[comp.sys.ibm.pc] ARC mainboard & HD problem

battle@umbc3.UMBC.EDU (Rick) (09/11/89)

I am posting this for a friend who has no access to the net.
 
PC system problem:   Won't boot properly from HD
 
Configuration:
 
ARC 10 Mhz XT motherboard  with 512K
WDX-GEN Western Digital controller
ST251-1 controller
Two 3 1/2 720K floppies
Hercules mono
2 serial, 1 parallel
 
The problem:
 
The PC will not boot at all at 10 Mhz.  At 4.77 Mhz is will boot
v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y from the ST-251-1.  After the boot the system
runs fine.  Boots fine from floppy.
 
Corrective action already taken:
 
1. Replace ARC BIOS with Phoenix BIOS, same results
 
2. Remove floppy controller looking for interrupt contention,
same results.
 
3. Low level format the disk with Disk Manager, same results.
 
4. Format disk in different machine with different controller,
works fine, boots fine.
 
 
 
HELP!!!  Anybody know anything about ARC motherboards and this
configuration?   ANY SUGGESTIONS????????
 
 
Thanks many.