Halp. Hardware... again

[technical.angel]

Okay, so I made the mistake of walking into Best Buy. I walked out with over $300 in computer parts.

The memory and video card, I had no problems with.

The problem comes with the SATA controller and SATA harddrive.

I didn't notice until my second trip to Best Buy (I got the specs of my computer and the ex's confused, and got a PCI express vid card instead of the AGP that I have) that the SATA controller I have is a SATA RAID controller.

I can't get the stupid drivers to install, but I don't know if that's because I'm still on the IDE hard drive. (I wasn't going to give up my weekend of WoW.)

So, do I need to get a SATA non Raid Controller, can I make the Raid Controller work with one HD? Where can I find documentation that's a little better than the stuff included with the card?

In short, HALP!

[lordlundar]

If I remember correctly, a SATA RAID card cannot work with with one drive, as it's designed specifically for the RAID assembly, similar to a SCSI setup not working without both ends terminated.

Basically, you just need to go back, inform them that the card is a RAID card and you need one that isn't.

[rvdammit]

Or get another sata drive of the same size. (From memory best option is same make/model). Then set up as raid array, 0 for data (one drive fails, all data gone), or 1 as mirrored drives, identical data on both.

[technical.angel]

I think you missed the part where I said I just spent over $300. ;) I think I'll be returning the RAID card and getting a regular SATA Controller.

[rvdammit]

I missed the part where you said you'd run out of spends, not how many used so far :p

[technical.angel]

I missed the part where you said you'd run out of spends, not how many used so far :p

I think the two are pretty much the same!

[technical.angel]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815124006

Is that a good card?

[technical.angel]

Does anyone have a suggestion/opinion on the card above? Or know of a good SATA controller?

[rvdammit]

Sorry, no idea :(

Replying so you know the thread isn't being ignored.

[technical.angel]

Thank you. ;)

[Der Cute]

Here:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815124022

Cutenoob

[technical.angel]

Of course, you would send that AFTER I ordered the one I linked.

Now, I just face a bit of a moral question.

The RAID controller I bought came with a power converter. The HD didn't and it seems this card doesn't. I don't REALLY want to try to find a power converter..

If I keep it, where does that stick me on the sucky chart?

[lordlundar]

You won't make any friends, especially amongst management. They won't be able to resell the card without everything, which will result in them getting bitched at by district.

All you need is a Molex to SATA adapter. they usually do sell them on their own, and it still will come out cheaper than the first card you bought.

[technical.angel]

I found the adapter on tigerdirect. NewEgg and office depot hadn't heard of it. I paid more for shipping than I did for the part!