Can't boot up Windows XP Pro. SP2 with ASUS K8V SE Deluxe's enabled onboard Promise Controller

[ANTant]

Hello.

I am having a problem with a new ASUS K8V SE Deluxe (revision 2;
BIOS dated 6/17/2005; cannot figure out where the BIOS version is)
with its enabled onboard Promise Controller in CMOS. It will detect
my third Seagate 120 GB HDD just fine, but Windows XP Pro. SP2 (all
updates) would not boot. This happened the last three days.
Eventually, I get Windows to boot up with the third HDD back but it
takes a while. I fiddled around to see what was causing it. The
first two days was something like this:

1. Boot up computer after a long day of downtime (almost 12 hours -- I
turn off my computer when I go out for a long time like work).
2. XP doesn't boot up.
3. Reboot and go back to CMOS.
4. Disable Onboard Promise Controller and enable Marvell onboard network
(I use my reliable 3COM NIC).
5. Save and boot to Windows like normal.
6. Shutdown Windows and computer normally.
7. Wait like 10 seconds. Did not turn off the PSU like first time.
8. Boot the computer back up and enter CMOS.
9. Re-enable the Onboard Promise Controller, save, and reboot.
10. XP should boot up.

I didn't have this problem if I reboot a lot after getting the third
HDD to work. It seems to happen after a long downtime. I don't know
how long the downtime has to be to reproduce this. Definitely almost
12 hours so far.

After almost 12 hours of downtime today when I went to work, Windows
actually booted up fine until I felt pauses on and off in Windows.
Even mouse cursor frozed/paused. I pinged my Windows machine from a
Linux box, and the pings either came back very late or timed out
(packet loss). I checked XP's Event Logs viewer and saw this under
System tab:

16 UlSata errors within 7 minutes and 17 seconds. Example:

Event Type: Error
Event Source: UlSata
Event Category: None
Event ID: 9
Date: 12/21/2005
Time: 8:42:24 PM
User: N/A
Computer: FooBar
Description:
The device, \Device\Scsi\UlSata1, did not respond within the timeout
period.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Data:
0000: 0f 00 10 00 01 00 66 00 ......f.
0008: 00 00 00 00 09 00 04 c0 .......?
0010: 01 01 00 50 00 00 00 00 ...P....
0018: 02 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ........
0020: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ........
0028: 00 00 00 00 04 00 00 00 ........
0030: 00 00 00 00 07 00 00 00 ........


I am not sure if those are related. I think they are. Any ideas?
Someone sugested a bad cable? Is that possible? I just find it weird
that it only happens during after a long downtime. My system
specifications can be found below. Thank you in advance.


Primary Computer (Multimedia, Gaming, & Workstation Box): AMD Athlon
64 3200+ 2.2GHz 512KB Socket 754 CPU (using a Thermaltake A1838
(Silent Boost K8), ATX Full Tower Case (from 1998), ASUS K8V SE
Deluxe (VIA K8T800 Socket 754 ATX; VIA VT8237 South Bridge; revision
2; onboard sound disabled; onboard NIC not used/connected (using
3COM NIC for network), 500 watts Seasonic S12 PSU, 2 GB of RAM total
(2 512 MBs of PC3200 Kingston RAM (CAS 3) + 1 GB (PC3200; CL3)), XFX
NVIDIA GeForce 6800 (128 MB; AGP), Broadband Technologies
Air2PC-ATSC-PCI HDTV card (r0.2; DVB), Asus TV Tuner Card880 NTSC
(cx23880), Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS, Toshiba DVD-ROM
SD-M1612 16X/48X ATAPI/IDE drive, Plextor PX-W1210 PlexWriter
(12/10/32A; IDE), Quantum Fireball Plus LM 15 GB 7200 RPM EIDE HDD,
IBM Deskstar 60GXP 40 GB ATA/100 Hard Drive (7200 RPM;
IC35L040AVER07-0), Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 Plus ST3120026A 120 GB
(8 MB cache; 7200 RPM) HDD, an external Seagate 250 GB HDD (7200
RPM) in a Kingwin HDD Enclosure via USB (connected when needed),
3Com Fast EtherLink XL 10/100 Mb TX Ethernet NIC (3C905 B-TX), 3.5"
TEAC disk drive, Windows XP Professional SP2 (all updates), two 80
mm case fans, a 3 fan HDD Peeze cooler, Microsoft Sidewinder
Joystick (USB), Hewlett Packard Photosmart 8450 printer (USB),
external USR 33600 Sportster Faxmodem (Model: 0413; Product Code:
000839-03; used when needed), Hawking Technology's Hi-Gain USB
Wireless-G Adapter (Model: HWU54D; original version; used when
needed), and Klipsch ProMedia v.2-400 (4.1 setup). Using DirectX
v9.0c.

