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[enigmatl]

My old computer died and I got an HP a1640n (multimedia center pc)  There are 4 sata ports free and xtreme bootmaker seems to see the controllers.  But, no matter what I do, the system will not see the 360 dvd drive to read or flash it.  I've disabled all other devices, still nothing.  I've tried powering up for the mtkflash command, down while I select the port, then powering back up again as per a video tutorial on youtube, nothing - no matter which controller I try no matter which port I'm plugged into, I've tried all possibilities.  

Is there a good SATA controller that someone can recommend for me - and will it work despite the fact that I have 2 onboard sata controllers, one w/2 ports, one w/4?  I'm out of options and I tried everything except a new computer - and this worked fine on my old computer and I did it the hard way last time, editing mdkflash for the ich5 chipset.  So, any help would be appreciated.

[RDC]

Moved to a more appropriate forum.

[Gazcoigne]

you most likely have to modify mtkflash to suit your new chipset as they can vary slightly.

tell us more about your setup and 360 drive and help will come!!

[enigmatl]

QUOTE(Gazcoigne @ Jan 11 2007, 04:19 PM)

you most likely have to modify mtkflash to suit your new chipset as they can vary slightly.

tell us more about your setup and 360 drive and help will come!!

I have an HP a1640n multimedia center.  There are a total 0f 6 SATA ports.  Xtreme Bootmaker sees 2 ports, an ich8 2 port and an ich8 4 port.  (sata on both counts)  which it will set either up with no problem.  It also sees 2 sets of primary and secondary ide ports which it will not set up (saying they're not compatable with mtkflash probably the 8 in 1 drive or something like that).  Because the 360 drive is an MS28 drive, I am selecting the ms28 options in xtreme bootmaker.  It makes the bootup card ok and then, I disconnect all drives and boot up and go through the normal procedure.  But, no matter wheather I select port 1 or 2 and no matter which port I'm plugged into and no matter which of the 2 controllers I told xtreme boot maker and regardless of wheather or not I power the 360 down before entering my port choice or not - then repowering 10 seconds after the choice or not (and I've done these in all combinations) - it does nothing but sit there when the reading should be starting.  Is there anything I can do, or would there be a certain controller card I should order - or something else?  Any help would be appreciated.  Thanks.

[enigmatl]

Well, tried some more stuff to no avail.  It seems the SATA mode in the bios can be changed between AHCI, RAID, and IDE.  Of course, a new UsB bootup drive was created each time to reflect any possible changes that xtreme bootmaker made to mtkflash.  But still, nothing.

I have 6 SATA slots and I've tried pretty much all of them in all 3 modes and, nothing.  To recap, the drive is an MS28.  I am unable to read it (so I'm also unable to write it).  

I have even tried these things with and without my other SATA devices plugged in and, nothing.  Is there something I am missing?  Should I consider ordering a SATA controller despite having 6 ports?  If I did that, would the 6 ports I have add to the problem?  Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Lice_01]

Unless your doing the VCC switch method (which requires soldering), you need a VIA Chipset to flash an MS28. The HP a1640n has the Intel® G965 Express Chipset, which has an Intel ICH8DH southbridge. What I suggest is getting a VIA VT 6421L PCI SATA Card, Just search around and you will find it.

[enigmatl]

Ok.  For the Via chipset based SATA card, should I order the Syba SV-VIA-150R or SV-VIA-150 card?  The first supports RAID, the second does not but, the price is nearly identical.