Problems installing new hard disk - help!

[NoelMG]

I'm having major problems installing a new hard disk.

Basically I currently have a 30GB that I want to use as a second hard disk, replacing the main disk with an 80GB that we have bought. I used the "Data Lifeguard" package after I had fitted the disk, it came up automatically. However, an error happened half way through.

I have set the old disk as the slave and the new as the master, on the jumpers and on the cable. However, Windows will not install (when it gets to the end of the DOS part of the installation it just reboots and starts the installation again, rather than resume) and it will not pick up the second disk (neither will the data lifeguard program).

I cannot get into Windows at all on either disk, and I'm worried that I've formatted both disks (not too much of a problem if I have, but in which case how do I clear both disks and start afresh?)

I am really struggling and would really appreciate some help as I've been trying to do this for two days solid without success!

Thanks in anticipation,
Noel.

 

[wolluf]

So you have the data lifeguard tools which enable you to clone old drive to new - is that what you were trying to do?

Questions.

Does your bios correctly see the whole 80GB drive (on POST screen)?

What happens if you try to boot with just old drive connected? (you said windows not working, but do you get 'insert system disk' messages or what?

How are you installing windows (booting from install Cd?) and which version? (XP?)

Have you tried just installing windows on new drive with old drive disconnected?

(You don't need Data Lifeguard if just installing windows - only need that to copy old to new).

As you can see, not too clear what you've done, so if you can give more info, we may be able to help.

 

[NoelMG]

Hi,

Thanks for your reply.

The BIOS is seeing the first 32GB of the drive, the tools told me that was normal as it can't handle more than 32GB, there is some sort of driver for the rest.

If I try with just the old drive connected, it tries to network boot the machine, then reboots.

I'm installing Windows XP Pro from an install CD. I'm trying to boot to the CD. It gets to 60% and says it can't install oembios.bin, and then gets further along and it can't install two .swf files.

I've tried doing it on the new drive with the old one disconnected, I figured this might be a way round it but still does the same.

I was using Data Lifeguard to format and prepare the disk for use, but I'm not copying anything over so basically I think I need to prepare the disks to be used somehow not using the data lifeguard tools, but Windows doesn't install so not sure if I'm doing it right!

Thanks for your help,
Noel.

 

[wolluf]

Noel,

If bios only seeing first 32GB of drive, then data lifeguard will have installed overlay software to overcome this limitation (overlay software is not a good idea - usually causes problems sooner or later). Suggestions:-

Check for a bios upgrade for your motherboard. There may be one which will enable it to see up to 128GB - so would see your drive ok. You'll obviously need to know your motherboard make/model to do this -

http://www.lavalys.com/products/overview.php?pid=1&lang=en&pageid=1

should help here (may even give you a link to page with bios update).

If no update, you could buy a PCI controller card to connect new drive to (which will see the full 80GB).

In either case you will need to remove the overlay software data lifeguard has installed. I don't know if DL has uninstall option, but if not, I think writing a new master boot record will do it (boot from win98 boot floppy -

http://www.bootdisk.com

if you need one - and run fdisk /mbr - assuming your new disk is only drive connected). Then just start install by booting XP install CD and use its partitioning tools to create partition. If you use the PCI card, you'll need to press F6 near start of install and then supply drivers for PCI card when prompted.

(this is all on the assumption the overlay software is causing the problem with XP - it could also be bad hardware of some kind)

 

[micker377]

Can you update the BIOS to use larger hard drives? I don't know if XP will install on "overlay" hard drives. I remember (in the old days) when you used "disk compression", you had to leave an un-compressed partition to run certain programs.