So I finally get my system all put together...install 32-bit vista and start to install the drivers. (at this point vista is fully installed) The motherboard comes with ASUS InstAll wizard. I start installing and the computer has to reboot. Then the problems start. The system will not recognize the hard drive. In BIOS, during POST...nothing. So I clear the CMOS and start over. Sometimes it recognizes the HDD, other times nothing. And when it does recognize the HDD, I'm prompted to install vista again...and when I go through the install, vista does not recognize the HDD. the HDD is spining up.

So I changed out the HDD to my old 74gb Raptor and xp boots up...so I start to install the drivers and now it won't boot up...says I'm missing a windows 32.dll.

Is this something that is RMA on the motherboard? or can I clear out the BOIS somehow to start over? please help. here's my system:

motherboard: ASUS maximus extreme
CPU: QX6850
RAM: Cellshock DDR3-1800
HDD: WD Cavier SE16 750gb
videocard: eVGA 8800gtx superclocked

thanks in advance

Im thinking your 1st hard drive has some compatability issues with vista. When you use the ASUS disk did you install the Raid drivers by chance? If so maybe that messsed things up.

As for your Raptor you cant take a drive from one computer and drop it in another one. The system files and registry is totally different.

I think you would be fine to reformat either drive and reinstall windows, and dont use the asus disk unless you have something not showing up in the device manager after alll of your updates are done.

Clearing the Cmos will reset the Bios but that isnt where the problem lies now. The problem is to totally reformat and then install. Good luck.

thanks roadrunner. I'm hoping it's the HDD. easier to replace than the motherboard. so now how do I format the hd? it won't even recognize it's attached.

I just had another idea. You mentioned its an ASUS board. Which Sata connector did you plug the HDD into? I have a cheaper ASUS board and the manual said use SATA 3,4 for the HDD. Maybe you have it in 1,2. I had to read the tiny print on the board as the ones I would of assumed was 3,4 were actually 1,2.

Will it recognizae the Raptor? If so boot from dvd and start to install and when it promts you delete the partion and make a new one to reformat on. Also in the Bios make sure the sata is set as ide mode and not something else.

I originally plugged it into SATA 1, then SATA 4. same issue. WD website actually says the I might have to activate the RAID, even though I only have one HDD. And it also might be a controller issue. just seems funny that the problems occured the second after I started to install the ASUS drivers.

Ya my quess is when you put in ASUS drivers that it did somethng Raid and screwed it up. If you can get the Raptor to go and then use the other one as a secondary you can format it in windows.

Double check the SATA options in the Bios and make sure its IDE mode.
Possibly it is a problem with the HDD and you might need to follow their directions. It worked before so I dont think that is the case. Check the manual and see what slot it needs to be plugged in then put it in that slot and reset cmos so it will have to redetect everything. Just swapping without resetting cmos wont help.

thanks Roadrunner. should it be set to IDE, or AHCI? I got the HDD off newegg as OEM...so no manuals or anything. WD website doesn't say much on what sata port. and asus' site is behind. This board just came out last week and it seems that support is a little behind. thanks again

It should be set to IDE but it wouldnt hurt to try both just incase. But if neither fixes you set it to IDE. Your motherboard manual will tell you which connector to use but remember after you change it to clear the cmos. If you cant find the motherboard manual if i get time I will locate it for you online.

I have the manual, thanks though. after reading a couple more forums...nothing directly addressing this, but close...I think it is a driver-HDD issue, and nothing physically wrong with the motherboard or HDD. thanks again...you pointed me in the right direction. Western Digital's webpage even says that on some drives you have to set the BIOS to RAID...even though there is just one HDD. It's this kind of crap that really takes the wind out of my sails...

Cool keep me posted please.

Well...I tried to change the BIOS several ways and no luck. I will flash an updated BIOS next

during POST it at first recognizes the HDD on SATA 1 and the dvd on SATA 2...but the the J-Micron PATA-SATA Controller posts and then the HDD is unrecognised. I cleared the CMOS and now the IDE on SATA 1 isn't even recognised.

There should be a setting for the J micron controller as well as just the sata. Try making sure the J micron controller is set as ide. Try your other drive and reformat.

ahh yes, therein lies the problem. I can't format the raptor (from an old pc with family photos = wife killing me)...and I don't have another drive. so I'm stuck with the WD 750 not being recognized and ASUS tech support closed for the holiday weekend. I'll try flashing with the updated BIOS. If I can't figure it out I'll call then again on Monday and post here the solution. thanks again for you help

Your welcome.

I had a drive which did the same thing not long ago (WD 250GB). I had to wait several minutes between restarts (or unplug completely the computer for a few seconds) or the drive would not be seen. It was obviously not a driver issue or an OS compatibility issue (Windows has no control over POST). The solution was to replace the drive (same model).

As for your test with your other drive... It is not really conclusive since Windows is not that good with auto-detection, but I guess it wouldn't hurt to use "memtest" to check your memory first.

can you run memtest though if I don't have an OS installed?

Ya if you put it on a cd or a floppy.