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Ferrari 4000 HDD upgrade problem

post #1 of 12
10/22/09 at 10:16pm
Thread Starter 
Hello

I have a Acer Ferrari 4000 AMD Turion 64 2GHz, and I'm trying to upgrade the internal HDD to an SDD drive (IDE interface) - it's a Photofast G-Monster-IDE SSD 90R/70W 128GB

The drive is working OK - I have conneceted it to the machine via a USB adapter, and partitioned it with no problem, I've also cloned the existing HDD onto the SSD with clonezilla.

But when I put it in the laptop it won't get past the initial splash page with "press F2 for setup" prompt and nothing happens. If I press F2 to enter the Bios, it just says "please wait" and never enters the bios configuration.

The bios version is S3A27

If anyone can provide advice or assistance I would be most grateful.

Thanks
LR
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post #2 of 12
10/22/09 at 10:36pm
check for an updated firmware for the SSD. I would also say check for an updated bios that unit is probably not being supported anymore.

the bios is hanging because if cannot recognize an IDE device, in this case the SSD.
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post #3 of 12
10/23/09 at 12:39am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for your reply.

The laptop bios is the most recent one, as far as I know - I downloaded it and installed it yesterday.

The shop I bought the SSD from said that the recent (SATA) SSDs would not work with this laptop since it's 4 years old, but the old IDE would. It looks like the same interface/connection as the old HDD I took out, though I guess that doesn't mean much.

I'll check about firmware for the SSD.

In the meantime, any further advice/comments, much appreciated.

LR
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post #4 of 12
10/23/09 at 6:15am
You probably need to scoop up a SATA driver and slipstream it onto the installation disk first.

cheers ...
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post #5 of 12
10/24/09 at 5:31am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by qhn View Post
You probably need to scoop up a SATA driver and slipstream it onto the installation disk first.

cheers ...
Thanks. but can you explain what you mean ? First, there is no installation disc - surely this is an issue of compatibility at the laptop bios<--->SSD firmware level ? And second since this is not an SATA drive, nor does the laptop have an SATA interface, I don't understand what you mean about that either.

I have verified that the laptop bios is the most recent one. I have also been in touch with the SSD manufacturer who said they had not tested their drives with this model laptop so they can't comment on the compatibility, but they did say there is no firmware upgrade available or the unit.

Also, I went to a specialist repair centre, where they also tried to install it - without success - but they were able to install other brands (Kingston) and a CF->IDE with no problem. The shop where I bought the unit will not give a refund, since it works fine in other laptops and when fitted as an external drive, so I'm very frustrated about what to do now. the laptop cannot be booted from an external USB drive either so that is not an option.

Any suggestions ?

Thanks
LR
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post #6 of 12
10/24/09 at 7:54am

New BIOS?

Hi.LR

Haven't you ever try Bios update software at Esupport.com?

URL is here. ttp://biosagentplus.com

You may find the new BIOS.

However, scan is free and download is not free.
Also, it's unofficial, at your own risk.
Anyway, it's at least worth a try!
　
Have a nice weekend.

Orrz
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post #7 of 12
10/24/09 at 10:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by longrob View Post
Thanks. but can you explain what you mean ? First, there is no installation disc - surely this is an issue of compatibility at the laptop bios<--->SSD firmware level ? And second since this is not an SATA drive, nor does the laptop have an SATA interface, I don't understand what you mean about that either.

...
My bad here.

cheers ...
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post #8 of 12
11/4/09 at 12:21am
Thread Starter 
The SSD manufacturer (local agent) took my laptop for a few days. Unfortunately they said they don't have any solution to make it work.

They have suggested instead that they replace it with a PCI Express SSD.

Does anyone here know if the Ferrari 4000 series is bootable from PCI express ?
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post #9 of 12
11/4/09 at 10:01am
nope, won't work.

might want to look into a different SSD manufacturer.
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post #10 of 12
11/4/09 at 11:30am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by MichelleG View Post
nope, won't work.

might want to look into a different SSD manufacturer.
Thanks. Do you have a recommendation ?
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post #11 of 12
11/4/09 at 7:12pm
Would something like this work?
- Transcend

http://www.amazon.com/Transcend-32GB.../dp/B000T9QRKE

cheers ...
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post #12 of 12
3/1/12 at 5:00pm

Hello Longrob;

 

I was wandering if you ever solved your SSD and Ferrari laptop instllation issue?

 

I've wanted to upgrade my Ferrari 4000 laptop machine to a SSD drive as I love this machine itself.

I have a Mac Air and a desktop machine and the SSD drive is the way to go.

 

Let me know if you found a solution,

 

Thanks...

 

Kevin...

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