Do I need a new Power Supply?

[manual_overide]

I am trying to run 2 hard drives on a Promise ATA 100 controller. Windows ran just fine, but linux freezes during boot if I have the 2nd hard drive plugged in. It'll detect it and everything, then the whole boot process freezes until I unplug the HD. Then it will continue just fine. I have a P3 600, 2 128MB sticks of RAM, DVD drive, CD-RW, IDE ZIP drive, Geforce video, soundcard, network card, modem, TV card, and the ATA card. I have a 250w power supply.

Does this sound like a power problem? Am I just using too much hardware for the power supply? If you think my dmesg output will help, just ask. It's pretty long so I won't waste Sensei's server space if I don't have to. Thanks for any help

[The Whizzard]

I can't help you with your problem, but I can help you from frying your HDD and HDD controller. DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT, REMOVE ANY POWER OR INTERFACE CABLES WHEN THE COMPUTER IS ON!!!

If you did turn the computer off before removing any cables, then disregard any ill intentions I may have brought foward, and I apologize. This is only to make sure you don't cause damage to your equipment, and possibly save you some of your hard-earned money.

Thank you.

[KooLaiD]

Well I'm assuming your drives are hot-swappable? If not, what would posses you to remove it while it's running?
I've heard of people having problems w/ GeForce cards because of weak power supplies, but the GeForce shouldn't be using much power untill hardcore 3D is initialized. Since the system locks up when starting the 2nd drive I'm inclined to think it is some sort of power problem. I don't know the details, but it seems like Linux does a lot of stuff with harddrives during bootup.
One thing that seems strange to me:
How are you running 3 IDE devices AND the RAID card. Does the RAID take over one of your IDE channels or does it add another channel? I'm not familiar with setups using more than 2 channels so that's why I ask.
One last question:
Are you sure Linux is properly set up to recognize the new configuration? I think I remember seeing a kernel config option relating to RAID controllers.

[manual_overide]

Well, I'm running the main HD off the primary bus on the controller card, and my zip is the primary slave on the controller card. the second HD is the master of the secondary bus on the controller card. The two CD drives are on the secondary bus on the motherboard.

[DMR]

I don't know what the problem is, but it doesn't sound power supply related to me. The amount of power your devices draw isn't related to the OS, so if your system handles all the devices properly under Windows, then your supply is adequate. I think its more likely that you have some sort of hardware conflict. Sorry I can't be of more help...

[ 26 March 2001: Message edited by: DMR ]

[bdg1983]

I have the same Promise ATA100 controller and run 2 drives off it. The first is P/M and the 2nd is S/M. Works fine in Linux.

Everything jumpered correctly and both drives using the Ultra cables?

I know that Promise does not recommend attaching anything but ATA66/100 drives to the controller. No CD or Zip drives. Maybe try unplugging your Zip drive from the controller and see if it helps.

Both drives setup in Lilo/Grub correctly if your distro does not have native ATA100 support? ide2=0x300..... etc.

[Lorithar]

*peers*


*shakes head* ..

Nope ... if this were a power supply issue you wouldn't reliably make it through the boot sequence. I'd say the drive(s) or drive controller are incorrectly configured.
Not knowing much on promise controllers, I'd take Mdwatts suggestion ...

[Molecule Man]

Doing some quick figuring, you are well over 85% of PS. Even if it is not as power problem, a higher rated PS would be a good idea.