Hi,

Can you give more detail about the HW used? The motherboard in your signature (ABit AB-BE6-II) should have a RAID controller, but it is supposed to be a HighPoint one and not an ITE one, is it the same system and a ITE based RAID card installed or another system with a motherboard using an ITE controller?

MagefromAntares wrote on Yesterday, 23:43:

Hi,

Can you give more detail about the HW used? The motherboard in your signature (ABit AB-BE6-II) should have a RAID controller, but it is supposed to be a HighPoint one and not an ITE one, is it the same system and a ITE based RAID card installed or another system with a motherboard using an ITE controller?

Hi. Thanks for the response. Yeah, you've more or less got it. It's the motherboard in my signature. I don't think I was able to get my biggest HDD to work correctly with the HighPoint one, so yeah - it's an ITE RAID card I'm using. I believe it's some generic brand, but it's essentially the ITE8212F. I was reading through another thread and grabbed a load of BIOS updates and flasher, but I'm not sure whether they'll work. I did read mention of having to do something with unsoldering or using an EPROM...? Totally out of my skill-level if that's what's required.

Hi,

If the data-sheet of the chip at https://theretroweb.com/chips/4664 to be believed (Unfortunately it is V0.3, so it might not be 100% true to the final released chip) then the EPROM path is not workable as this IC has its own integrated flashable ROM, so it will be most likely not compatible with standard EPROM writing equipment, and there doesn't seem to be pins supporting an external EPROM to be installed.

This also seem to be supported by the only card listed on that page that contains this chip https://theretroweb.com/expansioncards/s/startech-pciide2, it only contains two ICs one the ITE controller itself and another which I unable to find the exact specifications for, but it seems to be more like a interface/bridge(This is purely conjecture as I cannot find information on that second chip on the card) chip than some kind of ROM.

However if it hangs "Please wait for IDE scan.." message it is possible that one of the HDDs connected to the card is answering too slowly, have you checked the HDDs with a different RAID card, it can be used to confirm if the card is getting stuck or one of the HDDs are answering slowly? (Of course if it contains valuable data, backup that first, as connecting to a different brand of RAID card might damage the data on the HDD)

MagefromAntares wrote on Today, 00:26:

Hi, […]
Show full quote

Hi,

If the data-sheet of the chip at https://theretroweb.com/chips/4664 to be believed (Unfortunately it is V0.3, so it might not be 100% true to the final released chip) then the EPROM path is not workable as this IC has its own integrated flashable ROM, so it will be most likely not compatible with standard EPROM writing equipment, and there doesn't seem to be pins supporting an external EPROM to be installed.

This also seem to be supported by the only card listed on that page that contains this chip https://theretroweb.com/expansioncards/s/startech-pciide2, it only contains two ICs one the ITE controller itself and another which I unable to find the exact specifications for, but it seems to be more like a interface/bridge(This is purely conjecture as I cannot find information on that second chip on the card) chip than some kind of ROM.

However if it hangs "Please wait for IDE scan.." message it is possible that one of the HDDs connected to the card is answering too slowly, have you checked the HDDs with a different RAID card, it can be used to confirm if the card is getting stuck or one of the HDDs are answering slowly? (Of course if it contains valuable data, backup that first, as connecting to a different brand of RAID card might damage the data on the HDD)

This is the card I have, which was taken from the linked thread:

So I'm not sure how similar it is. The writing/serials on the chips are different.

Unfortunately, I don't have another RAID card. This is my first. Though if I do ever get another, I think I'll be tracking down one of the more reputable brands. The data on my HDD are my backed up CD images, so I definitely don't want to lose them. Sometimes I can get the HDD connected to my main PC to backup, but I say sometimes as the drive hardly ever gets detected by my IDE/SATA adapter. It's likely due to it being a Deathstar model.

DustyShinigami wrote on Today, 00:46:

Unfortunately, I don't have another RAID card. This is my first. Though if I do ever get another, I think I'll be tracking down one of the more reputable brands. The data on my HDD are my backed up CD images, so I definitely don't want to lose them. Sometimes I can get the HDD connected to my main PC to backup, but I say sometimes as the drive hardly ever gets detected by my IDE/SATA adapter. It's likely due to it being a Deathstar model.

If by "Deathstar" you mean the infamous IBM Deskstar then I would seriously reconsider using it to store any important data, one of the few serious data loses I personally experienced was the data stored on that specific kind of drive, I have heard that the later models manufactured by Hitachi was more reliable after IBM sold the technology to them, but if it is an original IBM Deskstar I wouldn't trust it even as a 2nd line backup.

If we're still talking the IC35L 120AVV207-0, that's not a so-called 'DeathStar' model (originally the 75GXP & with a different issue , the 60GXP) though yours doesn't sound in the best of health...try running the attached 'drive fitness test' app against it

Far as your raid card firmware goes, v1.4.1.6 is pretty old with the latest being v1.7.1.94 which is here... https://theretroweb.com/chip/bios/bios-8212ra … 1b664259158.zip

Can't see anything in the card manual re. suppressing the option ROM splash message and this is more likely a function of the mb BIOS rather than the card, if at all.

