1. You are viewing our forum as a guest. For full access please Register. WindowsBBS.com is completely free, paid for by advertisers and donations.

Reinstalling windows xp doesn't detect hard drive

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by karkusz, 2009/09/18.

  1. 2009/09/18
    karkusz

    karkusz Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2009/09/18
    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    When I try to reinstall windows xp due to a windows police pro virus, the xp installation cd will not recognize my hard drive. When I run diagnostics its still there, and says everything is fine, or passes. I have gotten all of the information of of my hard drive through another computer, but I would like to start over on this one, just cant do it. any suggestions/solutions.
     
    karkusz,
    #1
  2. 2009/09/18
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    Welcome to WindowsBBS :)

    We encourage all members to complete their System Specifications which help us to help you :)

    My guess is that you have a SATA drive and need to check that SATA drivers need to be loaded by hitting F6 on the second blue instal screen. Later on in the install process you will be asked to insert a floppy with the SATA drivers on it - if you don't have a floppy see the workaround here .....

    Install Windows XP on SATA without a Floppy (F6)

    Here are my notes on installing Windows when Windows is already installed on the hard drive ......
     
    PeteC,
    #2


  3. to hide this advert.

  4. 2009/09/19
    karkusz

    karkusz Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2009/09/18
    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    How do I download the drivers? The page that you sent me to has great information, but all of the driver sites are for programs that I do not need. I have the driver disk that came with my computer, but when I get to the section of the install to load the drivers the enter button will not continue the process its just stays there. I understand that I am going to make a new windows cd with the drivers on it, but I cannot download the appropriate ones because I don't know how to find them, and The first one I believed to be correct ended up being a program called "driver detective ". I do not want to update drivers on my new computer, I just want the appropriate ones for my old computer.

    thanks
     
    karkusz,
    #3
  5. 2009/09/19
    karkusz

    karkusz Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2009/09/18
    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    nevermind found the drivers on dells website. trying the nlite now
     
    karkusz,
    #4
  6. 2009/09/19
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    You can download the drivers you require from the motherboard manufacturer's site, but would you please confirm that the computer to which you are trying to load XP has a SATA drive. I made that assumption based on the info you posted.

    FYI a SATA drive is connected to the motherboard with a small flat cable - an EIDE (PATA) drive with a large flat ribbon cable.
     
    PeteC,
    #5
  7. 2009/09/19
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    OK - you posted while I was composing :)
     
    PeteC,
    #6
  8. 2009/09/19
    karkusz

    karkusz Inactive Thread Starter

    Joined:
    2009/09/18
    Messages:
    4
    Likes Received:
    0
    sorry for the question before trying to figure it out myself. I downloaded the drivers from dells site, but the nlite program will not recognize said drivers when I try to integrate them. Any suggestions? there were two different drivers at the site. i downloaded both but to no avail.
     
    karkusz,
    #7
  9. 2009/09/19
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

    Joined:
    2002/05/10
    Messages:
    28,896
    Likes Received:
    389
    Not a this time of night :) Off to bed now and out all day tomorrow.

    I'll have to read through that article tomorrow pm - never used it as I have always had a floppy drive up to this current build which runs Windows 7, which has the drivers incorporated.

    Post the URL of the download page - it might be helpful.

    BTW - were the files you downloaded .exe's - they may well be self extracting compressed (zipped) files and need to be run to unpack the contents.
     
    PeteC,
    #8

Share This Page

  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
    Accept Learn More...