Windows 7: HP DC5800 : no option for sata native mode???

guys
this is a common and good business machine: HP DC5800 SFF, processor E8400 dual core.
all I'm trying to do is make sure sata is in native mode before fresh install of Ultimate x64. I have two other older DC-series and don't have the same setup screens [at least not identical]. no issues with those.
the BIOS 786f2 v01.51.

anyone know if there is a hidden menu somewhere? if not, anyone know what the defaults are for sata devices? I'm stumped. in fact, I can't even find a real bios file on the normally-competent hp support site.... rather what I find are replication utilities. If I were to flash the bios I would need to do it via usb... but can't find a real bios file

any help would be appreciated. it shouldn't have come to this

If you have the Small Form Factor version, try this for a bios
HP Compaq dc5800 Small Form Factor PC*-* Download drivers and software - HP Business Support Center
For another form factor machine try here
HP Compaq dc5800 Small Form Factor PC*-* Download drivers and software - specify product name - HP Business Support Center

thanks for replying - that's where I've been. If you look at what's under those three entries, they all appear to be utilities to me. if there is a bios file cab'd inside one of the three sp*.exe's of that first entry, I can't tell it. there are no bios files referred to in any of the notes. zero/zip/zilch

this sad post http://h30499.www3.hp.com/t5/general...0/td-p/5344345
illustrates the problem: its been viewed almost a thousand times. no answers.
this is really uncharacteristic of hp.... usually its a five minute job at best. there is an ftp site for a whole boatload of hp thingies but so far I've not found a silo that gives each iteration of bios.

i'm going to figure out what the motherboard is and see if I can approach it that way.

i found a bios/setup entry for sata "transfer mode" and selected the maximum Ultra setting. I guess/hope that is their way of throttling/unthrottling full sata

I really don't know how HP does the bios. The release notes for the ME firmware is under bios, but recommends bios version 1.55. This file says version 1.55 but does not mention a .CAP file. That's the closest I can find from HP.
http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsupport...s&idx=0&mode=4&

yer a genius! that's what I have been looking for. how did you find it? was it one of the obscurities under that first link on the main page? I'm going to reboot now and flash it through setup

I Think I searched for bios version 1.55, I honestly searched with so many terms I don't remember which one found it. But, at least we got there. I wonder why they make bios updates so hard to find? But, we got there anyway. Thanks for the compliment, but I can assure you, I'm no genius. Even a blind squirrel will find an acorn once in a while.