Any Romtec Trios &/or Asus MB owners here?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Wishy13764
  • Start date Start date
W

Wishy13764

I have a huge problem where these 2 products are involved. I need to install a
special ribbon splitter that says one end goes to the mb power connector, one
goes to the Trios pc card and the other to the MB. This is how its explained in
the user guide. The only way that this seems to make sense is that I have to
remove the power connector from the MB, which means disconnecting power from
the power supply and connect one end of that ribbon to that and the other end
into the same mb connector that I would have to disengage. If this is true,
I've tried to remove that connector from the mb, but its so difficult, that I'm
afraid I may damage the mb and this is a new computer, and void my gurantee. Is
there a special way to unlock that connector? I tried to call ASUS and the tech
support is for the birds these days. I called their non free toll number and it
takes about 5 minutes alone just to hear the recording. As for Romtec a company
in Korea, ( aren't most of these periphials come from that area ) the number on
their user guide is no longer in service according to the operator. I called
TigerDirect , from whom I bought the Trios ) and they are as useless as I am in
trying to make contact with this company. I sent emails, no responses. I
personally believe most of these asian companys purposely make it difficult to
get in touch. I would appreciate any statements, preferbly by those he may have
experience with the removing the connector from the mb. Its not as easy as
removing the IDE connectors. Thanks
 
The connector on the motherboard has a clip on one side.. You should really
be able to see it, Trying to pull the connector out without using your thumb
to open the clip will probably result in some damage (if your heavy handed
enough)..

Basically just push the plug back in (to make sure the clip can easily
release) and then look for it and press the top of the clip firmly in.. Just
like a clothespeg really..
It sounds like you just didnt realise it had a clip so please reply if I got
this wrong
 
Wishy13764 said:
As for Romtec a company in Korea, ( aren't most of these periphials
come from that area ) the number on their user guide is no longer in
service according to the operator. I called TigerDirect , from whom
I bought the Trios ) and they are as useless as I am in trying to make
contact with this company. I sent emails, no responses.
Click to expand...

Interesting about Romtec. I spoke to them by phone as recently
as a week ago, I think. I got their no. from their website,
www.RomtecUSA.com, which I see says it no longer sells directly
to end users. I figured something was up because of their sale prices
that were good only through the month of February. I suspect that
the arrival of SATA will affect their new product designs and business
model as well.

*TimDaniesl*
 
The connector on the motherboard has a clip on one side.. You should really
be able to see it, Trying to pull the connector out without using your thumb
Click to expand...

I saw that clip its on the center. I suspected it may have something to do with
it. I pushed it in and tried to pull the connector..no luck. Now, the other
alternative is pulling that clip away from the connector, but am anxious that I
may break that clip and then i really will be stuck.
 
Wishy13764 said:
thumb

I saw that clip its on the center. I suspected it may have something to do with
it. I pushed it in and tried to pull the connector..no luck. Now, the other
alternative is pulling that clip away from the connector, but am anxious that I
may break that clip and then i really will be stuck.
Click to expand...

That is the clip you need to use.. When you push the clip in (if you can see
well enough) then you can tell if it's not clearing the motherboard part. I
have had them before where the clip is just a tad too close to coming off
for it to be real easy.. Just have a good look at it cause that's what your
going to have to do. As long as your really just trying to use the clips
and not yanking on the wires then you'll probably be okay anyhow..
My suggestion is to look at the connector that they provided to insert
there.. Both ends should hopefully be the same as what your mobo/psu pair
has
 
I tried again with pliers. i pushed against it as far as it can go and I just
can't pull up the connector. I even used a tweezer to try to unlatch that clip
to no avail. I noticed that one end is slacking a bit, but not the other..no
matter how hard I pull. What if I 'cut' that clip? After all, if its this
difficult to pull it off the way it is set up now, if successful and replugging
it, there would be no reason that it should unplug itself in the future. Yes,
those splitter connectors look like the original.
 
