Rampage IV Extreme Asmedia SATA ports not working

[TigerNightmare]

Hey, all, I just built this computer and I've been having issues with the non-Intel SATA ports. I understand I'm only supposed to put hard drives in it, but nothing I plug into it works.

Right now, I have three drives as a RAID 5, a blu-ray drive, and a 3.5" hot swap bay plugged into the Intel controller and a single hard drive and an eSATA port on my chassis plugged into the two Asmedia ports. The plan is to switch to RAID 10, transfer all my files over, then grow the array to four drives while keeping a non-RAID disk for DVR recordings.

I downloaded and flashed the latest BIOS from the website (4403) and everything looks alright there. I don't see the Asmedia OPROM when booting, even though it's enabled. Same thing if that other setting says Force BIOS or Keep Current. In Device Manager under IDE/ATAPI controllers, I see Asmedia 106x SATA Controller, ATA Channel 0 and ATA Channel 1, but I'm thinking those are the built-in eSATA ports in the back. I have the latest drivers installed, but no matter what I plug into there, nothin. It's not the drives either. I tried different ones and they all get recognized if I use the Intel controller. Please tell me there's something I can do to get them working. Would be a huge pain in the ass to RMA at this point.

[Nodens]

If the drives you connected had an actual file system then they should show up on file manager. RMA it. That Asmedia controller is dead.

Can you verify that you have gone through the RMA system once? And if you have your previous RMA number can you PM it to me?

[TigerNightmare]

You said you would forward this issue to someone who perhaps specializes in repeat RMA situations?

[Nodens]

Got the PM. I forwarded your case to people that can help you:)

[diamondlod]

Was there a resolution to this? I am experiencing the EXACT same situation...

[Jambo]

I had the same issue, I spent hours on this 😞

In the end, I resolved the issue by using different SATA cables, the included black and white connector cables (which worked on the Intel controller) would not work on the ASMEDIA interface. I tried several aftermarket cables which also did not work. In the end I found some old SATA cables which worked. Very strange 😞

PS. Please also note, I found out you have to use the ASMEDIA interface ports in the correct way i.e. 1st sata port, 2nd sata port, etc., otherwise if you start by using sata port 4 first your hdd will not be recognised!

[Nodens]

Yes. If you have your previous RMA number please send it to me via PM (I added that to the previous post but you probably missed it heh).

[TigerNightmare]

I have an update of sorts. I received an e-mail a few days ago that said I qualified for the ASUS Premium Support (APS) program for an advance replacement. I should hear back about the next step within a week. Here is some general info about the program, but it looks like your standard warranty stuff.

http://www.service.asus.com/#!aps/ctse

It looks like I have to eat more shipping costs to return the board I have unless they provide me with a shipping label, which looks unlikely based on what it says.

Jambo, is there a brand or a model number for the cables you used? It's not a real solution for me unless I have the same cables. I've tried various kinds, from the included black ones to some red ones and grey ones and others that came with hard drives and other computers. All of them only work with the Intel controller. Also, what did you mean by "correct way"? There are only two ASMedia ports, so I don't know what not to do with them. I need all of my Intel ports for my RAID 10 array, my blu-ray drive and to a lesser extent my eSATA port (does anyone use those?). I have to boot from the RAID 10 unless I move Windows somewhere else. I heard you can't boot from the ASMedia ports anyway. Please clarify.

[HiVizMan]

Have you guys been speaking to cl-albert at all?

[TigerNightmare]

I got an e-mail from a cl-Tien in December and my response was replied to by cl-Mark, who said he needed to look into my case some more before e-mailing me back following a holiday break.

[Jambo]

Hi,

Unfortunately, the cables I am using are not branded, they were included with a motherboard but I cannot remember what make or model. They are however marked as being rated for 6Gbps.

In reference to the 'correct way', I meant use port 1 of ASmedia first, then port 2 of ASmedia SATA controller. Also, I have the black edition of this motherboard which has four SATA ports, sorry I should have pointed this out.