I have Windows on my Raptor, but PC will only boot to Windows if I change the hard disk priority in BIOS so that the Maxtor is first. This is then set as C: in Windows, with the Raptor set as D. If I don't set this, or I unplug the Maxtor completely, I get "Disk boot error" (or something similar). I've tried changing around which SATA ports go to which disk, but nothing changes. I don't think that's the issue anyway as it did it on other mobo's. I'd like to get rid of the Maxtor as I've just ordered 2 1TB drives but I can't if my PC won't boot.

More recently I've developed another boot issue...
Sometimes when I try to load Windows I keep getting the "missing or corrupt hal.dll", and the only way Windows will boot is if I set the 1st boot device as CD-ROM, and have the Windows disc in the drive, let it spin up but then don't press anything so it goes on to boot from the hard disk.

Can anyone help me with these issues?

hello and welcome to PC Help Forum,
Firstly I appoligies for the delay in answering your thread.

Try this for HAL.DLL is missing.Windows XP Setup - Missing HAL.DLL

Let me now get you some links on the HDD issues,I think you have not set them up correctly.

Here read these they are sure to help you?

Seagate Technology - How To Install and Troubleshoot Serial ATA (SATA) Hard Drives

Seagate Technology - Serial ATA Jumpers and Cabling

Seagate Technology - Serial ATA (SATA) Troubleshooter

Set BIOS to auto detect HDDs.

Seagate Technology - Downloads