P4C800-E Deluxe: Install/Enable Promise SATA ports

I have a P4C800-E Deluxe mb running WinXP SP2 & I need to add an extra
HDD. The 2 Intel SATA ports are used, so I need to enable the Promise
SATA ports, however, I do NOT want to use them in a RAID configuration.

The intention is buy a eSATA external HDD box, such as the Vantec
NexStar 3 or similar & a 320gb HDD.

My understanding is I need to download - "Promise FastTrak 378 ATA
Driver v1.00.1.30 for Windows NT4.0/98/ME/2000/XP" for non-RAID
use.

Do I install the drivers (ULSATA.inf in the WinXP dir) BEFORE or AFTER
I have enabled the Promise ports in the BIOS?

If AFTER, I presume Windows will detect the new "device" & I would
simply point the Window hardware installer to the ULSATA.inf file - Is
that correct?

Thanks

Yes, enable in bios first and be sure that it is not set to "RAID".
Use the Promise ATA driver for non raid use.

Keep in mind that your "eSATA" device requires the proper hardware
controler. I don't know for sure if an "eSATA" device will work
properly on that hardware. I'm just learning about "eSATA" and what is
required for it to function.

On Sat, 2 Dec 2006 22:06:35 +1100, "MrMagoo" <>
wrote:

>I have a P4C800-E Deluxe mb running WinXP SP2 & I need to add an extra
>HDD. The 2 Intel SATA ports are used, so I need to enable the Promise
>SATA ports, however, I do NOT want to use them in a RAID configuration.
>
>The intention is buy a eSATA external HDD box, such as the Vantec
>NexStar 3 or similar & a 320gb HDD.
>
>My understanding is I need to download - "Promise FastTrak 378 ATA
>Driver v1.00.1.30 for Windows NT4.0/98/ME/2000/XP" for non-RAID
>use.
>
>Do I install the drivers (ULSATA.inf in the WinXP dir) BEFORE or AFTER
>I have enabled the Promise ports in the BIOS?
>
>If AFTER, I presume Windows will detect the new "device" & I would
>simply point the Window hardware installer to the ULSATA.inf file - Is
>that correct?
>
>Thanks

"Bill Smith" wrote...
> Yes, enable in bios first and be sure that it is not set to "RAID".
> Use the Promise ATA driver for non raid use.
>
> Keep in mind that your "eSATA" device requires the proper hardware
> controler. I don't know for sure if an "eSATA" device will work
> properly on that hardware. I'm just learning about "eSATA" and what is
> required for it to function.

Thanks Bill.

I haven't read anything to say that a eSATA External Enclosure wouldn't
work. This issue I have is finding an external exclosure that automatically
powers down the HD when not in use.

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