M748LMRT won't recognise hard drive

[Jason]

Hi all,

Is anyone out there familiar with the M748LMRT integrated motherboard?

I'm trying to resurrect an old system based on the M748LMRT, so that a
friend can use it.

The problem is that the BIOS fails to recognise the new Seagate 40GB hard
drive.

I suspect the hard drive is unrecognised because it's too large for the old
BIOS. Can anyone confirm that? Or should I consider the hard drive faulty?

I have the board's manual, but it doesn't specify a maximum hard drive size.
This board previously worked with a 20GB hard drive. There is currently no
other hard drive on the system. And the BIOS was previously upgraded to
accept a Pentium III chip.

Any help or advice would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Jason

 

[Rod Speed]

Is anyone out there familiar with the M748LMRT integrated motherboard?

Dont need to be.

I'm trying to resurrect an old system based
on the M748LMRT, so that a friend can use it.

The problem is that the BIOS fails to recognise
the new Seagate 40GB hard drive.

I suspect the hard drive is unrecognised
because it's too large for the old BIOS.

Quite likely if the system LOCKS UP at boot time.

The lockup is very characteristic of the award bios problem
with drives over 32GB and is readily fixable in a couple of ways.

Can anyone confirm that? Or should I consider the hard drive faulty?

The obvious test for a faulty hard drive is to try it in your system.

I have the board's manual, but it doesn't specify a maximum hard drive size.

Yeah, few did in that era. The 32GB limit fanged the manufacturers on the bum.

This board previously worked with a 20GB hard drive.
There is currently no other hard drive on the system. And the
BIOS was previously upgraded to accept a Pentium III chip.

The release notes for the bios often do say if the 32GB limit is fixed.

If the system does LOCK UP at boot time, try setting the
jumper on the drive that limits the capacity to 32GB. You can
choose to just accept that smaller size with a 40GB drive.

If it doesnt lock up at boot time, check you have it
jumpered correctly and try it in your own system if it is.

 

[Jason]

Quite likely if the system LOCKS UP at boot time.

I haven't even got that far!

The obvious test for a faulty hard drive is to try it in your system.

Point taken... I was trying to avoid messing with my own system, but it
looks like I'll have to bite the bullet.

The release notes for the bios often do say if the 32GB limit is fixed.

Good idea, I'll check that.

If the system does LOCK UP at boot time, try setting the
jumper on the drive that limits the capacity to 32GB. You can
choose to just accept that smaller size with a 40GB drive.

If it doesnt lock up at boot time, check you have it
jumpered correctly and try it in your own system if it is.

Excellent suggestions. Thanks, Rod!

- Jason

 

[Jason]

... try setting the
jumper on the drive that limits the capacity to 32GB. You can
choose to just accept that smaller size with a 40GB drive.

That worked. Problem solved. Thanks, Rod.

- Jason