4IDE w/o raid?

[fixrupr]

I am designing a PC for a family member. Among the requirements is the need for 4 IDE channels. Raid is not needed. I have done many searches, but cannot get any info on:

AMD mobo with 4IDE channels, sans raid.

I wish to simplify setup and subsequent bios upgrades, by not dealing with raid at all. I am led to believe that boards of this design exist, but I cannot find any.

Have you knowledge of this type motherboard?

[mjc]

I think that the controller will allow you to use RAID but most of them can be run without enabling a RAID configuratio, therby giving you you're required IDE channels, without RAID.

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[Rick]

All the boards I have worked on that include 4 channel IDE control will allow you to select how you want the drives on the secondary IDE controller setup.
The Asus A7V for example will allow you to install and access 8 drives using the 2 primary channels and the 2 Promise channels .

The easiest way to add the #5-8 drive is to fdisk and format them on the 1st controller and then move them to the promise controller.
The Promise when active will auto detect the drives during bootup .

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To ERR is HUMAN
To REALLY screw things UP, YOU NEED a COMPUTER !

[fixrupr]

Thanks for your input.
I presently am running Abit KT7A-Raid, simply as 4-channel board, so I am aware of the manner in which a raid setup works.
The relatives’ machine will be out of town, and the raid configuration, while not complex, is beyond their ability to easily deal with.
My Abit requires extra drivers and menu options, as well as separate bios access to Hpt setup.

My question is; are there any boards available that do not require separate setup re: controller, bios, drivers etc.


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"Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler. "
------- Albert Einstein (1879-1955)--------

[mjc]

Simple answer...no, the speifications for IDE limit it to two channels...anything else needs an add-in card (or on-board), which would entail extra drivers, BIOS etc, whether it has RAID or not.

But it looks like Promise has a RAID free card...Ultra100TX2 (http://www.promise.com/Products/Default.htm)

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.

[ranchdog]

Not to my knowledge, unless it would be a Server/Workstation Mboard.

Most of those have an onboard SCSI setup.

Luck.


http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

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......Indecision may or may not be my problem......
...... Kickin' A Rock....

[This message has been edited by ranchdog (edited 12-08-2001).]

[fixrupr]

Well, I’ll decide between raid mobo and controller card per mjc’s link. Pros and cons abound. What to do… what to do…. what to do …… http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif

Thanks to all! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif
Fixrupr
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"Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goal."
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