XP does not see HDD when loading

[jagsouth]

I am trying to load XP onto a new computer. The BIOS see a hard drive but XP stops loading because it says it can't find a HDD. I have checked cables and power, both are good. Anyone tell me how to got OS to see the HDD?

 

[linney]

Did you format it?

Did you use the XP CD to do a format, or was it done with 9x fdisk and format?

HOW TO: Partition and Format a Hard Disk in Windows XP (Q313348)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q313/3/48.asp

Read the paragraph,
"How to Partition and Format Your Hard Disk by Using Windows XP Setup."

"""In the mobo Abit BE6-II, there are 4 IDE controllers : 2 ATA33 and 2 ATA66. Somehow , the WinXP setup program could not deal with this ATA66 rate in this particular mobo. I connected another flat cable for the ATA33 controller and the HD and it worked .
The obstacle is that even the BIOS fully supported this ATA66 mode, WinXP setup program could not do it."""

Is WinXP supporting UDMA66 in Mobo Abit BE6-II ?
thread779-368053

283421 - Error Message About Partition Appears When You Install Windows XP to a Dynamic Volume

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;283421&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

http://groups.google.com/groups?hl=...ecognize+hard+drive%22%2Bsetup%2Bwindows%2Bxp

 

[jagsouth]

Linney, I did neither one as this is a first for me. I would prefer to format from the XP disk. I'm going to read the MS documents you linked. I'll post something later after reading, etc. Thanks.

 

[jagsouth]

There is no reformatting with XP until it sees a hard drive This is a used HD; could that be the problem? The Bios sees it but not the OS. Also, what would make the floppy light stay on green? The CDRW seems to work fine.

 

[penauroth]

Are you using a SCSI or IDE controller? If you are using the former some motherboards require you to disable the primary and secondary masters and slaves.

Paul

 

[linney]

Sounds like your floppy might be connected incorrectly.

http://www.computing.net/windows95/wwwboard/forum/140267.html

Perhaps the same applies to the hard drive.

 

[TekKnowGeek]

I have seen this occurr when an XP image has been added to another partition. The operating system, although booting OK cannot find its operating environment. It seems to me that you may have an original boot partition but your OS is stored elsewhere.
I have resolved this problem in the past by making changes to the famous boot.ini file.
For example:
[boot loader]
timeout=1
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="--RAID(0)-- Microsoft Windows 2000 Pro part(1)"
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINNT="--RAID(0)-- Microsoft Windows 2000 Pro part(2)"
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINNT="--RAID(0)-- Microsoft Windows 2000 Pro part(3)"
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="--RAID(0)-- Microsoft Windows XP Professional part(1)"
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="--RAID(0)-- Microsoft Windows XP Professional part(2)"
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(3)\WINDOWS="--RAID(0)-- Microsoft Windows XP Professional part(3)"

Notice how i modify the partition integer to reflect the location of the OS. This will enable you to select the correct partition.

Hope this helped.

Life is a journey to death

 

[jagsouth]

It was only that the Western Digital HD should have had the jumper setting to CS rather than master. Did the change and bingo...we were off to the races! Thanks to all for the education and info. It pays to check out the HD site for details.