XP Pro install - round in circles!

Nutcase · 13-06-2009, 11:25

Aaargh!!!!

Ok, trying to do an install of XP Pro OEM. Problem is, setup keeps telling me that there is no hard drive available.

Only thing I can think of is that the drive that is there (boots fine...) has 2k server on it, and as XP is OEM it ignores it?

Wondering how I can format it!

Dymetrie · 13-06-2009, 11:32

Is it a SATA drive?

If so then you'll need a boot disk for it or XP won't see that it's there.

Nutcase · 13-06-2009, 11:35

Sorry no. IDE. Tried it on onboard controller and an ATA133 adapter card (although when you press f6 to load additional drivers it wants a floppy drive to do it. What's one of those???

The BIOS all sees the drive fine in either case???

Glaucus · 13-06-2009, 11:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dymetrie

Is it a SATA drive?

If so then you'll need a boot disk for it or XP won't see that it's there.

More than likely this. either use a driver disk or slipsteam the sata drivers on. using nlite or what ever it's called.

you don't now what a floppy drive is
?

Is the jumper set to primary drive and on the primary connection on the ide cable and if you have any 2nd drives are they set to slave and on the slave ide cable connection.

Nutcase · 13-06-2009, 11:58

Course I know what a floppy is

Just not had to use one in years (Including installing XP Pro...)

Dunketh · 13-06-2009, 17:09

Check your BIOS settings also, you should be able to change from IDE/RAID/AHCI - If you put it on IDE it should work.

Nutcase · 13-06-2009, 17:59

Folks, the drive is seen by the bios, works fine etc.

It's not a RAID board, it's just a basic motherboard. I can't see why it doesn't work

Mark · 13-06-2009, 18:53

Break out a recent Linux LiveCD and see if that spots it.

Also, if the controller is in any way exotic (e.g. onboard JMicron controllers on even semi-recent motherboards) then XP doesn't stand a chance. You'll need to slipstream the appropriate driver into the XP install.

Nutcase · 13-06-2009, 22:30

Nothing exotic about it at all. Just an Intel 850EMV board. Quite old now, have installed XP using it loads of times...

Will try some kind of boot disc, but I really don't understand what windows' problem is. Killerdisc'ed it earlier to get rid of 2k and it still doesn't see it.

Bloody annoying

Nutcase · 13-06-2009, 22:40

Thought I'd try it once more while trying to find a standalone linux thingy. Works now. WTF?????

I hate computers sometimes...

Thanks for the help peeps

13-06-2009, 11:25	#1
Nutcase Moonshine Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chelmsford, innit! Posts: 3,979	XP Pro install - round in circles! Aaargh!!!! Ok, trying to do an install of XP Pro OEM. Problem is, setup keeps telling me that there is no hard drive available. Only thing I can think of is that the drive that is there (boots fine...) has 2k server on it, and as XP is OEM it ignores it? Wondering how I can format it!

13-06-2009, 11:32	#2
Dymetrie A large glass of Merlot Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Letchworth with a Lightsaber Posts: 5,819	Is it a SATA drive? If so then you'll need a boot disk for it or XP won't see that it's there. __________________ Khef, Ka and Ka-Tet....

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13-06-2009, 11:35	#3
Nutcase Moonshine Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chelmsford, innit! Posts: 3,979	Sorry no. IDE. Tried it on onboard controller and an ATA133 adapter card (although when you press f6 to load additional drivers it wants a floppy drive to do it. What's one of those??? The BIOS all sees the drive fine in either case???

13-06-2009, 11:58	#5
Nutcase Moonshine Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chelmsford, innit! Posts: 3,979	Course I know what a floppy is Just not had to use one in years (Including installing XP Pro...)

13-06-2009, 17:09	#6
Dunketh Long Island Iced Tea Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 178	Check your BIOS settings also, you should be able to change from IDE/RAID/AHCI - If you put it on IDE it should work.

13-06-2009, 17:59	#7
Nutcase Moonshine Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chelmsford, innit! Posts: 3,979	Folks, the drive is seen by the bios, works fine etc. It's not a RAID board, it's just a basic motherboard. I can't see why it doesn't work

13-06-2009, 18:53	#8
Mark Screaming Orgasm Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Newbury Posts: 15,194	Break out a recent Linux LiveCD and see if that spots it. Also, if the controller is in any way exotic (e.g. onboard JMicron controllers on even semi-recent motherboards) then XP doesn't stand a chance. You'll need to slipstream the appropriate driver into the XP install.

13-06-2009, 22:30	#9
Nutcase Moonshine Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chelmsford, innit! Posts: 3,979	Nothing exotic about it at all. Just an Intel 850EMV board. Quite old now, have installed XP using it loads of times... Will try some kind of boot disc, but I really don't understand what windows' problem is. Killerdisc'ed it earlier to get rid of 2k and it still doesn't see it. Bloody annoying

13-06-2009, 22:40	#10
Nutcase Moonshine Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Chelmsford, innit! Posts: 3,979	Thought I'd try it once more while trying to find a standalone linux thingy. Works now. WTF????? I hate computers sometimes... Thanks for the help peeps