Gigabyte GA-H67A-UD3H (Rev 1.0). "No Device Detected" for SATA2 ports

[shbuehler]

The motherboard has two SATA3 ports (white) and four SATA2 ports (blue).  I recently went from two to three SATA devices so needed to start using the SATA2 ports.  Unfortunately I get the "No Device Detected" message in all four SATA2 ports, even though those same devices work in the SATA3 ports flawlessly (Running in AHCI mode).  During Boot-up the system does stall a bit when checking the SATA2 port in which I have the device plugged into, but after a few seconds just moves on after posting the "No Device Detected" message.

Motherboard BIOS version is F9 (latest)
SATA AHCI BIOS is Version iSrc 1.20E.

Any help would be appreciated.  This is consumming my life!

Thanks...

[MarkJohnson]

When you boot into windows, what does it report?  heck device manager and storage manager.  especially storage manager.

Luck
-=Mark=-
do other drives work in sata 2 ports?  Unplug any other device/peraphial and retest.

[shbuehler]

Thanks Mark.

Neither the Device Manager nor the Storage Manager (Disk Management) show any drives I plug into the SATA2 ports (HDD or CDROM).  Those same devices will show and function perfectly if they are plugged into the SATA3 ports.

As an example, with a 250GB HDD in SATA3_0, DVD/CD writer in SATA3_1, and 1TB HDD in SATA2_4, the title above the port designations during AHCI boot up shows "03 Devices". The boot-up will hang for a few seconds as it tries to detect the device in SATA2_4, but then simply moves on and will post "Port-04: No device detected".

With a 250GB HDD in SATA3_0, DVD/CD writer in SATA3_1 and no other SATA devices connected, the title above the port designations during AHCI boot-up shows "02 Devices".

This tells me the system knows the third device exists, but simply will not accept it for some reason, even though all three devices will work in any of the SATA3 ports.

There are different code numbers in the upper write corner of the AHCI boot-up screen. "18" when a device is in a SATA2 port, and "16" with no device is in a SATA2 port. That could be a clue as well I assume.

I hope that helps!

Thanks!
Steve

[MarkJohnson]

Is this a new mother board?  Has this been worked and suddenly stopped? Did you update BIOS?

Try unplugging from wall, set the clear cmos jumper on the motherboard and pull the battery and short the contacts on the motherboard where the battery rests.  Then reverse the process and cross your fingers. 

maybe try to load system defaults on the motherboard first maybe. 

sounds like maybe the ahci system is locked up?  Maybe it has failed completely?

-=Mark=-

[shbuehler]

Is this a new mother board?  I bought the motherboard new in January 2011.  I had never used the SATA2 ports until recently since I only had two SATA devices, thus used the two SATA3 ports for those.

Has this been worked and suddenly stopped?  Since I have never used the SATA2 ports I don't know if they were ever previously working.

Did you update BIOS?  Yes, I updated to the latest BIOS version (F9), which had no effect on my issue.

I will try your suggestions with a CMOS clear tonight when I get home from work, and report back with my results.

Thanks again!
Steve

[shbuehler]

Unfortunately the CMOS reset didn't work.  I shorted out the CMOS clear pins and battery terminals.  I also kept the battery out for a good hour, but no go.  I am beginning to think it is a broken motherboard :/

I bought my motherboard January 20th, 2011, and on January 31st 2011 Intel recalled the chipset I have on the board (Intel H67).

http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=2589

The failing chipsets effect the SATA2 ports, but not SATA3.

Not sure if I can prove it but I honestly am completely stuck it would seem...Nice.

Steve

[MarkJohnson]

I completely forgot about that.  Check the NB revision with cpu-z and call gigabyte/intel about an rma.  I think gigabyte has a 3-year warranty.  It just may take a few weeks without a board.

Luck
-=Mark=-

[shbuehler]

Thanks for the tip on CPU-Z.  It confirms I do in fact have the dreaded Intel H67, Rev B2 chipset.

I am contacting Tiger Direct to ask why the heck they didn't notify me of the recalled board when the recall occured less than two weeks after I bought my motherboard from them (Newegg notified their customers)!!!

I did check Gigabyte's warranty and it is for 3 years.  With that said there is no way I am going to be without my PC for a month.  I will likely just get a PCIe to SATA converter card.  Maybe I can get Tiger Direct to give me one.....who knows.  If they don't I will be taking my future business to Newegg.

Steve

[MarkJohnson]

Check with Gigabyte and see if they'll cross-shipping so they will send you a board first then you ship back your board within 30-days or they charge you.  You will need a credit card for this option.  I have used it before with success from Gigabyte a couple of years ago.

Luck
-=Mark=-

[shbuehler]

Great thought Mark.  I will give that a try.

FYI, I did start a conversation with Gigabyte via their email support system and surprisingly they did not bring up the bad Intel chipset issue.  I will be bringing it up with them however!

Thanks,
Steve

[shbuehler]

FYI...Gigabyte authorized an advanced replacement for my motherboard.  In other words, they will be sending me a new motherboard and I need to send back the defective one within 14 days.  Hopefully it arrives by the end of the week.

I will update my progress when all is good just for future reference for others.

Thanks,
Steve

[MarkJohnson]

Sweet, it's good to know they still offer cross-shipping.  It is a deal breaker for me.  I can't go without a system for weeks while a faulty systems gets fixed by snail mail.

Luck
-=Mark=-

[shbuehler]

No doubt Mark.  If this works out my next motherboard will be a Gigabyte.  A three year warranty and no hassle return is hard to beat.  I think when they understood my Intel chipset on my board was recalled it was an easy decision to honor the advanced shipping method.  Tiger Direct however has lost my business for a while.  As I stated earlier, Newegg contacted all their customers that had bought the defective boards from them, while Tiger Direct decieded to ignore it.  That says a lot in my book.

Steve

[shbuehler]

Mark,

Well my new motherboard arrived today.  I just finished rebuilding my PC and the SATA2 ports are fully functional!

With that said, they sent me the exact same revision of my original motherboard, built in the exact same week.  In other words, I still have a motherboard with a recalled Intel chipset!  You would think they would have sent me a motherboard of a later revision with the chipset issue resolved, especially since I pointed out the fact that the chipset had been recalled and I suspected that was the issue!  I almost called and said I wanted a later revision board, but decided against it.  If this one dies (and it very well may) I will buy a stinking PCI Express card with SATA ports or a new motherboard all together.  I just am tired of fooling around with this thing.

Loading Windows 8 now, and hoping for a brighter future

Thanks for all the help and see you around!

Steve