Wishy13764 said:
I tried again with pliers. i pushed against it as far as it can go and I just
can't pull up the connector. I even used a tweezer to try to unlatch that clip
to no avail. I noticed that one end is slacking a bit, but not the other..no
matter how hard I pull. What if I 'cut' that clip? After all, if its this
difficult to pull it off the way it is set up now, if successful and replugging
it, there would be no reason that it should unplug itself in the future. Yes,
those splitter connectors look like the original.
Click to expand...

As long as your not planning on moving the pc then yes you could cut the
clip.. I cant say that this is really the best thing to do but if you feel
you have no other choice then do it, just make sure that none of the
shavings stay on the motherboard..

Also make sure the PSU is unplugged from the wall during all of this
 
I tried again with pliers. i pushed against it as far as it can
go and I just can't pull up the connector. I even used a tweezer
to try to unlatch that clip to no avail. I noticed that one end
is slacking a bit, but not the other..no matter how hard I pull.
Click to expand...

You may have a roughness in the nylon shell that makes it very tight.
What if I 'cut' that clip?
Click to expand...

Unlikely to make any difference if you are releasing
it. The tightness will still be a problem.
After all, if its this difficult to pull it off the way it is set
up now, if successful and replugging it, there would be
no reason that it should unplug itself in the future.
Click to expand...

The roughness could be on the motherboard component,
not where the clip is, so you will need that clip where you
plan to plug it when you do get it off, to hold it on there.
Yes, those splitter connectors look like the original.
Click to expand...

The reviews make it appear that the Trios only has
connectors for the DRIVE POWER, not that other
larger two row motherboard power connector.

You quite sure that there is somewhere for that
to plug into the Trios even if you do get it off ?
 
You quite sure that there is somewhere for that
to plug into the Trios even if you do get it off ?
Click to expand...

Yeah, finally got it off without need to cut...phew! Yes that splitter goes
into the one I pulled off and the other end goes straight back into that same
connector. Did all the connections and now a new problem comes up...the MB (
its new computer ) has auto detect, but it doesn' detect any of the hd's now.
I'm writing this on my ancient laptop.
 
Yeah, finally got it off without need to cut...phew! Yes that splitter
goes into the one I pulled off and the other end goes straight back
into that same connector. Did all the connections and now a new
problem comes up...the MB ( its new computer ) has auto detect, but
it doesn' detect any of the hd's now. I'm writing this on my ancient laptop.
Click to expand...

The cabling you were talking about is nothing
like what the pictures in the reviews show.

Most likely thats the problem, you havent got the Trios installed
properly since it is designed to make drives invisible to the system.
 
Wishy13764 said:
Yeah, finally got it off without need to cut...phew! Yes that splitter goes
into the one I pulled off and the other end goes straight back into that same
connector. Did all the connections and now a new problem comes up...the MB (
its new computer ) has auto detect, but it doesn' detect any of the hd's now.
I'm writing this on my ancient laptop.
Click to expand...

I would go into the bios and remove the drives listed, or go in and
autodetect the drive. It could be possible that t he drives listed are
causing the errors (doubtful but possible). I dont know how this card works
either (it's something I would personally never buy). But are you sure that
you have the Trios set to the drive that you want to use?
 
Yeah, finally got it off without need to cut...phew! Yes that splitter
goes into the one I pulled off and the other end goes straight back
into that same connector. Did all the connections and now a new
problem comes up...the MB (its new computer ) has auto detect, but it
doesn' detect any of the hd's now.
I'm writing this on my ancient laptop.
Click to expand...

While I don't have the new electronic Trios (I have the old mechanical
one, though I no longer use it), there are a few things in common you
should look for...

1) Make sure you power-down with the normal front panel switch, not
with the rear toggle switch on the power supply (if your computer
has one) AND you have selected the desired drive configuration via
their selector switch before powering on.
2) Are all the drive's jumpers that are connected to the Trios set as
cable select?
3) It is VERY important you use THEIR cables and they are installed in
the correct orientation according to the manual.

Visit their site http://www.romtecusa.com/trios/product/product.htm for
additional help (support is at... mailto:[email protected]).

