The problem first and then some background: Computer boots up BIOS says two HDDs and two CD/DVDs as far as drives go. Next windows XP Pro loads. Windows proceeds to let me know that the HDD that was at the very last IDE group is NOT there. A further search using 'My Computer -> Manage -> Storage -> Disk Management: Says the HDD isn't there as either a drive or partition. I checked the drivers for the ENTIRE Pc and nothing is out of date / malfunctioning / code_10'ing(can't start). So I restart the PC and check BIOS to ensure it's not a 0 0 0 0 issue where the zeros equal all possible values for the drive stats (i.e. heads; sectors; etc.) the drive stats add up fine, the S.M.A.R.T. Status is golden, and a further loading of ubuntu says what was already obvious: The drive is fine. I came across an article stating the Rules of Limitations in windows XP and was wondering if it is simply and issue of I have too many drives connected. Windows XP Help said that over 4 IDE's may cause it to not recognize the over 4 IDEs. If anyone is familiar with XP C#!$Blocking HDDs from getting detected whereas other OS's (namely newer ones) don't, please help.
system stats
HP Pavilion a1430n
Power Supply@ 500watts
2GB DDR (4 x 512MB) <------- despite the RAM being DDR 1 the FSB is @ 1000Mhz
ATI x1950 Pro PCI-e Crossfire Edition
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Edition
LightScribe DVD/r/rw/rom (1 PATA, 1 SATA; total 2 of same)
Western Digital 320 GB SATA II HDD
Western Digital 100 GB SATA I HDD
Seagate 1TB USB HDD
system stats
HP Pavilion a1430n
Power Supply@ 500watts
2GB DDR (4 x 512MB) <------- despite the RAM being DDR 1 the FSB is @ 1000Mhz
ATI x1950 Pro PCI-e Crossfire Edition
Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Platinum Edition
LightScribe DVD/r/rw/rom (1 PATA, 1 SATA; total 2 of same)
Western Digital 320 GB SATA II HDD
Western Digital 100 GB SATA I HDD
Seagate 1TB USB HDD