console. To be able to see the message that ask you to pres the key for recover you must use same CD you install the OS, or at least same release of OS version.
2cristisor
Enter the BIOS and set the boot device to SCSI.

boot device is already set to SCSI

Hi cristisor,
have you try to erase lba 0 to 100 with MHDD(or other) and then try to install again on same PC.

yes I have tried anything but to flash the SATA Bios(firmware). but I don't know how to do this, I only flashed the motherboard's BIOS. if someone knows how to do it and where can I find a revision for my controller pls tell me. the motherboard is Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe and the controller is Sil 3112A. thank you

Hi,

Scan with MHDD?
does it show errors?

pepe

yes I already did. no errors. pls try to help me with what I asked before

@cristisor
PM to me: vsc_at_repairman.com

Pepe

STOP: 0x0000007B INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE

This usually happens when you switch HD controllers or different motherboards. To fix set BIOS to boot priorty to CD or DVD Rom 1st thne boot from Windows XP CD(press any key) next if you have a newer motherboard or use SATA or RAID(press F6 - make sure F lock key on) next Windows will load. If you pressed F6 at the beginning you need the floppy(stupid but only way -USB floppy works) drviers which would be on your motherboard CD or at MB manufactures website. Click enter when it shows 1 or more controllers. Setup resumes it asks about Recovery Console skip or press Enter. Very important read(EULA)(lol) Press F8. At the bottom searching for previous Windows. It should show REPAIR at the bottom select this option. Windows will do a repair install. You will need to install Windows updates again.

Things to watchout for are certain pirated Windows version Do Not Allow or have the repair option and ***Windows XP pre-SP1 do not support 48bit LBA(120 GB or higher). I have done it 100's of times and only 3 problems. Best to backup first.

Cristisor

I have three of those boards and all still working fine. You said you updated the BIOS there are a couple different version of that motherboard make sure you pick the correct one by looking the version. There are also 3rd party BIOS flashes available if you like playing with settings(overclocking).

Did you press F6 and install the SATA controller driver?
Also try SATA2 port on motherboard.