HTH,

Charlie LegMan (remove 999 for eMail)
 
The cabling you were talking about is nothing
like what the pictures in the reviews show.

Most likely thats the problem, you havent got the Trios installed
properly since it is designed to make drives invisible to the system.>>>

Well its certainly invisible to the system, the autodetect does not even see
them. Don't know what your referring to about the review pictures. On this
laptop, I havent been able to get to their or anyother web pages..the explorer
is screwed up on this old laptop. I installed according to the instructions
that came with it, used only their cables, set the hd's accordingly...they only
give 2 jummper options...Master,slave,slave or cable select on all three. Done
both ways no luck. the selector automaticaly lights up as soon as I boot the
system and the run button lights up too, but 2 buttons don't light up..there
are 3.
 
Are all the drive's jumpers that are connected to the Trios set as
cable select?>>
They give 2 options..first all 3 set as cable select and/or Master,slave,slave.
i've tried both and no luck..the system does not detect either of them. I only
have the front boot up button.

t is VERY important you use THEIR cables and they are installed in
the correct orientation according to the manual.>>>

Exactly.

AND you have selected the desired drive configuration via
their selector switch before powering on. >>>

Maybe you could of done that with your mechanical version, on mine, one has to
turn on the system, before allowed to make a choice...but being all 3
selections don't light up because the hd's are not detected, i only have one
choice and that is not doing anything. The run button lights up, so this must
mean that its hooked up right..the problem is to get the system to detect these
drives. it has autodetec. I just hope i didn't screw up the bios. can't get to
their web page because explorer is not working on this laptop...but I have been
there prior to this problem and I must say their support sucks from what i've
seen.
 
Maybe you could of done that with your mechanical version, on mine, one
has to
turn on the system, before allowed to make a choice...but being all 3
selections don't light up because the hd's are not detected, i only have one
choice and that is not doing anything. The run button lights up, so this must
mean that its hooked up right..the problem is to get the system to detect these
drives. it has autodetec. I just hope i didn't screw up the bios. can't get to
their web page because explorer is not working on this laptop...but I have been
there prior to this problem and I must say their support sucks from what i've
seen.
Click to expand...

Yes in deed their web pages does suck :)

They only list 2 common problems on the webpage..
One has to do with dells (you said you have an asus MB so I'll not paste
that)
and the other only mentions WD Hard drives.. I'll quote it.

Also.. Double Check all of your connections. Specifically make sure that
the IDE cable from the Card is plugg'd into your primary ide controller and
that nothing else is plugg'd in with it.

Now going by the Install Webpage I would say that there is one problem that
you should check (assuming the motherboard power lead is hooked up
correctly).

1) The PowerSplitter cable (the power cable from the board to the hard
drives) MUST match the IDE Connections
IE, Drive1 Ribbon has HD1 Power, Drive2 Ribbon has HD2 Power, ect..

Just double & triplecheck all connections.



"2. WESTERN DIGITAL DRIVES



We have seen a problem with Western Digital drives. Apparently they
create a boot sector conflict that will prevent them from booting or affect
another drive from booting.

It is recommended installing the OS through the Trios II Plus when
using WD drives. If the drive has already been formatted and you are
experiencing boot problems with this drive or a different drive the western
digital most likely is the problem.

You will need to format the WD drive and install the OS or data from
scratch. A drive image will only put the boot problem back on the drive. Use
a normal format not a quick format on the drive and do it through the Trios.
Making a back up of your drive is recommended.

If the hard drives are functioning normally then this is not
necessary. This only has been seen when a western digital drive is connected
on the Trios.


"
 
Also..
I dont know what they give in the book and there isnt "that much" info on
the webpage so I'll post this page too.."


FAQ [ Frequently Asked Questions ]




Installation
What are the check points when installing the TRIOS II plus?
Connect the TRIOS II plus to the primary IDE slot on the motherboard.
Make sure you plug the power "In" and "Out" cable to the proper interface
on TRIOS II plus.
The HDD power connection need to be plugged into the proper HD. They
connections are indicated with numbers for the appropriate drive.
Use the IDE cables that are provided in our retail package and connect the
TRIOS II plus. IDE standards are not to exceed 18" but work fine with our
cables. Anything longer will usually not work.
Do not install a drive between the motherboard and TRIOS II plus (primary
slave).
Insure IDE cables are plugged in firmly and correctly.


