A31p and Ultrabay SATA Adapter

[suandmarc]

Recently purchased for backups, etc. Works very nicely for routine backups and as a second drive, but upon testing bootability (re-arranging the STARTUP sequence via BIOS, of course), I have found that the boot process insists on also using the primary IDE drive concurrently, resulting in a complete and otherwise normal startup. Removal of the IDE drive and booting only with the SATA drive (as the Startup) results in a normal bootup until the XP Pro welcome screen. At this point, the startup process essentially slows down (SATA drive access diminishes) and halts, leaving a static WELCOME screen in place. I have performed the same tests using my IBM IDE Ultrabay adapter, and there are no such problems.

Anyone have a constructive idea for resolving this one?

[Harryc]

It sounds to me that by booting the drives concurrently, both with Windows on them, that the OS got your drive letters merged and decided to use both drives. When you pull one out it won't boot because it is looking for files or partitions on the other drive. It is always a bad idea to boot two drives both with Windows on them.