Here is my working 486 config files

Post link:
Re: 486 Multimedia dream build ( 1993/94 ).

I took a quick look and at first glance I would risk say that it appears that some CD-ROM cables got disconnected somehow. I would try reattaching those and boot again to test. It even makes sense since you say it was previously working with those same startup files.

Interesting detail:

when I change the jumper to SLAVE and connect the IDE cable from the HDD it works (with the same settings).
Second IDE master is not working: I tried three different cables now.

=> Same issue with Oak CDROM driver.

Is the second IDE master deactivated in BIOS or any other settings needed?

From the Gigabyte manual:

IDE PORTS
- 2 Enhanced IDE channels on board.(Using IRQ14,15)
- Support Mode 3 IDE & ATAPI CD-ROM.
- Driver Support DOS, WINDOWS, OS/2, NT, Novell.

The secondary IDE controller is usually on IRQ 15. Remove the "/P:1F0,14" part from CONGIG.SYS and see if that works.

Check your bios if the second ide channel is turned on.

Dorunkāku wrote on 2024-09-15, 17:24:

The secondary IDE controller is usually on IRQ 15. Remove the "/P:1F0,14" part from CONGIG.SYS and see if that works.

No change.

ux-3 wrote on 2024-09-15, 17:29:

Check your bios if the second ide channel is turned on.

Where? Was not able to find the option.

leon22 wrote on 2024-09-15, 17:32:

Where? Was not able to find the option.

We don't really know your configuration. Sounds like you use onboard IDE? Or the sound card?

If you use onboard, go through all your bios screens and look for IDE controller options.

ux-3 wrote on 2024-09-15, 17:35:

leon22 wrote on 2024-09-15, 17:32:

Where? Was not able to find the option.

We don't really know your configuration. Sounds like you use onboard IDE? Or the sound card?

If you use onboard, go through all your bios screens and look for IDE controller options.

FIrst post:

486PC with Gigabyte GA-486AM mainboard (latest BIOS) & MS-DOS 6.22
So it's an Award BIOS (Nov 7, 1995 REV.A)

IRQ's:

Move the HDD to second and see if it works.

I don't see your sound card in that IRQ list. Is the IDE port on the sound card disabled (if it has one?)

ux-3 wrote on 2024-09-15, 19:32:

I don't see your sound card in that IRQ list. Is the IDE port on the sound card disabled (if it has one?)

OP mentioned it in the HWiNFO thread: CT4170 (ViBRA 16), which has no IDE on the sound card.

@leon22: Is your CT4170 working fine even without being detected by HWiNFO?

dormcat wrote on 2024-09-16, 00:31:

ux-3 wrote on 2024-09-15, 19:32:

I don't see your sound card in that IRQ list. Is the IDE port on the sound card disabled (if it has one?)

OP mentioned it in the HWiNFO thread: CT4170 (ViBRA 16), which has no IDE on the sound card.

@leon22: Is your CT4170 working fine even without being detected by HWiNFO?

The CT4170 is working fine. Debug file is attached to the HWInfo thread now.

Does the HDD work on IDE2 ?
Does the CD work on IDE2 as slave to HDD or as slave alone?

ux-3 wrote on 2024-09-16, 15:44:

Does the HDD work on IDE2 ?
Does the CD work on IDE2 as slave to HDD or as slave alone?

The HDD was recognized by the BIOS Auto Detection but was not able to boot MS-DOS:

"DISK BOOT FAILURE, INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER"

The difference is that for the Sec. Master Disk no LBA is shown: "CHS, 8147MB" instead of "LBA, 8147MB"

Dorunkāku wrote on 2024-09-15, 17:24:

The secondary IDE controller is usually on IRQ 15. Remove the "/P:1F0,14" part from CONGIG.SYS and see if that works.

It's not only on IRQ 15, but generally uses port 170. So, if connected to the secondary IDE controller, replace /P:1F0,14 with /P170,15.

On SOME CD-ROM drivers, they may try at least a handful of common port/IRQ combinations, but you do better to use the specific port/IRQ combination.

Until the CD-ROM driver detects the drive, don't worry much that the network redirector (mscdex.exe) can't assign a letter to the drive.

leon22 wrote on 2024-09-16, 19:39:

The HDD was recognized by the BIOS Auto Detection but was not able to boot MS-DOS:

"DISK BOOT FAILURE, INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER"

The difference is that for the Sec. Master Disk no LBA is shown: "CHS, 8147MB" instead of "LBA, 8147MB"

You need to use the same addressing mode (Cylinder/Head/Sector (CHS) vs. Logical Block Addressing (LBA)) as that does make a difference when trying to locate the boot microcode. The files may all be accessible in either mode but booting might not work.

AlaricD wrote on 2024-09-16, 21:50:

leon22 wrote on 2024-09-16, 19:39:

The HDD was recognized by the BIOS Auto Detection but was not able to boot MS-DOS:

"DISK BOOT FAILURE, INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER"

The difference is that for the Sec. Master Disk no LBA is shown: "CHS, 8147MB" instead of "LBA, 8147MB"

You need to use the same addressing mode (Cylinder/Head/Sector (CHS) vs. Logical Block Addressing (LBA)) as that does make a difference when trying to locate the boot microcode. The files may all be accessible in either mode but booting might not work.

It is, but as I said with the second IDE slot I got no LBA although the settings are the same. Maybe the 2nd IDE controller has some issues?
Is there a test tool or hardware around to see if the controller works as intended?

Thank you!

My 486 only support HDD on the first IDE. Second IDE is CDR only.

ux-3 wrote on 2024-09-29, 12:32:

My 486 only support HDD on the first IDE. Second IDE is CDR only.

What is the motherboard or multicard?