Hard Drives
Is TRIOS II plus compatible with all IDE Drives?
Yes, as long as it is supported in the BIOS, the TRIOS II plus is
compatible with any IDE Hard Drive, CD/ DVD ROM, CD/DVD writer.
Do I need 3 Drives to run TRIOS II plus?
No. You can have one two or three drives and still function normally.

What are the options for hard drive jumper settings?
Setup | Drive 1 | Drive 2 | Drive 3
Option 1| Cable Select | Cable Select | Cable Select
Option 2| Slave | Master | Master

note: Option 2 is used to share a common Data drive with two bootable
drives.

I have a Western Digital Hard Drive. How do I set the jumpers?
Setting the jumpers to the far left closest to the power connection
usually indicates CS. It's recommend to check www.westerndigital.com for
proper jumper settings.
What is the recommended Hard Drive speed?
ATA 66/100/133. Some ATA 33 hard drives are not compatible with the TRIOS
II plus.

Data Cables
What data cables do you recommend on the TRIOS II plus?
The TRIOS II plus retail package contains 4 IDE cables (ATA/133). Using
these cables will result in the best results. Round cables or any standard
IDE cable will work as long as the length is equal or less than the cables
supplied. .
There is a hole (cut out) in the data cables. Is this normal?
Yes, the line cut is normal and does not cause any problems. Line 34 is
cut on all blue heads but we decided to make it visible as well.
Is there any easy way to connect the cables on the TRIOS II plus?
Connect the IDE cables before you slide TRIOS II plus into the computer
tower. It will be easier to check whether you plugged the data cables to
the TRIOS II plus properly.
There is a Blue and Black head on the IDE cables. Which color is supposed to
go to the motherboard?
The Blue head goes to the motherboard and the Black head to TRIOS II plus.
What are the best IDE cables available in the market today?
Teflon Data cables perform best. You can purchase these cables from our
online store.



Electrical Power
What is the recommended power supply type & size for using TRIOS II plus?
ATX power supply and 250 Watts or more is recommended.
My system has AT power supply. Can I still use the TRIOS II plus?
No. We do not have a TRIOS II plus model that works with AT power supply.
I have a Dell computer and can't get the power to the motherboard or control
panel? What should I do?
We do have a special power extension cable which works for special Dell
computers. See below if you have one of these Dell models. If you do,
please fill out an RMA Form and we will be happy to send you a free power
cable.
Are all Drives connected to TRIOS II plus receiving power?
Since TRIOS II plus controls the power distribution to the Drives, only
selected drives are powered up.
Can I switch instantly between operating systems with TRIOS II plus?
No. You have to shut the power off completely every time to switch over.
What should I check on my computer while it is running?
Make sure the cooling fan is running. High temperatures may affect data
transfers between devices.

Configuration
Can I access a data Drive from 2 operating systems and also have a CD-ROM?
Yes. Check Option 2 under jumper settings.

BIOS
How do I set the BIOS?
All new computer models in the past 4 years are pre-configured with Auto
detection. No changes should be made.
My BIOS does not have an auto detect function. Can I still use TRIOS II
plus?
No, you have to upgrade your BIOS. Otherwise, TRIOS II plus will not work.



Advanced BIOS Setting (Technical CMOS setup)
Booting Problem Solution
If you have an Intel Motherboard and are unable to boot, you may have to
disable IDE Busmaster in the BIOS.



