28 Jul 11
4 edits
Originally posted by jimslyp69You have to go to the bios and verify. There are 4 channels so make sure they are all enabled.
Well Windows setup 'sees' the drive. It just says that it is not compatible with XP. I can delete and crate a prtition on it too. This tells me that the port is enabled. I think...
So you have a new drive and are trying to install XP on it?
One experiment you could try is to put in an old drive, an 80 or 120 gb, anything, then try to load windows on that. Not the full deal, just enough to verify it will work with a Pata drive. There might be something wrong with your XP disk.
Another thing to try if you want, find another brand of Sata drive, borrow one or something, try loading windows into that one. Maybe there is a problem with your drive.
Also, make sure the power and data plugs are fully engaged. That can screw up any drive.
but first go to bios and verify the sata channels are all enabled. If they are ALL enabled, you won't have problems on that score.
And if you do, try another Sata drive data slot, that might help too.
28 Jul 11
Originally posted by sonhouseHello again. I can see the drive in disk management and my computer. I can write files to it, format it and such like. I have looked in BIOS but there aren't four SATA channels in there. THe two SATA inputs are mentioned. One has the drive auto detected and the other, SATA 2, says none detected.
You have to go to the bios and verify. There are 4 channels so make sure they are all enabled.
So you have a new drive and are trying to install XP on it?
One experiment you could try is to put in an old drive, an 80 or 120 gb, anything, then try to load windows on that. Not the full deal, just enough to verify it will work with a Pata drive. There mi ...[text shortened]... roblems on that score.
And if you do, try another Sata drive data slot, that might help too.
Idoubt very much that there is anything with the windows disk. I have installed it on the IDE drive in my PC no problems.
28 Jul 11
1 edit
Originally posted by jimslyp69Just for grins, try the other Sata slot. Check the bios again, see if chan 2 is auto detected and chan 1 says no drive.
Hello again. I can see the drive in disk management and my computer. I can write files to it, format it and such like. I have looked in BIOS but there aren't four SATA channels in there. THe two SATA inputs are mentioned. One has the drive auto detected and the other, SATA 2, says none detected.
Idoubt very much that there is anything with the windows disk. I have installed it on the IDE drive in my PC no problems.
When you say you can write and read to the drive, is that on another computer that already has XP installed? If you have a whole other comp to play with, see if that MB will accept the Sata as a recognized drive. If it works on one MB and not on the other, maybe a problem with the MB. Do you have an old IDE drive to stick on the MB that doesn't accept the Sata drive? Just as a troubleshooting aid to see if XP likes that drive.
28 Jul 11
Originally posted by jimslyp69What? I don't get it. You can write to this drive, even format it, but just can't install Windows on it?
Hello again. I can see the drive in disk management and my computer. I can write files to it, format it and such like. I have looked in BIOS but there aren't four SATA channels in there. THe two SATA inputs are mentioned. One has the drive auto detected and the other, SATA 2, says none detected.
Idoubt very much that there is anything with the windows disk. I have installed it on the IDE drive in my PC no problems.
28 Jul 11
Originally posted by sonhouseHowdy
Just for grins, try the other Sata slot. Check the bios again, see if chan 2 is auto detected and chan 1 says no drive.
When you say you can write and read to the drive, is that on another computer that already has XP installed? If you have a whole other comp to play with, see if that MB will accept the Sata as a recognized drive. If it works on one MB ...[text shortened]... hat doesn't accept the Sata drive? Just as a troubleshooting aid to see if XP likes that drive.
Both my IDE drives and my SATA drive are in the same PC. I will try the other SATA port though, not sure what it will achieve though,..
28 Jul 11
1 edit
Originally posted by jimslyp69If there's a firmware or driver problem, then you wouldn't be able to access the drive.
That is correct sir. The mind boggles. I still have an inkling that it is a SATA controller though. Perhaps.
When installing, did you delete any current partition, recreate one and then format and install? Or did you try to install on the current partition?
28 Jul 11
1 edit
Originally posted by CrowleyWithin Windows, I can do what I like with it. When attempting windows install, with other IDE drives in, it lets me delete and create partitions. These are then shown as 'raw'. No option to format at this part of the process as you have to press 'enter' to install windows on selected partition. As soon as you do this, it comes up with the blurb about it not being compatible with windows XP. You can't proceed with the normal process which would then to format the drive.
If there's a firmware or driver problem, then you wouldn't be able to access the drive.
When installing, did you delete any current partition, recreate one and then format and install?
If the SATA drive is in the PC on its own, then it doesn't even show any drives at all. It just comes up with the blurb about there being no Windows XP compatible drives installed.
Flipping bizarre.
PS I've tried to install Windows on the drive previously formatted on NTFS and also on the recreated partition created during set up.
28 Jul 11
Originally posted by jimslyp69No. You said earlier you installed it on the IDE? OEM licences might give you problems when trying to activate, but shouldn't at install.
Just one thing, the Windows version is 'OEM'. For distribution with a new DELL PC. Do you think that this might have something to do with it?
28 Jul 11
Originally posted by jimslyp69Is there no option to create a partition after deleting the partition(s) here? You can't install if there is no partition for Windows installer to format...
Within Windows, I can do what I like with it. When attempting windows install, with other IDE drives in, it lets me delete and create partitions. These are then shown as 'raw'. No option to format at this part of the process as you have to press 'enter' to install windows on selected partition. As soon as you do this, it comes up with the blurb about it no ...[text shortened]... e previously formatted on NTFS and also on the recreated partition created during set up.
28 Jul 11
Originally posted by CrowleyYou can create a partition but not format it. You can select the unformatted partition for install which it will not allow. However, if you log into windows and create a partition and format it in NTFS FAT32 or whatever, it still will not let you install on said partition, even though it recognises the formatted file system, be it NTFS or whatever.
Is there no option to create a partition after deleting the partition(s) here? You can't install if there is no partition for Windows installer to format...
I'm starting to think that LINUX would be easier than this.
28 Jul 11
2 edits
Originally posted by CrowleyThat is not strictly true and is probably the problem, the OEM version will deliberately be tailored for the machine it is going into to prevent possible piracy.
No. You said earlier you installed it on the IDE? OEM licences might give you problems when trying to activate, but shouldn't at install.
A good way to confirm all the hardware would be to try and install a free version of Linux (Ubuntu would be a good all rounder with plenty of drivers), this would then isolate the problem to the OS disk.
But my money is on Dell messing with the OS.
Another option would be selecting "install additional drivers" at the start of the clean XP install, F6 I think it is (I could be wrong it has been a while since I did a clean install of XP).
Edit: I should add that not all manufactures opted for conditioning the OEM, but Dell, HP and E-Machines most definitely did (I worked on it).
Edit: You could also try "Ghosting" an image onto it, if you have the patience.
29 Jul 11
Originally posted by WoodgieBy that you mean copying the OS disk bit by bit and it is all on the HD?
That is not strictly true and is probably the problem, the OEM version will deliberately be tailored for the machine it is going into to prevent possible piracy.
A good way to confirm all the hardware would be to try and install a free version of Linux (Ubuntu would be a good all rounder with plenty of drivers), this would then isolate the problem to the ...[text shortened]... d on it).
Edit: You could also try "Ghosting" an image onto it, if you have the patience.