Hello,

We're attempting to use a Dell server for our install (probably overkill I know). It came with an SATA setup, which we're not going to be using (no IDE compatibility mode to make Mikrotik happy with them) So we have IDE drives to put in. Apparently the dell bios on the system doesn't let you boot off of an IDE hard drive, the cdrom but not the hard drive. (Doesn't make a lot of sense to me but I'm taking it at face value for now)

So we want to put in an IDE controller that will be compatible with Mikrotik. We had a couple old Promise cards lying around, but they cause a Kernel panic when booting to do the install, so I'm assuming they're not compatible. Can anyone recommend some IDE controller cards that will definitely work with Mikrotik?

Thanks,
Bryan

So we want to put in an IDE controller that will be compatible with Mikrotik. We had a couple old Promise cards lying around, but they cause a Kernel panic when booting to do the install, so I'm assuming they're not compatible. Can anyone recommend some IDE controller cards that will definitely work with Mikrotik?

I think any controller is compatible that has on it written "no drivers required". usually those have also BIOS chips on them. We had one, but i am too lazy to go and check, how was it called, baught it in a local computer store for like 15 USD... look for those cheap ones - they will probably work.

Im guessing one of those maxtor or western digital cards would act as a standard IDE. These come with many of the retail drives now days.

Sam

Are you sure the issue is the card, and not the BIOS? If it won't allow an init13 boot loader to be loaded, that would cause issues.

Did you just stick it in and try it, or did you also disable the onboard SATA?

If your card is old enough, IRQ jumpers/conflict.

Oh, and might try a LINUX distro and see if it has the same issues.

I did try the cards, and with the SATA disabled. The SATA has to be disabled or I don't even get as far as I did. The two promise cards are Ultra100s, not exactly old enough to have jumper issues but I recall the latest version of the linux kernel likes them fine.

From my point of view they are cheap cards but they do require drivers in some circumstances. I was hoping someone could tell me a card they knew worked. Otherwise I guess I'll have to go out to our local box store and get a variety to try out.

Thanks,
Bryan

Are you sure the issue is the card, and not the BIOS? If it won't allow an init13 boot loader to be loaded, that would cause issues.

AFAIK, System BIOS is supposed to run all other PCI device BIOS when it is initializing PCI bus. That way the BIOS of videocard must be run it in order for you to get picture on your monitor. The System BIOS must also start the BIOS of yout ATA controller you put in the PCI slot, and when it will start, it may provide you with a configuration facility to choose whether the device BIOS should install its own interrupt handler. If the system BIOS is not starting anything, you have a broken BIOS and you should change it