[RESOLVED] SATA burner not recognized in XP

[usil]

It is recognized in BIOS, but XP doesn't recognize it at all. I'm not certain that it's a Windows problem though, because when I make the burner the first load option, the computer hangs looking for a cd, even if there is no cd in the burner. I have considered flashing the BIOS for am a little wary of doing that as it's a cheap ECS board and can't be 100% certain what model it is. I don't want to get it wrong.

Any suggestions?

[Platypus]

Have SATA drivers been installed? eg is there already a SATA HDD operating in the system

"The first load option" - does this mean the first boot option to boot from CD?

[usil]

No SATA hd's installed. I have tried to go to the website and download the mobo drivers, but ECS being ECS, the website doesn't work properly!

[Platypus]

Most probably installing the appropriate SATA drivers will solve the issue. If we know what model of ECS board it is, it probably won't be too difficult to source the right SATA drivers elsewhere.

[usil]

The download page finally works, but there are no sata drivers available, only SATA RAID drivers. Do you think I should try installing those? Any other suggestions?

[Shinma]

Since you did not state model of the ECS mobo in question...

If mobo model is using ATi/AMD or nForce chipset,
It should not require any drivers with an up to date WindowsXP.

[usil]

Since you did not state model of the ECS mobo in question...

If mobo model is using ATi/AMD or nForce chipset,
It should not require any drivers with an up to date WindowsXP.

It's either a 661fx-m or 661fx-m Deluxe. The chipset is SIS.
I have already ordered the customer an IDE burner (didn't have any in stock), but I am still curious to know what the problem is, and if it can be solved until tomorrow before the IDE burner gets here, than all the better.

I'm quite certain now that the problem is not a Windows issue though. Bios reads the drive without a problem, but if I choose the burner as the first boot device, it hangs while trying to read from the drive.

[Shinma]

Was SATA enabled in the BIOS/CMOS menu?

If you decide to flash the BIOS,
Do NOT, I repeat, do NOT use their Windows BIOS flasher.
Too many feedbacks of failures.
I should know, I ended with a non-functioning mobo for over a week.
Had to hot flash to get it up and running again.
Suggest using the old DOS based method with a floppy.

[Shinma]

Forgot to mention,
To enable/disable SATA support,
It may be under Integrated Peripherals...

On second thought,
Considering the age of the system,
May want to just stick with that IDE/PATA writer instead.

[usil]

Yes, it is enabled in BIOS.

I am not going to take a chance with flashing the bios. If I ruin the mobo, I'll be in a lot of trouble, having to compensate the customer for an already crappy socket 478 mobo. Just not worth it.

[Shinma]

Agreed.
Besides, not sure how good the SATA support is from SiS, back then.

[Train]

Manual date of 2003/12/12

I'd forget about SATA unless you added a non-RAID SATA card.
BIOS update does not say any thing about SATA either.
http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWebSite/Dow...nuID=0&LanID=0

[usil]

I received the IDE burners this morning and installed them one.

Weird how the board comes with SATA but it doesn't actually work. But then again, we are talking about ECS.

Thank you all for your input!