Hello,

I have just installed Vista Ultimate 64 Bit (on my 500 GB Seagate hard disk, the main hard disk).

Then, I added 2 more hard disks (a 1 TB Hitachi and another 500 GB Seagate), so now I have 3 SATA hard disks installed.

However, Vista cannot start. Sometimes, it stuck on the boot screen (the one with the scrolling green bar), sometimes it just show black blank screen.

I then tried to disconnect, completely, the 2 hard disks I just installed. Vista can boot properly, I can access my data from both hard disks without problem.

When only the 1 TB Hitachi and the main hard disk are connected, Vista can boot properly and I can access my data from both hard disks without problem.



When only the other 500 GB Seagate and the main hard disk are connected, Vista can boot properly, I can access my data from both hard disks without problem.

However, if I connect the 3 hard disks at the same time, vista doesn't want to boot. I already installed the SATA controller driver from the CD that comes with the motherboard.

Also, Safe Mode doesn't help.

My system spec:
- Motherboard: Asus Striker Extreme
- Processor: Intel Core2Duo Dual Core 2.4 Ghz
- RAM: 4 GB (4x1 GB) DDR2
- Graphic Card: Nvidia 8800GTS, from ASUS
- 2 DVD Writers (LG and Sony), both IDE
- 1 Floppy Disk Drive

Please help me. I really need to connect them all because they all contain data.

Thanks.

Might be a power issue as 2 drives will boot fine but all 3 don't.
--
David Vair
CNE, CNA, MCP, A+, N+


"SomeoneX" <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote in message
news:68955480997f3be6be9190d8c61244f2@xxxxxx-gateway.com...

>
> Hello,
>
> I have just installed Vista Ultimate 64 Bit (on my 500 GB Seagate hard
> disk, the main hard disk).
>
> Then, I added 2 more hard disks (a 1 TB Hitachi and another 500 GB
> Seagate), so now I have 3 SATA hard disks installed.
>
> However, Vista cannot start. Sometimes, it stuck on the boot screen
> (the one with the scrolling green bar), sometimes it just show black
> blank screen.
>
> I then tried to disconnect, completely, the 2 hard disks I just
> installed. Vista can boot properly, I can access my data from both hard
> disks without problem.
>
> When only the 1 TB Hitachi and the main hard disk are connected, Vista
> can boot properly and I can access my data from both hard disks without
> problem.
>
> When only the other 500 GB Seagate and the main hard disk are
> connected, Vista can boot properly, I can access my data from both hard
> disks without problem.
>
> However, if I connect the 3 hard disks at the same time, vista doesn't
> want to boot. I already installed the SATA controller driver from the CD
> that comes with the motherboard.
>
> Also, Safe Mode doesn't help.
>
> My system spec:
> - Motherboard: Asus Striker Extreme
> - Processor: Intel Core2Duo Dual Core 2.4 Ghz
> - RAM: 4 GB (4x1 GB) DDR2
> - Graphic Card: Nvidia 8800GTS, from ASUS
> - 2 DVD Writers (LG and Sony), both IDE
> - 1 Floppy Disk Drive
>
> Please help me. I really need to connect them all because they all
> contain data.
>
> Thanks.
>
>
> --
> SomeoneX

SomeoneX,
Disk drives take a lot of power just to spin up at boot time and if your
boot disk does not spin up in time the system will not boot.
One way to get around this problem is to have an optical drive selected in
your BIOS as the primary boot device and for it to always have a disk in it.
Then when you boot and are asked to hit any key to continue to boot from the
optical drive just let the prompt time out since that will provide the time
for all of the HDDs to spin up.

"David Vair" <dvair@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:erohRUUFKHA.1336@xxxxxx

> Might be a power issue as 2 drives will boot fine but all 3 don't.
> --
> David Vair
> CNE, CNA, MCP, A+, N+
>
>
> "SomeoneX" <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote in message
> news:68955480997f3be6be9190d8c61244f2@xxxxxx-gateway.com...

