Sata Power up problem

[Maleko]

ok, major problem...

Im building a PC for a friend, just a lil gaming machine, nothing high spec.

Here the specs:

ASUS K8V-X SE

Sempron 64 2800+

512 Crucial PC2700 Ram

XFX Geforce 6200

Western Digital 80GB SATA Disk

350Watt Antec Smart Power PSU

After building it all, boot it up...the hard disk doesnt spin up, not detected in windows setup or in WD Diagnosic boot.

I know the hard drive works as i tested it in mine, and it powered up and my bios detected it no problem.

What I have found out is that IDE hard drives DO work in it.

Also, I found that when I unplug the Sata data cable from either the motherboard end, or hard drive end, the hard drive then does spin up (hear and feel it)

As soon as the cable is put back in, it doesnt spin up.

Also, if i disconnect the 12V Rail from the board the hard drive spins up, of course it wont post.

I have also tried 2 different PSU's with no effect...I have also had the Motherboard replaced.

There is no jumper setting onthe board to enable SATA...or anything like that in the Bios....

Im totally lost....any ideas...

[ssmokee]

Is that a SATA 2 hard drive? If so, that is likely your problem. The VIA 8237 southbridge doesnt like SATA 2 drives. I think the WD drives have some kind of compatability mode you can set (using a jumper on the drive) to force SATA 1 speeds and make it work with that board.

[Maleko]

no, not sata 2, but did some more testing here at work to find it dont power up when connected to a system with a 12v power rail....weird...

[ssmokee]

Im not sure what you mean. Is that what changes when you use the native SATA power connecter vs the older 4pin molex style (I see the WD drive has both)? If yes, which connector goes to what rail?

[RJARRRPCGP]

Also, I found that when I unplug the Sata data cable from either the motherboard end, or hard drive end, the hard drive then does spin up (hear and feel it)

That's the problem I saw before when a PATA cable was connected the wrong way on a PATA HDD or the motherboard. Are you sure the cable is on the right way. You're likely required to flip it.

[Maleko]

Also, I found that when I unplug the Sata data cable from either the motherboard end, or hard drive end, the hard drive then does spin up (hear and feel it)

That's the problem I saw before when a PATA cable was connected the wrong way on a PATA HDD or the motherboard. Are you sure the cable is on the right way. You're likely required to flip it.

You cant put sata cables in the wrong way, they only fit one way

solved it now, was a faulty hard drive....weird....