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.

[HiVizMan]

Jambo wrote:
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.

I would only use the Asmeidia ports as a last resort, actually I disable them in bios. I much prefer the native Intel SATA ports and strongly suggest that you do so too.

[TigerNightmare]

Jambo, do you mean boot order? Because it will have to be after the RAID 10 for me. I heard that you can't even boot from the ASMedia, so ... do you mean not leaving port 1 empty if you only have one device? Your board is also a completely different model, so I really don't know if it applies here.

[Jambo]

Yes I appreciate, my board is different, I was just trying to tell you what I found as I had the same issue you had with the ASmedia ports. I agree with HiVizMan, the Intel ports would be better.

NO I do not mean the boot order, I agree I do not think you can boot from the ASmedia ports, but I haven't actually tried myself and yes I mean do not leave port 1 empty and use port 2 as your first ASmedia port in use.

[mostlyharmless]

Is this a common problem? I just tried plugging two different eSATA drives to the only two eSata ports available on my board, and neither is recognized. It'd be nice if something worked on this mobo. Guess I can spend more money on another SATA cable. Or another bios update. Or is there another solution other than RMA?

[wizz12345]

Hi I'm also having the same issue with the asmedia sata ports and have tried everything that has been suggested and still no luck, its important for me to have them all working is RMA my only option?

[ChiefZeke]

Asmedia 106x SATA drivers 2.0.9.1 are available at Station Drivers http://www.station-drivers.com/

[Vollstein]

R4E Mobo. ASAP cable that comes with the issue decided. No drivers are required. They speed again became worse. I checked in 7 and 8.1

[ChiefZeke]

asmedia_106x_sata6g_3.2.1.0_WHQL drivers are at Station Drivers: http://www.station-drivers.com/