This could be the key :
"The BIOS sees the drive and configures itself in "Auto" to agree with Seagate's Tech data. "
Some of the older BIOSii have a problem with the AUTO and they fake it. The best way is to say "NONE" or MANUAL at that screen and then go over to the Disk Identification Page and do a manual pull on the drive. Select the option when offered that agrees with the known cyl/sector count. This will then hard copy the disk params to the first screen.
Sorry to be vague but I don't know which brand of BIOS you are on. It may be that you have a system later than the one I am thinking of - in which case ignore all before. Worth a thought though. I have lost some hair over this problem in the recent past doing an upgrade on an old box.
MG