>>
>> Hello,
>>
>> I have just installed Vista Ultimate 64 Bit (on my 500 GB Seagate hard
>> disk, the main hard disk).
>>
>> Then, I added 2 more hard disks (a 1 TB Hitachi and another 500 GB
>> Seagate), so now I have 3 SATA hard disks installed.
>>
>> However, Vista cannot start. Sometimes, it stuck on the boot screen
>> (the one with the scrolling green bar), sometimes it just show black
>> blank screen.
>>
>> I then tried to disconnect, completely, the 2 hard disks I just
>> installed. Vista can boot properly, I can access my data from both hard
>> disks without problem.
>>
>> When only the 1 TB Hitachi and the main hard disk are connected, Vista
>> can boot properly and I can access my data from both hard disks without
>> problem.
>>
>> When only the other 500 GB Seagate and the main hard disk are
>> connected, Vista can boot properly, I can access my data from both hard
>> disks without problem.
>>
>> However, if I connect the 3 hard disks at the same time, vista doesn't
>> want to boot. I already installed the SATA controller driver from the CD
>> that comes with the motherboard.
>>
>> Also, Safe Mode doesn't help.
>>
>> My system spec:
>> - Motherboard: Asus Striker Extreme
>> - Processor: Intel Core2Duo Dual Core 2.4 Ghz
>> - RAM: 4 GB (4x1 GB) DDR2
>> - Graphic Card: Nvidia 8800GTS, from ASUS
>> - 2 DVD Writers (LG and Sony), both IDE
>> - 1 Floppy Disk Drive
>>
>> Please help me. I really need to connect them all because they all
>> contain data.
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>>
>> --
>> SomeoneX

>

You definitely need a bigger power supply.
If you bought your machine from a name brand maker, for example Dell or HP,
you have to make sure that the motherboard can accept generic power supplies
without frying itself. I have yet to see a machine from a big box store that
had an adequate power supply in terms of wattage or quality.
Rather than replace the power supply consider putting one of your hard
drives in an external enclosure. That way it will have its own power supply
and you will not have to replace anything inside your computer.

Originally Posted by SomeoneX

Hello,

I have just installed Vista Ultimate 64 Bit (on my 500 GB Seagate hard disk, the main hard disk).

Then, I added 2 more hard disks (a 1 TB Hitachi and another 500 GB Seagate), so now I have 3 SATA hard disks installed.

However, Vista cannot start. Sometimes, it stuck on the boot screen (the one with the scrolling green bar), sometimes it just show black blank screen.

I then tried to disconnect, completely, the 2 hard disks I just installed. Vista can boot properly, I can access my data from both hard disks without problem.

When only the 1 TB Hitachi and the main hard disk are connected, Vista can boot properly and I can access my data from both hard disks without problem.

When only the other 500 GB Seagate and the main hard disk are connected, Vista can boot properly, I can access my data from both hard disks without problem.

However, if I connect the 3 hard disks at the same time, vista doesn't want to boot. I already installed the SATA controller driver from the CD that comes with the motherboard.

Also, Safe Mode doesn't help.

My system spec:
- Motherboard: Asus Striker Extreme
- Processor: Intel Core2Duo Dual Core 2.4 Ghz
- RAM: 4 GB (4x1 GB) DDR2
- Graphic Card: Nvidia 8800GTS, from ASUS
- 2 DVD Writers (LG and Sony), both IDE
- 1 Floppy Disk Drive

Please help me. I really need to connect them all because they all contain data.

Thanks.

SomeoneX

Are all three drives internal, or are 2 usb? did you update your bios, and the relevant drivers?


Ken

I'd go along with the others and say a PSU issue. i have four SATA hard
drives in my PC, along with a BluRay optical drive and a couple of USB SATA
drives, used for weekly backup, and it never fails to boot. On top of that
I have a Canon scanner that is entirely powered from the USB port, two
printers, wireless mouse/keyboard, Hauppauge HDPVR, etc etc. Oh and a smart
card reader. 850w PSU, 8gb RAM, Q9550. On my test PC I have six hard
drives, again all SATA and a couple of optical drives. That one has 12gb
and an i7 920 CPU, Corsair 850w PSU. Again, never fails to boot.

What is the wattage and make of your PSU. You want a decent manufacturer
and a decent wattage. Skimping on either will only lead to tears before
bedtime.
--
Cari (MS-MVP)
Windows Technologies - Printing & Imaging
http://www.coribright.com/windows


"SomeoneX" <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote in message
news:68955480997f3be6be9190d8c61244f2@xxxxxx-gateway.com...

