SATA Promise FastTrak 378 horror
 

I recently bought a new pc:
ASUS K8V Deluxe SE
AMD64 3000+
512 mb ddr
120 Gb sata hd
Promise FastTrak 378 SATA controller

I wanted to install SuSE 9 AMD64 via a FTP connection. I downloaded and burned ../boot/boot.iso and wanted to load the linux modules before installing, but I cant find them on the iso. The boot.iso for the 32-bit suse 9 does have one. I tried to install the linux module of promise (update driver via disk) but it seems that this module is only for i386

I also wanted to install Mandrake 9.2 AMD64: Probing gave me my via-chipset and the promise fasttrak 378, exactly as I have... click on Next: An error occured, please check your hardware...
Also, the installation hangs when manually loading pdc-ultra module for the sata controller (just gave it a try)

I tried Mandrake 10.0beta amd64, and that just works fine(!) Problem is, I dont want to use that version, or I'll have to wait a bit longer till v10.0 is stable enough...

To be honest I'm a SuSE FAN... I really want to install SuSE 9.0 for amd64, but it dont seems to work on my sata drive... In the meantime I'll install it on a (p)ata drive, but I'm not pleased with this.
DOes anyone recognise this problem, or better...does anyone has a solution? Or do I have to wait for new versions and stuff?

greetz

This is a complete shot in the dark,

does, the drive need to be formatted or partitioned, or have some kind of software on it first before it is useable/readable?

Sounds like something a typical VIA based mobo would do ;)