Can't boot with any IDE drive connected

[Alaza]

I've just got my IP35 Pro with the 14th BIOS, but I can't boot with anything connected to my IDE controller. I've tried a Plextor DVD-RW and a Seagate drive, and three cables, but nothing works. What on earth is this crappy controller doing on my mobo?

Anyway, I understand its a general problem that the controller is of very poor quality? So the only solution is to return the mobo and get another one?

[BUFF]

So it POSTs properly without anything connected to the JMicron?
Do you have the drives properly jumpered for Master/Slave?

They pretty much all use the same controller (Asus, Gigabyte etc.) on their P35 mobos.

[Alaza]

It posts great without anything connected to the IDE controller. I just tried again, and this time I got into the BIOS and it froze, which it doesn't do else. I tried Cable Select and so forth, but it shouldn't matter if it's just one device, should it?

[BUFF]

Do you have your RAM set at the manufacturer's recommended voltage (not necessarily the JEDEc 1.8V)?
If you have your PATA drive configured wrongly for the connector on the cable that it's on (i.e set as slave but installed at the end) yes, it can matter.

[Alaza]

Well, the RAM is completely bench stable, so that definetaly shouldn't matter? But they're running at 1.8v, and I'm not sure what the official specification is.

I actually never knew that it could matter if a slave drive was on the end cable, oh well, I'll check it out, but I'm pretty sure I've already been through all that.

As a last note it seems that everyone agrees that it's just a lousy controller, so it's seems to be a dead end?

[gilgamesh]

Well, the RAM is completely bench stable, so that definetaly shouldn't matter? But they're running at 1.8v, and I'm not sure what the official specification is.

I actually never knew that it could matter if a slave drive was on the end cable, oh well, I'll check it out, but I'm pretty sure I've already been through all that.

As a last note it seems that everyone agrees that it's just a lousy controller, so it's seems to be a dead end?

in all honesty mate, jmicron is a rubbish controller, as stated in my review, I will investigate is issue myself tonight, as to be honest the first thing i did was disable jmicron and upgrade to a sata dvd burner. If a confirmation is not forthcoming by Monday I will have an answer then (i dont have net at home, only at work)

gilgamesh

[Alaza]

I got that impression too surfing the forums, but that's a crappy solution. Luckily I know my retailer, and I can go to him anytime with a RMA and get a new card on my way out, but what won't help much if it's the same controller. What about the Gigabyte DQ6, wouldn't that be a better choice?

[Alaza]

Now guys, listen to this. I changed my RAM sockets and now my IDE controller works just fine. I've been able to install XP and I've been up running for a couple of hours now with both drives detected.

[JKL]

motherboards are strange beasts, each has it's own personality, kinda like dogs!