>
> Hello,
>
> I have just installed Vista Ultimate 64 Bit (on my 500 GB Seagate hard
> disk, the main hard disk).
>
> Then, I added 2 more hard disks (a 1 TB Hitachi and another 500 GB
> Seagate), so now I have 3 SATA hard disks installed.
>
> However, Vista cannot start. Sometimes, it stuck on the boot screen
> (the one with the scrolling green bar), sometimes it just show black
> blank screen.
>
> I then tried to disconnect, completely, the 2 hard disks I just
> installed. Vista can boot properly, I can access my data from both hard
> disks without problem.
>
> When only the 1 TB Hitachi and the main hard disk are connected, Vista
> can boot properly and I can access my data from both hard disks without
> problem.
>
> When only the other 500 GB Seagate and the main hard disk are
> connected, Vista can boot properly, I can access my data from both hard
> disks without problem.
>
> However, if I connect the 3 hard disks at the same time, vista doesn't
> want to boot. I already installed the SATA controller driver from the CD
> that comes with the motherboard.
>
> Also, Safe Mode doesn't help.
>
> My system spec:
> - Motherboard: Asus Striker Extreme
> - Processor: Intel Core2Duo Dual Core 2.4 Ghz
> - RAM: 4 GB (4x1 GB) DDR2
> - Graphic Card: Nvidia 8800GTS, from ASUS
> - 2 DVD Writers (LG and Sony), both IDE
> - 1 Floppy Disk Drive
>
> Please help me. I really need to connect them all because they all
> contain data.
>
> Thanks.
>
>
> --
> SomeoneX

I wish to add that I just bought a Corsair PSU (650 Watts)- just to check
if the problem
was with the power supply, the motherboard, and something else.
The flat cables to connect to the HDs, Cds
made it very easy to achieve a clean installation. Five HDs,
2 cd/DVDs. One graphics card.

I kept the PSU and changed the motherboard. Returned to the manufacturer
as it had been bought only a few months earlier.

"Cari (MS-MVP)" <newsgroups@xxxxxx> a écrit dans le message de
news:7drq9oF2bok0pU1@xxxxxx

> I'd go along with the others and say a PSU issue. i have four SATA hard
> drives in my PC, along with a BluRay optical drive and a couple of USB
> SATA drives, used for weekly backup, and it never fails to boot. On top
> of that I have a Canon scanner that is entirely powered from the USB port,
> two printers, wireless mouse/keyboard, Hauppauge HDPVR, etc etc. Oh and a
> smart card reader. 850w PSU, 8gb RAM, Q9550. On my test PC I have six
> hard drives, again all SATA and a couple of optical drives. That one has
> 12gb and an i7 920 CPU, Corsair 850w PSU. Again, never fails to boot.
>
> What is the wattage and make of your PSU. You want a decent manufacturer
> and a decent wattage. Skimping on either will only lead to tears before
> bedtime.
> --
> Cari (MS-MVP)
> Windows Technologies - Printing & Imaging
> http://www.coribright.com/windows
>
>
> "SomeoneX" <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote in message
> news:68955480997f3be6be9190d8c61244f2@xxxxxx-gateway.com...

>>
>> Hello,
>>
>> I have just installed Vista Ultimate 64 Bit (on my 500 GB Seagate hard
>> disk, the main hard disk).
>>
>> Then, I added 2 more hard disks (a 1 TB Hitachi and another 500 GB
>> Seagate), so now I have 3 SATA hard disks installed.
>>
>> However, Vista cannot start. Sometimes, it stuck on the boot screen
>> (the one with the scrolling green bar), sometimes it just show black
>> blank screen.
>>
>> I then tried to disconnect, completely, the 2 hard disks I just
>> installed. Vista can boot properly, I can access my data from both hard
>> disks without problem.
>>
>> When only the 1 TB Hitachi and the main hard disk are connected, Vista
>> can boot properly and I can access my data from both hard disks without
>> problem.
>>
>> When only the other 500 GB Seagate and the main hard disk are
>> connected, Vista can boot properly, I can access my data from both hard
>> disks without problem.
>>
>> However, if I connect the 3 hard disks at the same time, vista doesn't
>> want to boot. I already installed the SATA controller driver from the CD
>> that comes with the motherboard.
>>
>> Also, Safe Mode doesn't help.
>>
>> My system spec:
>> - Motherboard: Asus Striker Extreme
>> - Processor: Intel Core2Duo Dual Core 2.4 Ghz
>> - RAM: 4 GB (4x1 GB) DDR2
>> - Graphic Card: Nvidia 8800GTS, from ASUS
>> - 2 DVD Writers (LG and Sony), both IDE
>> - 1 Floppy Disk Drive
>>
>> Please help me. I really need to connect them all because they all
>> contain data.
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>>
>> --
>> SomeoneX

>

oh, my ... the fever to build a new rig has begun because of Win 7 coming
out soon and as I read your tricked out setups, I felt pangs of jealousy ..
(g) .. you gotta be havin' fun ... vanilla


"Cari (MS-MVP)" <newsgroups@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:7drq9oF2bok0pU1@xxxxxx

