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Adding 2nd SATA Drive -- Can't Enable in BIOS?

Discussion in 'Storage and Networking' started by HisRocker, May 12, 2010.

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  1. HisRocker Newcomer, in training

    System = Dell Inspiron 531

    Had issue with boot drive, so replaced and re-loaded Windows Vista OS.

    Decided to add original drive to grab some data; so installed the old drive in Sata Port 2. The drive did not work -- I thot is might be a bad SATA cable, so started switching things around.

    Net is -- drive works fine if new boot drive is in SATA port 0; and prior hard drive is plugged in SATA port 1 (where CD had been plugged). Copied data, etc.

    So -- knew I needed to ENABLE SATA Port 2 in BIOS -- but when I go there -- those items are 'Greyed out' and not selectable.

    KEY QUESTION - Is there some other change that has to be made to enable SATA ports in BIOS? I went in Device Manager -- found the 'controller' entry -- but nothing seemed out of place there.

    Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

    Regards, HisRocker
  2. mailpup TechSpot Special Forces

    Under Integrated Peripherals in the BIOS are the SATA ports greyed out even if there is a device plugged into one of them? I wish your manual would show illustrations of the BIOS pages but they don't.
  3. HisRocker Newcomer, in training

    After a number of searches -- found this one on the Dell Forums:

    Link = en.community.dell.com/support-forums/disk-drives/f/3534/p/19270781/19472522.aspx

    I had the same issue - here is the solution:

    Reboot and enter bios setup (F2)

    Step 1: HDD SMART: DISABLED

    Step 2: Advanced / Integrated Peripherals / Serial-ATA Configuration;
    set the SATA controller to SATA 1+2 - this activates the other 2 SATA ports

    That should do it - good luck!

    :grinthumb
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