MagefromAntares wrote on Today, 00:51:

DustyShinigami wrote on Today, 00:46:

Unfortunately, I don't have another RAID card. This is my first. Though if I do ever get another, I think I'll be tracking down one of the more reputable brands. The data on my HDD are my backed up CD images, so I definitely don't want to lose them. Sometimes I can get the HDD connected to my main PC to backup, but I say sometimes as the drive hardly ever gets detected by my IDE/SATA adapter. It's likely due to it being a Deathstar model.

If by "Deathstar" you mean the infamous IBM Deskstar then I would seriously reconsider using it to store any important data, one of the few serious data loses I personally experienced was the data stored on that specific kind of drive, I have heard that the later models manufactured by Hitachi was more reliable after IBM sold the technology to them, but if it is an original IBM Deskstar I wouldn't trust it even as a 2nd line backup.

I think it is an Hitachi. I’d have to check. There might even be a pic of it in another thread. It is something I’ll need to replace at some point.

EDIT: Yeah, so I think it’s this one:

PC Hoarder Patrol wrote on Today, 02:10:

If we're still talking the IC35L 120AVV207-0, that's not a so-called 'DeathStar' model (originally the 75GXP & with a different […]
Show full quote

If we're still talking the IC35L 120AVV207-0, that's not a so-called 'DeathStar' model (originally the 75GXP & with a different issue , the 60GXP) though yours doesn't sound in the best of health...try running the attached 'drive fitness test' app against it

The attachment Dft32_User_Guide.pdf is no longer available

The attachment DFT32V320.EXE is no longer available

Far as your raid card firmware goes, v1.4.1.6 is pretty old with the latest being v1.7.1.94 which is here... https://theretroweb.com/chip/bios/bios-8212ra … 1b664259158.zip

Can't see anything in the card manual re. suppressing the option ROM splash message and this is more likely a function of the mb BIOS rather than the card, if at all.

Wow. You have a good memory. 😄 But yes, that’s the model; same as the one in the image. But yeah, I do suspect the health of it is flaky as connecting with my adapter to my main PC often gives me a clicking sound and it fails to detect it more often than not.

But thanks for the link to the Drive Fitness Test. I don’t think anyone shared that previously. It’d be nice to get a clearer picture on its health.

And thanks for the link to the firmware. I have downloaded quite a few, but hopefully this does the trick. Fingers crossed it eliminates the issue. 😩🤞🏻

PC Hoarder Patrol wrote on Today, 02:10:

If we're still talking the IC35L 120AVV207-0, that's not a so-called 'DeathStar' model (originally the 75GXP & with a different […]
Show full quote

If we're still talking the IC35L 120AVV207-0, that's not a so-called 'DeathStar' model (originally the 75GXP & with a different issue , the 60GXP) though yours doesn't sound in the best of health...try running the attached 'drive fitness test' app against it

The attachment Dft32_User_Guide.pdf is no longer available

The attachment DFT32V320.EXE is no longer available

Far as your raid card firmware goes, v1.4.1.6 is pretty old with the latest being v1.7.1.94 which is here... https://theretroweb.com/chip/bios/bios-8212ra … 1b664259158.zip

Can't see anything in the card manual re. suppressing the option ROM splash message and this is more likely a function of the mb BIOS rather than the card, if at all.

Yeah, same problem as yesterday. And this was with both versions of the update utility. 🙁

Tried about 7 or so updates, as well as using update utility 2.01 and 2.02 and I get the same thing every time. It also fails on Blank Check and Verify.

PC Hoarder Patrol wrote on Today, 02:10:

If we're still talking the IC35L 120AVV207-0, that's not a so-called 'DeathStar' model (originally the 75GXP & with a different […]
Show full quote

If we're still talking the IC35L 120AVV207-0, that's not a so-called 'DeathStar' model (originally the 75GXP & with a different issue , the 60GXP) though yours doesn't sound in the best of health...try running the attached 'drive fitness test' app against it

The attachment Dft32_User_Guide.pdf is no longer available

The attachment DFT32V320.EXE is no longer available

Far as your raid card firmware goes, v1.4.1.6 is pretty old with the latest being v1.7.1.94 which is here... https://theretroweb.com/chip/bios/bios-8212ra … 1b664259158.zip

Can't see anything in the card manual re. suppressing the option ROM splash message and this is more likely a function of the mb BIOS rather than the card, if at all.

Just installed and ran that test and yeah, the Hitachi drive, before it even gets anywhere with the test, gives me a red box saying there's a problem with the drive. Says Disposition Code = 0x71. Not surprising really. So at some point soon I'll have to get it replaced. Back up the stuff on it and get rid of it. Hopefully that solves the issue.

The 27C512 chip is definitely an EPROM that likely holds the card's BIOS. It's probably not possible to flash it via software without adding the missing jumpers (JP1/JP2) but would need a closer look at the connections to know for sure.

jmarsh wrote on Today, 15:57:

The 27C512 chip is definitely an EPROM that likely holds the card's BIOS. It's probably not possible to flash it via software without adding the missing jumpers (JP1/JP2) but would need a closer look at the connections to know for sure.