> I'd go along with the others and say a PSU issue. i have four SATA hard
> drives in my PC, along with a BluRay optical drive and a couple of USB
> SATA drives, used for weekly backup, and it never fails to boot. On top
> of that I have a Canon scanner that is entirely powered from the USB port,
> two printers, wireless mouse/keyboard, Hauppauge HDPVR, etc etc. Oh and a
> smart card reader. 850w PSU, 8gb RAM, Q9550. On my test PC I have six
> hard drives, again all SATA and a couple of optical drives. That one has
> 12gb and an i7 920 CPU, Corsair 850w PSU. Again, never fails to boot.
>
> What is the wattage and make of your PSU. You want a decent manufacturer
> and a decent wattage. Skimping on either will only lead to tears before
> bedtime.
> --
> Cari (MS-MVP)
> Windows Technologies - Printing & Imaging
> http://www.coribright.com/windows
>
>
> "SomeoneX" <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote in message
> news:68955480997f3be6be9190d8c61244f2@xxxxxx-gateway.com...

>>
>> Hello,
>>
>> I have just installed Vista Ultimate 64 Bit (on my 500 GB Seagate hard
>> disk, the main hard disk).
>>
>> Then, I added 2 more hard disks (a 1 TB Hitachi and another 500 GB
>> Seagate), so now I have 3 SATA hard disks installed.
>>
>> However, Vista cannot start. Sometimes, it stuck on the boot screen
>> (the one with the scrolling green bar), sometimes it just show black
>> blank screen.
>>
>> I then tried to disconnect, completely, the 2 hard disks I just
>> installed. Vista can boot properly, I can access my data from both hard
>> disks without problem.
>>
>> When only the 1 TB Hitachi and the main hard disk are connected, Vista
>> can boot properly and I can access my data from both hard disks without
>> problem.
>>
>> When only the other 500 GB Seagate and the main hard disk are
>> connected, Vista can boot properly, I can access my data from both hard
>> disks without problem.
>>
>> However, if I connect the 3 hard disks at the same time, vista doesn't
>> want to boot. I already installed the SATA controller driver from the CD
>> that comes with the motherboard.
>>
>> Also, Safe Mode doesn't help.
>>
>> My system spec:
>> - Motherboard: Asus Striker Extreme
>> - Processor: Intel Core2Duo Dual Core 2.4 Ghz
>> - RAM: 4 GB (4x1 GB) DDR2
>> - Graphic Card: Nvidia 8800GTS, from ASUS
>> - 2 DVD Writers (LG and Sony), both IDE
>> - 1 Floppy Disk Drive
>>
>> Please help me. I really need to connect them all because they all
>> contain data.
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>>
>> --
>> SomeoneX

>

Ok, I will try to see if my PSU is the problem.

I'll let you know if this solved the problem.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by SomeoneX

Thanks for the replies guys!

Ok, first of all, I don't really think that psu, cables, or anything related to power is the issue here.

I tried connecting all 3 hard disks and boot up a XP SP2 Live CD (32-bit) and it works perfectly. I can access my data from all 3 hard disks. I also tried PCLinuxOS Live CD and it works perfectly.

I really think that this is a problem with my Vista.... Is this because I'm using the 64-bit version and not the 32-bit version? (I need the 64-bit version because I have 4 GB of RAM).

PS: I did, once, sucessfully enter safe mode with all 3 hard disks connected. However, after the desktop showed up, I opened "Computer", the computer became unresponsive.

@vanilla: lol, this is a 1 year-old PC. Btw, I wish I had a quad-core...

Thanks.

Originally Posted by vanilla

oh, my ... the fever to build a new rig has begun because of Win 7 coming
out soon and as I read your tricked out setups, I felt pangs of jealousy ..
(g) .. you gotta be havin' fun ... vanilla


"Cari (MS-MVP)" <newsgroups@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:7drq9oF2bok0pU1@xxxxxx

> I'd go along with the others and say a PSU issue. i have four SATA hard
> drives in my PC, along with a BluRay optical drive and a couple of USB
> SATA drives, used for weekly backup, and it never fails to boot. On top
> of that I have a Canon scanner that is entirely powered from the USB port,
> two printers, wireless mouse/keyboard, Hauppauge HDPVR, etc etc. Oh and a
> smart card reader. 850w PSU, 8gb RAM, Q9550. On my test PC I have six
> hard drives, again all SATA and a couple of optical drives. That one has
> 12gb and an i7 920 CPU, Corsair 850w PSU. Again, never fails to boot.
>
> What is the wattage and make of your PSU. You want a decent manufacturer
> and a decent wattage. Skimping on either will only lead to tears before
> bedtime.
> --
> Cari (MS-MVP)
> Windows Technologies - Printing & Imaging
> Welcome
>
>
> "SomeoneX" <guest@xxxxxx-email.com> wrote in message
> news:68955480997f3be6be9190d8c61244f2@xxxxxx-gateway.com...
>