Nothing is overclocked. Computer is connected to a 8-ports Netgear
DS108 Hub 10/100 base for LAN and Netgear RT311 Router connected to
a Terayon TJ715x cable modem for Adelphia's High Speed Internet).
Also, a Linksys Instant Wireless Network Access Point (802.11b; 2.4
Ghz; 11Mbs; v2.6; WAP11) for wireless.
--
"None preaches better than the ant, and she says nothing." --Ben Franklin
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Phillip (Ant) @ http://antfarm.ma.cx (Personal Web Site)
| |o o| | Ant's Quality Foraged Links (AQFL): http://aqfl.net
\ _ / Please remove ANT if replying by e-mail.
( )

 

[Rod Speed]

I am having a problem with a new ASUS K8V SE Deluxe (revision 2;
BIOS dated 6/17/2005; cannot figure out where the BIOS version is)

Everest will display it.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4181

with its enabled onboard Promise Controller in CMOS. It will detect
my third Seagate 120 GB HDD just fine, but Windows XP Pro. SP2
(all updates) would not boot. This happened the last three days.
Eventually, I get Windows to boot up with the third HDD back but
it takes a while. I fiddled around to see what was causing it. The
first two days was something like this:

1. Boot up computer after a long day of downtime (almost 12 hours
-- I turn off my computer when I go out for a long time like work).
2. XP doesn't boot up.
3. Reboot and go back to CMOS.
4. Disable Onboard Promise Controller and enable Marvell onboard
network (I use my reliable 3COM NIC).
5. Save and boot to Windows like normal.
6. Shutdown Windows and computer normally.
7. Wait like 10 seconds. Did not turn off the PSU like first time.
8. Boot the computer back up and enter CMOS.
9. Re-enable the Onboard Promise Controller, save, and reboot.
10. XP should boot up.

I didn't have this problem if I reboot a lot after getting the third
HDD to work. It seems to happen after a long downtime. I don't know
how long the downtime has to be to reproduce this. Definitely almost
12 hours so far.

After almost 12 hours of downtime today when I went to work, Windows
actually booted up fine until I felt pauses on and off in Windows.
Even mouse cursor frozed/paused. I pinged my Windows machine from a
Linux box, and the pings either came back very late or timed out
(packet loss). I checked XP's Event Logs viewer and saw this under
System tab:

16 UlSata errors within 7 minutes and 17 seconds. Example:

Event Type: Error
Event Source: UlSata
Event Category: None
Event ID: 9
Date: 12/21/2005
Time: 8:42:24 PM
User: N/A
Computer: FooBar
Description:
The device, \Device\Scsi\UlSata1, did not respond within the timeout
period.

There's clearly problems with the sata drive subsystem,
either the drive, the cable or controller on the motherboard.

Try running the hard drive manufacturer's diagnostic on the drive.
And do that when its showing the fault. It wouldnt be surprising if
it claims the drive is fine when its working fine in Win.

See what the Everest SMART data for the drive is like, post it in here.

For more information, see Help and Support Center at
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp.
Data:
0000: 0f 00 10 00 01 00 66 00 ......f.
0008: 00 00 00 00 09 00 04 c0 .......?
0010: 01 01 00 50 00 00 00 00 ...P....
0018: 02 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ........
0020: 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 ........
0028: 00 00 00 00 04 00 00 00 ........
0030: 00 00 00 00 07 00 00 00 ........

I am not sure if those are related. I think they are. Any ideas?

Very likely.

