Hi!

I have a P4C800 Deluxe motherboard that I am trying to setup as:

- 2 x 120GB SATA (software/OS RAID - not BIOS), will hold Mandriva 2006 install)
- 1 x 250GB PATA (old disk with LVM/ReiserFS
- 1 x 80GB PATA (old disk LVM/ReiserFS)

However, there are many settings in the BIOS and I don't know which one to use of:

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Compatible IDE mode:
Main > IDE Configuration > Onboard IDE Operate Mode = Compatible
Main > IDE Configuration > IDE Port Settings = [Primary P-ATA + S-ATA | Secondary P-ATA + S-ATA | P-ATA Ports only]

Enhanced IDE mode:
Main > IDE Configuration > Onboard IDE Operate Mode = Enhanced
Main > IDE Configuration > IDE Port Settings = [P-ATA+S-ATA | S-ATA | P-ATA]

Advanced > Onboard Devices Configuration > Onboard Promise Controller = [Enabled | Disabled]
Advanced > Onboard Devices Configuration > Onboard Promise Controller Enabled = [Operating Mode = IDE | RAID]
--------------------------------------------------------------------

The installer hanged when I tried:

Enhanced IDE mode Enabled with P-ATA + S-ATA
Advanced > Onboard Devices Configuration > Onboard Promise Controller = Enabled
Advanced > Onboard Devices Configuration > Onboard Promise Controller Enabled > Operating Mode = IDE

I don't want to mess up my drives with existing data, but I still want Mandriva to be able to recognize them after install.
I read the motherboard manual (page 49, dlsvr03.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/sock478/P4C800/e1286_p4c800.pdf) and the main question is whether Linux 2.6 / Mandriva 2006 is native or legacy with the Intel ICH5 specifications.

My questions:


1) what BIOS settings shall I use to be able to install Mandriva on my S-ATA disks and mount the P-ATA drives. I would like to be able to connect the maximum amount of disks (native).
2) can I use Grub with to boot of software-RAID (not BIOS) or must I use LILO?
3) Are there any other steps/things to take into consideration?


Would highly appreciate any feedback.

Regards,
Jimisola

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