I installed a PATA and SATA hard drive on my computer but XP Pro only reconizes the PATA. The PATA is my primary master and SATA should be slave but it doesn't show on XP Pro. The bios shows it's there but as third master (my two DVD's are Second master and slave). I would like two make the SATA a primary slave.

The PATA is my primary master and SATA should be slave but it doesn't show on XP Pro. The bios shows its there but as third master.

SATA drives are arranged one device per cable. There is no concept of slave. The PATA/SATA controller boot order can usually be adjusted in the BIOS. Since the drive is seen by the BIOS but not Windows, first check that the drivers for your SATA motherboard/add-in controller are installed and that the drive has been properly partitioned and given a drive letter in Disk Management.

SATA drives are arranged one device per cable. There is no concept of slave. The PATA/SATA controller boot order can usually be adjusted in the BIOS. Since the drive is seen by the BIOS but not Windows, first check that the drivers for your SATA motherboard/add-in controller are installed and that the drive has been properly partitioned and given a drive letter in Disk Management.


Thank you that is exactly what the problem is. But now I'm having a hard time finding those drivers.

Thank you that is exactly what the problem is. But now I'm having a hard time finding those drivers.

What's your motherboard brand and model? For onboard controllers, the driver is usually included in the chipset driver package for the motherboard or as a second driver in addition to the chipset driver. For discrete controllers cards, the controller manufacturer would provide the driver.