I see. Hmm. I don't recall seeing any jumpers on the card. I'll have to take it out and take pics of the front and back.

DustyShinigami wrote on Today, 16:02:

I see. Hmm. I don't recall seeing any jumpers on the card. I'll have to take it out and take pics of the front and back.

It is because the jumper pins are not installed on your card, their places are marked as JP1 and JP2 on the picture you have posted, the card that I linked previously(https://theretroweb.com/expansioncards/s/startech-pciide2) actually has two set of jumper pins installed in almost the same position(Both cards are most likely based on the same reference design). Unfortunately the manual on theretroweb.com doesn't mention what exactly those two jumpers do...

EDIT: Also I have found the data-sheet(https://www.alldatasheet.com/datasheet-pdf/pd … K/HT27C512.html) for that second IC on your card and it is indeed an EPROM as jmarsh said, I have misidentified it in my initial assessment of the similar StarTech PCIIDE2 card, so thanks jmarsh for correcting my misinterpretation.

MagefromAntares wrote on Today, 18:44:

DustyShinigami wrote on Today, 16:02:

I see. Hmm. I don't recall seeing any jumpers on the card. I'll have to take it out and take pics of the front and back.

It is because the jumper pins are not installed on your card, their places are marked as JP1 and JP2 on the picture you have posted, the card that I linked previously(https://theretroweb.com/expansioncards/s/startech-pciide2) actually has two set of jumper pins installed in almost the same position(Both cards are most likely based on the same reference design). Unfortunately the manual on theretroweb.com doesn't mention what exactly those two jumpers do...

EDIT: Also I have found the data-sheet(https://www.alldatasheet.com/datasheet-pdf/pd … K/HT27C512.html) for that second IC on your card and it is indeed an EPROM as jmarsh said, I have misidentified it in my initial assessment of the similar StarTech PCIIDE2 card, so thanks jmarsh for correcting my misinterpretation.

Ahh, I see now. Thanks. I take it a replacement would have to be soldered on?

DustyShinigami wrote on Today, 18:59:

MagefromAntares wrote on Today, 18:44:

DustyShinigami wrote on Today, 16:02:

I see. Hmm. I don't recall seeing any jumpers on the card. I'll have to take it out and take pics of the front and back.

It is because the jumper pins are not installed on your card, their places are marked as JP1 and JP2 on the picture you have posted, the card that I linked previously(https://theretroweb.com/expansioncards/s/startech-pciide2) actually has two set of jumper pins installed in almost the same position(Both cards are most likely based on the same reference design). Unfortunately the manual on theretroweb.com doesn't mention what exactly those two jumpers do...

EDIT: Also I have found the data-sheet(https://www.alldatasheet.com/datasheet-pdf/pd … K/HT27C512.html) for that second IC on your card and it is indeed an EPROM as jmarsh said, I have misidentified it in my initial assessment of the similar StarTech PCIIDE2 card, so thanks jmarsh for correcting my misinterpretation.

Ahh, I see now. Thanks. I take it a replacement would have to be soldered on?

Yes that would be the proper way to fix it, however if that is the card's BIOS chip the issue most likely a deeper one, I have taken a look at the data-sheet of the HTR27C512 and on the first page it mentions that it is one time programmable(OTP), so it is possible that writing the BIOS to this card will fail regardless of jumper settings because the chip they have chosen for the BIOS cannot be reprogrammed.

MagefromAntares wrote on Today, 19:02:

DustyShinigami wrote on Today, 18:59:

MagefromAntares wrote on Today, 18:44:

It is because the jumper pins are not installed on your card, their places are marked as JP1 and JP2 on the picture you have posted, the card that I linked previously(https://theretroweb.com/expansioncards/s/startech-pciide2) actually has two set of jumper pins installed in almost the same position(Both cards are most likely based on the same reference design). Unfortunately the manual on theretroweb.com doesn't mention what exactly those two jumpers do...

EDIT: Also I have found the data-sheet(https://www.alldatasheet.com/datasheet-pdf/pd … K/HT27C512.html) for that second IC on your card and it is indeed an EPROM as jmarsh said, I have misidentified it in my initial assessment of the similar StarTech PCIIDE2 card, so thanks jmarsh for correcting my misinterpretation.

Ahh, I see now. Thanks. I take it a replacement would have to be soldered on?

Yes that would be the proper way to fix it, however if that is the card's BIOS chip the issue most likely a deeper one, I have taken a look at the data-sheet of the HTR27C512 and on the first page it mentions that it is one time programmable(OTP), so it is possible that writing the BIOS to this card will fail regardless of jumper settings because the chip they have chosen for the BIOS cannot be reprogrammed.

Ahh, man, that sucks. But thanks for checking. I can only hope and presume the issue I have is because of the HDD anyway. Failing that, I'll have to look out for a RAID controller from a better company and check if the jumpers are in place.