Someone sugested a bad cable? Is that possible?

Its always possible with any cable.

I just find it weird that it only happens during after a long downtime.

No its not, it just cools down during that time. That means its most
likely a dry solder joint or a cracked trace or even a failing transistor.

My system specifications can be found below. Thank you in advance.

 

[stanguru]

i just had a boot issue with an ASUS SLI board, in which the guy had a
brand new Seagate 160g and his old WD 40gig...removed the 40gig and it
booted fine

it would boot to the XP setup and start to load, then it would lock on
like the last step of "entering setup"

it did the same thing when each harddrive was on separate
controllers...even updated BIOS and checked jumpers and such...the guy
did mention to me later that the chipset might have a bug

anyway just thought since it looks like you have an old drive in
there...try removing it

 

[ANTant]

i just had a boot issue with an ASUS SLI board, in which the guy had a
brand new Seagate 160g and his old WD 40gig...removed the 40gig and it
booted fine

it would boot to the XP setup and start to load, then it would lock on
like the last step of "entering setup"

it did the same thing when each harddrive was on separate
controllers...even updated BIOS and checked jumpers and such...the guy
did mention to me later that the chipset might have a bug

anyway just thought since it looks like you have an old drive in
there...try removing it

Heh, if I remove the older drives, then definitely Windows won't boot up
because it requires them to load stuff. The Seagate drive is mainly
video programs, games, etc.
--
"None preaches better than the ant, and she says nothing." --Ben Franklin
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Phillip (Ant) @ http://antfarm.ma.cx (Personal Web Site)
| |o o| | Ant's Quality Foraged Links (AQFL): http://aqfl.net
\ _ / Please remove ANT if replying by e-mail.
( )

 

[ANTant]

(e-mail address removed) wrote:

Everest will display it.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4181

Thanks, but I don't see it. My friend showed me where it was. 1007. Weird
how I missed that one. Too much information at BIOS screen!!

There's clearly problems with the sata drive subsystem,
either the drive, the cable or controller on the motherboard.

Try running the hard drive manufacturer's diagnostic on the drive.
And do that when its showing the fault. It wouldnt be surprising if
it claims the drive is fine when its working fine in Win.

See what the Everest SMART data for the drive is like, post it in here.

Can't seem to get SMART information from it. However, I got it to work...
Read below...

Very likely.

Its always possible with any cable.

Checked. Even tried SATA cable over IDE ribbon cable. No help.

No its not, it just cools down during that time. That means its most
likely a dry solder joint or a cracked trace or even a failing transistor.

My friend was able to reproduce it when the computer was up for hours.


Well, it seems like the problem still occurred even with a ribbon
change. Even with a SATA type. It was a hit and miss type. Happens
a lot after downtimes. My computer builder friend tried making the
Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 Plus ST3120026A 120 GB (8 MB cache; 7200
RPM) HDD connect via VIA SATA Controller. The onboard Promise
controller just won't boot up Windows XP 100% for some reason.

So far, no problems with this method. We'll see what happens when I
boot up after downtimes during my work hours.

--
"An ant is a wise creature for itself, but it is a shrewd thing in an orchard or garden." --Francis Bacon
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Phillip (Ant) @ http://antfarm.ma.cx (Personal Web Site)
| |o o| | Ant's Quality Foraged Links (AQFL): http://aqfl.net
\ _ / Please remove ANT if replying by e-mail.
( )

 

[ANTant]

Thanks, but I don't see it. My friend showed me where it was. 1007. Weird
how I missed that one. Too much information at BIOS screen!!

Can't seem to get SMART information from it. However, I got it to work...