General
There are software solutions for running more than one operating systems.
Why should I choose TRIOS II plus?
Software solutions put all the master boot record on the same hard drive.
If a virus or bad boot sector corrupts the MBR you will not be able to boot
to any of your operating systems. The Trios also prevents the other drives
from being corrupted if your computer gets hacked while on the internet,
instead of making them vulnerable.
With the TRIOS II plus, the other 2 operating systems are isolated and are
not accessible.
Can I switch between operating systems (hot swap), while the system is
running?
No, you can run only one drive at a time. Therefore, you have to turn off
the power, and reboot.
Will TRIOS II plus work with a IDE MAC computer system?
Yes. Since TRIOS II plus is compatible with all IDE systems, you can use
Mac's or PC systems
What happens if I accidentally select another selection while the TRIOS II
plus is running?
No worries. TRIOS II plus protects your system by allowing you to select
another hard drive only after the system power has been completely shut
down.
Where do I place the control panel?
We have included an adhesive tape with our retail package so you can stick
it on your computer or place it wherever you want.
Does TRIOS II plus require an extra bay to install?
N o. A TRIOS II plus uses a PCI slot as a holding place. However, it does
not communicate with the PCI slot.
 
Hello, I can't thank you enough for the trouble you've gone through to assist
me. I did the so called 'repair' click on Internet options, and still cannot
get Explorer to function. Probably have to reinstall IE 6. I more than triple
checked my connections and they all are correct. The selector does light up and
run, so apparently the connections are correct. Sounds like the WD may be the
culprit..so tomorrow I will remove the WD and see if the other 2 hd's get
acknowledged by the bios. I have Win 98SE on the WD, and XP on the Maxtor that
came with the new computer. I just hope by all this adding and removing does
not ruin my mb, fragile as they are.Again, thank you. if its alright with you,
I'll keep in touch by this group to let you know how I've progressed:)
 
Wishy13764 wrote:
Again, thank you. if its alright with you, I'll keep in touch by this
group to let you know how I've progressed:)
Click to expand...


Yes, please do.

If I may add, despite you having triple-checked the cabling, have
someone else check it. You'd be surprised how often you could look
at something... yet not see it!

Q: Does it work when ONLY the Maxtor is connected?

Good luck,

Charlie LegMan (remove 999 for eMail)
 
HI, well the bubble has burst. I was afraid of all the times of pulling on
those ide cables, I was going to break one of them and I did. One connector was
stripped of its wires. I had to actually use a pliers to get some of them out.
They make it so difficult to pull them and even some of those power plugs. I
just couldn't handle it anymore and called TigerDirect and they said to send it
back, minus the broken cable which easily replaced, and i'll get a complete
refund, including both shippings. I thought that was kind of neat of them. And
yet, I'm disappointed..I really wanted to keep it..didn't realize it would be
such a hassle, and on a new computer no less. Thanks again for your input, and
makes one's hope justified in the help of some people in this group...if only
tech support of these companys were as well intent. Say tuned for my next
'adventure'..LOL
 
Wishy13764 said:
HI, well the bubble has burst. I was afraid of all the times of pulling on
those ide cables, I was going to break one of them and I did. One connector was
stripped of its wires. I had to actually use a pliers to get some of them out.
They make it so difficult to pull them and even some of those power plugs. I
just couldn't handle it anymore and called TigerDirect and they said to send it
back, minus the broken cable which easily replaced, and i'll get a complete
refund, including both shippings. I thought that was kind of neat of them. And
yet, I'm disappointed..I really wanted to keep it..didn't realize it would be
such a hassle, and on a new computer no less. Thanks again for your input, and
makes one's hope justified in the help of some people in this group...if only
tech support of these companys were as well intent. Say tuned for my next
'adventure'..LOL
Click to expand...

Wishy,

Glad to here TigerDirect did the right thing.

I've been using a combination of boot-manager/drive-trays successfully
for a VERY long time now and never looked back. I used to use my Trios
to switch between CDRom/CDWriter back in the days when it was considered
unwise to use the writer for anything other than writing!

You only need the boot manager (I use SysremCommander, but there are
many others... including the freeware XOsL) if you intend to run mult-
iple OS's from the SAME disk... otherwise just get yourself a decent
drive-tray (recommend an all metal one with a ball-bearing fan) and
simply swap drives when needed (AFTER powering off of course).

HTH,

Charlie LegMan (remove 999 for eMail)
 
Back
Top