Bios settings for achi mode

[toostrike]

I have 2 WD BLK 750g drives that I'm using for testing purposes.I run "XP 32-bit" and "7-64 bit" on 2 different drives.This keeps both operating systems separate.It's much less of  hassle than dual booting.I can go in the bios,and boot from either drive.

I want to be in achi mode for both xp and 7.

Using (2)WD BLK 750HDD,970A-UD3,8gigs ram,560ti,955BE@3.8.........Adding 128G SSD Boot drive soon.

Problems installing xp in achi mode:

I slip-streamed the achi/raid drivers to a custom disk.Rebooted pc,and went into bios and set achi mode,saved and re- booted,installed xp,added all my drivers,reboot and all is good.

Here's the problem.I added another 750g drive into the mix,after everything was running smooth..I am able to see the drive in windows and write to the drive,but it bios it does not show up.My main drive,according to bios info, indicates one drive,not 2.Hirens boot gives me the same bad news.In the device manager,in XP the achi/raid drivers are listed as my current drivers,so its running in achi mode.

I switched back to native ide mode and all works good like before,but this time my bios indicates 2 drives.I am adding a ssd drive as a main boot,so I can run windows xp,7,and games on the ssd,but my additional drive is not recognized in achi mode.


I solved some problems by making changes in the bios during set-up:


1.To start,I performed a low level format on partitioned drive.

2.Rebooted into bios,and set sata controller to enabled,also native ide enabled,Save and reboot.

3.Install Windows.I used an custom image file.All achi drivers and component drivers installed.After os is installed,reboot into bios.

4.Change to achi mode,used expanded options,and changed to "sata type".Rebooted into windows.


The main difference is having ide mode enabled in the bios while installing the os,then after os installed,change bios back to achi mode,before your first boot into windows.Now I can go into computer management and see that both of my HDD's are recognized,under achi mode in xp.The problem is if I reboot into the bios it does not list any of my drives.I have 2 HDD,and 2 sata DVD's.I have both HDD drives connected to sata port "0" and sata port "1". DVD's port 4 and 5

If I change from "sata type" to "IDE" mode in the bios,and keep achi mode enabled,I can see both dvd drives on ports 4 and 5 in the bios after reboot,but no hard drives are listed.I cant figure out why my hard drives are not listed at all in bios.Pc runs fine though,and both windows versions can see all my drives in achi mode-wtf!

[toostrike]

The manual for the 970A-UD3 is nice.It covers all your basic stuff,and a little in depth,but not enough.That's were the bios gets confusing because the more devices we add on your systems,could mean configuring bios settings.

Where is the extended,in depth,get your ass out of trouble,manual

I might not even have a problem because i had a chance to look at my configuration.I have (2)750g drives under achi mode in xp.When I enter the bios,and go under "basic c-mos settings,"it shows sata ports "0" - "4" and next to each port it reads "No IDE devices connected".If I go into the bios,were you have the option to change the boot order, of devices,I can see both of my sata drives in the bios,listed as Sata.This makes sense because I am not in IDE mode.

Because I have achi mode enabled in the bios,and "sata type" checked vs IDE,is the reason the basic c-mos settings do not list anything at all for drives,including my (2) dvd burners on ports 4 & 5.This makes sense also because my dvd's are sata drives.I have not checked yet,but I'm sure they are listed in the boot order options in the bios.

I just need conformation that my settings are correct.They seem to be on target...............It needs be for the ssd.

I have a 955 BE C3 stepping, OC at 3.8g. running at 22C idle 45C load with a Hyper 212 plus for the last 18 months,in 2 different gigabyte boards.I love this board for overclocking.I plan on building around a Intel Core i5 2500K after Intel releases there new line,and use this board as my back-up pc.I saw the 2500K at Micro Center for 179.00 USD.

[autotech]

ur pretty much right mine is the same way on my sata dvd drive and my SSD.   I dont use ide mode and just achi and sata. 

[toostrike]

Good to Know - 75% of bios settings on gigabyte boards,are easy to understand.The other 25% is were i'm usually at System is running fine.I bought this right before Christmas of 2011.It came with the F4 bios,very stable.No need at this point to flash bios for my purpose,Most updates concern FX chips.

[autotech]

Google is your friend with bios settings you dont know about just google the setting you need to know about and you will usually get many results.  Or just post here what ones you are worried about and you will get an answer.