Oops, I did it on the wrong drive (was doing it on USB external HDD in
an enclosure). Here's the result from Everest:

Device Description
ST3120026A (3JT12080)

ID Attribute Description Threshold Value Worst Data Status
01 Raw Read Error Rate 0 61 56 23018640 OK: Always passing
03 Spin Up Time 0 97 96 0 OK: Always passing
04 Start/Stop Count 0 100 100 29 OK: Always passing
05 Reallocated Sector Count 0 100 100 0 OK: Always passing
07 Seek Error Rate 0 89 60 857251545 OK: Always passing
09 Power-On Time Count 0 85 85 13171 OK: Always passing
0A Spin Retry Count 0 100 100 0 OK: Always passing
0C Power Cycle Count 0 100 100 756 OK: Always passing
C2 Temperature 0 45 55 45 OK: Always passing
C3 Hardware ECC Recovered 0 61 55 23018640 OK: Always passing
C5 Current Pending Sector Count 0 100 100 0 OK: Always passing
C6 Off-Line Uncorrectable Sector Count 0 100 100 0 OK: Always passing
C7 Ultra ATA CRC Error Rate 0 200 200 0 OK: Always passing
C8 Write Error Rate 0 100 253 0 OK: Always passing

Read below...

Checked. Even tried SATA cable over IDE ribbon cable. No help.

My friend was able to reproduce it when the computer was up for hours.

Well, it seems like the problem still occurred even with a ribbon
change. Even with a SATA type. It was a hit and miss type. Happens
a lot after downtimes. My computer builder friend tried making the
Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 Plus ST3120026A 120 GB (8 MB cache; 7200
RPM) HDD connect via VIA SATA Controller. The onboard Promise
controller just won't boot up Windows XP 100% for some reason.

So far, no problems with this method. We'll see what happens when I
boot up after downtimes during my work hours.

--
"An ant is a wise creature for itself, but it is a shrewd thing in an orchard or garden." --Francis Bacon
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Phillip (Ant) @ http://antfarm.ma.cx (Personal Web Site)
| |o o| | Ant's Quality Foraged Links (AQFL): http://aqfl.net
\ _ / Please remove ANT if replying by e-mail.
( )

 

[Rod Speed]

(e-mail address removed) wrote

(e-mail address removed) wrote

It should be visible in the motherboard/bios section.
Havent checked how well Everest always finds it tho.

Yeah, can be a problem. Likely the problem with Everest too.

Oops, I did it on the wrong drive (was doing it on USB external
HDD in an enclosure). Here's the result from Everest:

Device Description
ST3120026A (3JT12080)

ID Attribute Description Threshold Value Worst Data Status
01 Raw Read Error Rate 0 61 56 23018640 OK: Always passing
03 Spin Up Time 0 97 96 0 OK: Always passing
04 Start/Stop Count 0 100 100 29 OK: Always passing
05 Reallocated Sector Count 0 100 100 0 OK: Always passing
07 Seek Error Rate 0 89 60 857251545 OK: Always passing

Thats very high and may well indicate that the drive is having problems.

Try Seagate's diagnostic on the drive.

09 Power-On Time Count 0 85 85 13171 OK: Always passing
0A Spin Retry Count 0 100 100 0 OK: Always passing
0C Power Cycle Count 0 100 100 756 OK: Always passing
C2 Temperature 0 45 55 45 OK: Always passing
C3 Hardware ECC Recovered 0 61 55 23018640 OK: Always passing
C5 Current Pending Sector Count 0 100 100 0 OK: Always passing
C6 Off-Line Uncorrectable Sector Count 0 100 100 0 OK: Always passing
C7 Ultra ATA CRC Error Rate 0 200 200 0 OK: Always passing
C8 Write Error Rate 0 100 253 0 OK: Always passing
CA <vendor-specific> 0 100 253 0 OK: Always passing

You can get that with a dry solder joint or cracked trace too.

 

[ANTant]

(e-mail address removed) wrote

It should be visible in the motherboard/bios section.
Havent checked how well Everest always finds it tho.

Yeah, didn't see it.

Yeah, can be a problem. Likely the problem with Everest too.

Heh.

Thats very high and may well indicate that the drive is having problems.
Hmm.


Try Seagate's diagnostic on the drive.

I did a quick test with the browser plugin. Is that reliable? It
was fine. I didn't do an intensive one since it would take hours.
Is there a boot disk version? I didn't see one.

You can get that with a dry solder joint or cracked trace too.

Hmm. Maybe that onboard contoller is defect. Funny, I had to RMA earlier
becaues the motherboard wouldn't boot up. I just got this one back (different
serial number).


