first post, so hello there

recently installed redhat 9 for the first time, due to me doing part of my university course on linux.
took several installs to finally work out that redhat doesnt seem to like booting from a drive attached to my highpoint raid controller. (note: i have no raid array, im simply using the controller as extra ide channels)
what i would like to do is get redhat to 'see' the drives attached to this controller, as there are some files i would like to get off one of the drives (and my music is stored on there too )
the other thing is that my windows xp install is now on a drive attached to this controller.
quick rundown of how my devices are connected:

ide1 = 40gig ibm drive (linux install)
ide2 = cdrw/dvd drives
raid controller
ide3 = 80gig wd drive (windows xp install)
ide4 = 40gig maxtor drive (files i want to get hold of in linux)

i found the redhat9 driver for the controller, but being a complete newbie to linux, ive no idea how to install it, and the install guide that was included confuses the hell out of me

id appreciate any help on getting linux to recognise the drives, and configuring GRUB to boot windows; currently i have to change the boot sequence in bios to choose which o/s to boot

thanks in advance