Setting up full scsi computer..how to load OS?

blackhawk · Post by **blackhawk** » Sun Nov 30, 2003 6:41 pm

Only ran scsi opticals in the past but picked up a cheap 10k hd to try an all scsi computer.
Thought I'd try this with my standby setup but cant figure out how to do it. First thought I'd ghost the ide drive to the scsi but ghost cant see the scsi?

I have an Adaptec 2940u2w with an 18gb hard drive and a plex burner & a reader, all scsi.

Its probably simple but how do I load an OS? I've setup scsi for first boot but need the cdr to load the OS, win2k pro and cant do that from dos.

If I leave the ide boot drive in, normal boot and all scsi devices work.

Judg3 · Post by **Judg3** » Sun Nov 30, 2003 7:50 pm

It works the same as installing IDE drives, except you better have the driver disk handy and when the Win2k setup says "Press F(something) if you need to install 3rd party drivers" follow along and install the drivers for the Adaptec.
You shouldn't need to use the IDE CD-ROM to install from, the WIn2k setup has basic SCSI info setup and it'll boot off of it - I've done it plenty of times before with almost the exact same hardware (18Gb IBM drive, Plextor CD-RW & Adaptec 2940U2 card) so no worries!

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Sun Nov 30, 2003 8:47 pm

If Ghost can't see the SCSI drive then BIOS isn't recognizing the SCSI drive. Ghost will see anything BIOS recognizes.

No drivers necessary in DOS (which is where Ghost runs from). Make sure the SCSI controller BIOS comes up when you POST and recognizes the drive.

If you're running Win2K, forget about Ghosting it to the SCSI. Won't work. 2K will not recognize the SCSI because it expects to find the OS on the the IDE controller. Only way it'll work is with a new install.

If you're running XP then you can do it. After Ghosting it you'll need to boot from the CD, press F6 when prompted to to indicate you're using a SCSI device. Make sure you have your SCSI drivers on a floppy. Select REPAIR from the SECOND menu (after it asks for the CD key).

A repair install will re-detect all hardware. Keep in mind you'll have to re-install all Service Packs and updates afterwards.

smb · Post by **smb** » Sun Nov 30, 2003 9:21 pm

If you have a win98 boot disk handy, you can use that to boot your system. Just copy smartdrive from somewhere onto the floppy. You will need it when you install win2k.

blackhawk · Post by **blackhawk** » Sun Nov 30, 2003 10:27 pm

My problem appears to be "no scsi bios installed" coming up when the adaptec is recognized. I'll have to download drivers and see if I can enable.

Judg3 · Post by **Judg3** » Sun Nov 30, 2003 10:36 pm

BLackhawk -"No SCSI BIOS Installed!" is an ok message! When it says that, it's not saying that it doesn't exist, but that the Adaptec controller card sees no reason to install it!
It'll install the SCSI BIOS if the drive size is 1GB or below, BIOS is enabled under the machine setup and on a valid address, or one or two other reasons (One used to be because there's no previously installed C:\ drive, but I've never seen it install a BIOS under that circumstance, so I think that was the older ones).

So have no fear and go on booting!

Judg3 · Post by **Judg3** » Sun Nov 30, 2003 10:36 pm

Oh, forgot, you can enable the scsi bio if you hit the key (D I think) it says when initializing and querying the drives - it gives you a bunch of diffrent options, but really - don't worry about it!

EvilHorace · Post by **EvilHorace** » Mon Dec 01, 2003 7:53 am

Having an SCSI HDD system, Win2K and have done this myself, as others have said....yes, a fresh install only and when first running it past the initial Win2K start-up, you'll get a prompt to hit the F6 key. You then press F6 and install the 3rd party drivers for the Adaptec 2940u2w. Once that's done, you can install the OS. Forget about copying anything however.

smb · Post by **smb** » Mon Dec 01, 2003 9:52 am

probaby the easiest way to do it would be to install the card/hard drive just like you would install any other hardware, while your system can boot from the ide controler. Once you get the card and drive setup, then ghost everything over to the scsi drive ad reboot.

blackhawk · Post by **blackhawk** » Mon Dec 01, 2003 12:14 pm

Sorry to keep bugging everybody but still no go.

I moved over a dvd drive so I could load the OS from an ide and even used my XP disk to see if its a go.

I can load the OS onto the scsi hard drive but on the reboot to setup, it goes to non system disk error, please reload & press enter.

I tried to download drivers from adaptec but it says they're older than the os ones.

I also setup boot sequence back to scsi after cdrom first but it wont see the scsi hard drive.

I went back to ide and the scsi disk has the winNT folder sitting there but the computer doesn't want to go directly to the scsi drive.

It just wont go to the scsi drive first

Post by **FlyingPenguin** » Mon Dec 01, 2003 1:47 pm

The adaptec should ALWAYS install SCSI BIOS automatically if it detects a hard drive (it doesn't install it if it only detects a CD or tape drive, or no drives at all).

You need the SCSI BIOS to allow BIOS to recognize the drive.

There are no drivers you have to install for this (you have to install drivers in Windows but that's a seperate issue).

If the Adaptec is not installing SCSI BIOS then it doesn't think a SCSI hard drive is connected.

Check your ribbons and jumpers. Are you using proper termination?

If the Adaptec sees the hard drive then you should get a message during the Adaptec BIOS POST screen - it scans for SCSI devices and should list all it finds.

There should be a keyboard command to get into the Adaptec's BIOS setup (ALT+H I think). You should make sure all the settings are on default and that the SCSI bios hasn't been disabled manually.

blackhawk · Post by **blackhawk** » Mon Dec 01, 2003 10:27 pm

Finally found the "secret password" at the adaptec site of- control.....A-that got me into the scsi select setup program.

I just reset everything to default and rebooted,... bios installed, hard drive recognized and cdrom found as well and so the install was completed.

Thanks for all the help and I do appreciate your time with a scsi newbie