Let's see what happens tonight after powering on the system from 12+ hours
of downtime.
--
"An ant is a wise creature for itself, but it is a shrewd thing in an orchard or garden." --Francis Bacon
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Phillip (Ant) @ http://antfarm.ma.cx (Personal Web Site)
| |o o| | Ant's Quality Foraged Links (AQFL): http://aqfl.net
\ _ / Please remove ANT if replying by e-mail.
( )

 

[Rod Speed]

(e-mail address removed) wrote

Yeah, didn't see it.

Heh.

I did a quick test with the browser plugin. Is that reliable?

I normally use the standalone version.

It was fine. I didn't do an intensive one since it would take hours.
Is there a boot disk version? I didn't see one.

http://www.seagate.com/support/seatools/
That calls it the desktop edition.

Anyone ever suggested that you might need new glasses,
or glasses if you dont wear any currently |-)

Hmm. Maybe that onboard contoller is defect. Funny,
I had to RMA earlier becaues the motherboard wouldn't
boot up. I just got this one back (different serial number).

That's a real worry.

Let's see what happens tonight after powering on the system from 12+
hours of downtime.

OK.

 

[ANTant]

I am having a problem with a new ASUS K8V SE Deluxe (revision 2;
Just for kicks, didn't want to do a long Seagate diagnostic test yet, I ran HD
Tune v2.51's error scan (not quick) on this drive. No errors.

I normally use the standalone version.

http://www.seagate.com/support/seatools/
That calls it the desktop edition.

Anyone ever suggested that you might need new glasses,
or glasses if you dont wear any currently |-)

I'm getting old. Almost 30. LOL!

That's a real worry.

I just noticed using this VIA SATA controller doesn't show my HDD light for
Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 Plus ST3120026A 120 GB (8 MB cache; 7200 RPM) HDD.
ARGH! Connectors looked OK. Am I missing something? Light isn't a high
priority, but it would be nice. I see this problem with bootable CD (Ghost
2003 (DOS -- not Windows)'s image test on this drive) and in Windows.
Others drive do light up the drives, but they are not on VIA SATA
controller.

OK.

No more of those annoying hangs/pauses with VIA SATA controller. Now, got
other issues like missing HDD light. Augh! Problems never seem to go
away for me!
--
"An ant is a wise creature for itself, but it is a shrewd thing in an orchard or garden." --Francis Bacon
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Phillip (Ant) @ http://antfarm.ma.cx (Personal Web Site)
| |o o| | Ant's Quality Foraged Links (AQFL): http://aqfl.net
\ _ / Please remove ANT if replying by e-mail.
( )

 

[Rod Speed]

Just for kicks, didn't want to do a long Seagate diagnostic test yet,
I ran HD Tune v2.51's error scan (not quick) on this drive. No errors.

Thats expected, the drive just seeks again when it sees a seek error
and that shouldnt be visible outside the drive except on the time it takes.

I'm getting old. Almost 30. LOL!

The nursing home is just around the corner |-)

I just noticed using this VIA SATA controller doesn't show my HDD
light for Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 Plus ST3120026A 120 GB (8 MB
cache; 7200 RPM) HDD. ARGH! Connectors looked OK. Am I missing
something? Light isn't a high priority, but it would be nice. I see
this problem with bootable CD (Ghost 2003 (DOS -- not Windows)'s
image test on this drive) and in Windows.

Others drive do light up the drives, but they are not on VIA SATA controller.

Likely just a quirk of that design.

No more of those annoying hangs/pauses with VIA SATA controller.
Now, got other issues like missing HDD light. Augh! Problems never
seem to go away for me!

You were warned about that furious grave dancing, you wouldnt listen |-(

 

[ANTant]

I am having a problem with a new ASUS K8V SE Deluxe (revision 2;

Thats expected, the drive just seeks again when it sees a seek error
and that shouldnt be visible outside the drive except on the time it takes.
Oh.

The nursing home is just around the corner |-)

LOL! All these computer problems make me older faster!

Likely just a quirk of that design.

Really? My friend suggested the same too. Is there a way to make this work?
Dang, I wished the onboard Promise controller would work perfectly like
with the last ASUS motherboard. Ugh.

I was told from a coworker, that onboard Promise controllers are not good.
Is this true? Is this why I get problems?

You were warned about that furious grave dancing, you wouldnt listen |-(

Hmmph, prove it!

Guess what? I have more problems. Now, my computer won't boot up.
During chkdsk for bad sectors (found none and no issues) during Windows'
reboot, chkdsk hung at the results part. I waited like 15 minutes here so
I rebooted. BIOS and CMOS couldn't see my old Quantum HDD (where OS is). I
tried turning off the computer including its power supply and turning it
back on. Now, the computer just gives me a high pitch sound. ARGH!!! I am
not having a good luck with computers these days.

I will have to see what the problem(s) now. UGH!! I think NVIDIA card's
power cable/wire is lose. Seen this happened before. [sighs]
--
"An ant is a wise creature for itself, but it is a shrewd thing in an orchard or garden." --Francis Bacon
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Phillip (Ant) @ http://antfarm.ma.cx (Personal Web Site)
| |o o| | Ant's Quality Foraged Links (AQFL): http://aqfl.net
\ _ / Please remove ANT if replying by e-mail.
( )

 

[Rod Speed]

LOL! All these computer problems make me older faster!

Yeah, same problem with loss of hair.

Really? My friend suggested the same too. Is there a way to make
this work? Dang, I wished the onboard Promise controller would
work perfectly like with the last ASUS motherboard. Ugh.

I was told from a coworker, that onboard Promise controllers
are not good. Is this true? Is this why I get problems?

No, that's overstating it.

Hmmph, prove it!

I've got these tapes that someone emailed me.

Guess what? I have more problems. Now, my computer won't boot up.

Thats what you can get with that sort of bad solder joint or cracked trace,
the symptoms can come and go. Same with bad caps on the motherboard too.

During chkdsk for bad sectors (found none and no issues)
during Windows' reboot, chkdsk hung at the results part.
I waited like 15 minutes here so I rebooted. BIOS and CMOS
couldn't see my old Quantum HDD (where OS is). I tried turning
off the computer including its power supply and turning it back
on. Now, the computer just gives me a high pitch sound.

You mean like from the speaker etc or from the hard drive ?

ARGH!!! I am not having a good luck
with computers these days.

Yeah, it can get like that at times.

I will have to see what the problem(s) now. UGH!! I think NVIDIA
card's power cable/wire is lose. Seen this happened before. [sighs]

Yeah, if its from the speaker, its likely just whining about the lack of a video
card.

 

[ANTant]

Yeah, same problem with loss of hair.

I have plenty of hair. In fact, my hair grows too fast an
I have to get a haircut once a month. Oy! I don't mind losing
SOME hair and still looking fine.

No, that's overstating it.
heh.

I've got these tapes that someone emailed me.

Show me!

Thats what you can get with that sort of bad solder joint or cracked trace,
the symptoms can come and go. Same with bad caps on the motherboard too.

[sighs] I *HOPE* I don't have to RMA this damn motherboard again. I had
to wait two weeks and use some crappy ECS motherboard.

You mean like from the speaker etc or from the hard drive ?

SPeaker definitely. It was loud sound. Almost like a fire alarm.

Yeah, it can get like that at times.

It happens to me a lot. I think I have a bad luck with computers.
Although, I tend to break stuff a lot hence why I work in Software Quality
Assurance. LOL! Sheesh.

I will have to see what the problem(s) now. UGH!! I think NVIDIA
card's power cable/wire is lose. Seen this happened before. [sighs]

Yeah, if its from the speaker, its likely just whining about the lack of a video
card.

Yeah. Don't know how in the world that got lose. I didn't move/open/bump
the case! It still doesn't explain why my HDD vanished from BIOS, etc.
Weird, eh?
--
"An ant is a wise creature for itself, but it is a shrewd thing in an orchard or garden." --Francis Bacon
/\___/\
/ /\ /\ \ Phillip (Ant) @ http://antfarm.ma.cx (Personal Web Site)
| |o o| | Ant's Quality Foraged Links (AQFL): http://aqfl.net
\ _ / Please remove ANT if replying by e-mail.
( )