XP can't recognize hard drive for OS install [Solved/Closed]

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XP can't recognize hard drive for OS install [Solved/Closed]

Calabrel - Nov 20, 2008 at 10:36 AM - Latest reply: rick - Jan 17, 2019 at 07:28 PM

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Hello,

I am aware of the AHCI/SATA problem. Unfortunately for me, the laptop I'm working with has Phoenix BIOS, which doesn't allow me to alter any advanced BIOS options, including disabling AHCI. So I'm stuck without the ability to install XP on my new hard drive. If anyone has any suggestions or answers, it'd be much appreciated. Thank you in advance.

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17 replies

Report Respond to Jdun

Jdun Jul 30, 2009 at 03:03 PM

82

Thank you

For those of you that have Aspire One (netbook) and window XP installer could not find HD problem.

You must switch the SATA Mode (BIOS) to IDE from AHCI.

Hit F2 at boot screen -> Main -> SATA Mode -> IDE

This will allow Window XP to see your SATA.

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Pete - Jul 31, 2009 at 12:22 AM

how about those of us, whose laptops dont have any sata/ide menu options?

i have a toshiba satellite A205-s5000 laptop, which has VERY BASIC bios options, and none of those which u mentioned.

i also want to install xp on a vista laptop, n I also keep gettin the "cant find hard drive" error.

help?

Report

Wade - May 21, 2010 at 09:30 PM

Switching to IDE just freezes my boot.

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JohnMaroto - Jun 17, 2010 at 09:36 PM

I have a Acer Aspire One, but the Bios has the "InsydeH20 Setup Utility, and "Main", has only the following options:

System TIme
System Date

Total Memory
Video Memory

Quick Boot
Network Boot
F12 Boot menu
D2D recovery

HELP, I have no OS, and can't install it!

Report

schutt - Aug 23, 2010 at 02:57 PM

i have a 2000 gateway computer and harddrive dont want to work right from boot and I need help on how to fix the problem please help thanks

Report Respond to USMC6995

USMC6995 Jan 28, 2010 at 09:00 AM

29

Thank you

The BIOS change to IDE on SATA worked! Thank you for the tip!

Report Respond to chaiz

chaiz Aug 5, 2009 at 03:34 AM

20

Thank you

i have an vista o.s I formatted vista but then too xp does not detect hard drive

Report Respond to small student

small student Jul 18, 2009 at 01:31 PM

5

Thank you

dear same problem:
i ran through this problem, and I have tried every possible solution, even with fdisk,formatting, third party during setup,drivers, etc etc etc for hell windows
iam a doctor, and this is brain insult

very big advice--------------------------hell to windows
i have changed to linux in very easy way
now my laptop had ubuntu 9.04 and mandriva 2009 powerpack and many other partitions of my work
believe or not ,
swear god I did nothing , no drivers, no problems ,nothing atall
my wireless,my display, audio, video,every thing is perfect
it is not advertisement , I have no time for that shut
it is what happened with me

Report Respond to xpcman

xpcman

Posts: 19569
Registration date: Wednesday October 8, 2008
Status: Contributor
Last seen: January 23, 2019

7218 Nov 20, 2008 at 03:05 PM

4

Thank you

You can use slipstreaming to add the SATA drivers to Your XP disk. The trick is to find the right drivers,

go to this site for info on nLite a tool for slipstreaming.

http://www.cse.iitb.ac.in/...

Report Respond to Rasty

Rasty Aug 7, 2010 at 08:49 AM

4

Thank you

thank u thank u thank u thank u!! u guys are really great!!! I love u all.. MUAHH!! it worked like magic... hahahah

Report Respond to mtandy

mtandy Feb 1, 2010 at 12:10 AM

3

Thank you

I'm trying to install xp on and MSI laptop and the bios has not option to change the hard drive type. Bios recognizes the hd but when trying to install xp it says there is no hdd present. What do I do?

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91-bluebird - Feb 9, 2010 at 10:21 PM

I have the same error, on my gateway mx6214, bios shows harddrive but xp doesnt see it, ubuntu does however, I need xp to be installed asap without a floppy drive anyone please help I have a windows xp disk from bestbuy with its own product key, please help

Report Respond to thusee

thusee Jun 14, 2010 at 10:48 PM

2

Thank you

i have built couple of pc's and never ran across this problem ever. I got a hp laptop from a friend to re install windows for them and I got the error mentioned above.

While I was in the middle of the nLite program I decided to keep looking and found this page. I reset the bios to Disable the sata and IT WORKED PERFECTLY!

THANKS OP! Was a good learn as well.

Report Respond to dd

dd Jan 12, 2010 at 08:13 AM

1

Thank you

mine one is also pheonix
I have disabled it
and I installed XP sp2

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blah - Jan 15, 2010 at 12:24 AM

How did you go about disabling Phoenix? I have an Alienware M7700 with RAID and it isn't recognizing the hard drive when installing XP or in BIOS. I read something about upgrading the RAID controller driver using an external floppy drive????

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xpcman

Posts: 19569
Registration date: Wednesday October 8, 2008
Status: Moderator
Last seen: January 23, 2019

7218 > blah - Feb 1, 2010 at 03:24 PM

There is a point where the XP install asks you to insert a floppy with the RAID drivers. Something about "press F6 if you have a RAID driver to install".

Good Luck

Report Respond to john

john Mar 25, 2010 at 05:27 PM

1

Thank you

This is the only help I have found so far:

http://www.howtogeek.com/...

Report Respond to Akuma Re-Sa

Akuma Re-Sa Jun 27, 2010 at 06:11 PM

1

Thank you

thanks for this one...I'll already solve my problem..

Report Respond to Angkri

Angkri Jul 25, 2010 at 01:28 AM

1

Thank you

I disabled the AHCI in the bios and put SATA/ATA and it worked for me thanks....... Solved my problem......

Report Respond to Anna

Anna Aug 9, 2010 at 07:20 AM

1

Thank you

Thanks so much guys! You are heaven-sent lifesavers!

Should I leave SATA mode at IDE for good?

=D

Report Respond to victorh2000

victorh2000 Mar 15, 2009 at 03:12 AM

0

Thank you

I had the same problem with a GATEWAY DX4720-03 computer model and downloaded SATA_IDE drive from http://www.nvidia.com/object/nforce_winxp_15.24.html and install windows server 2003 with no errors.

you will need to slipstream the driver with nlite and change AHCI mode on Bios IF YOU CAN.
the driver is located at IDE/WINXP/SATA_IDE on the file.

good look!
Edit/Delete Message

Report Respond to Rahat

Rahat Jun 15, 2009 at 10:50 AM

0

Thank you

I did the same thing as suggested above xpcman however it still did not work. When using the nlite I also included the intel chip drivers for my Gateway MX6214. This was my third XP cd burn before I had it working correctly. Cheers!

Report Respond to Dlark

Dlark Jul 26, 2010 at 12:57 PM

0

Thank you

thank u thank u thank u thank u!!! u guys are great!! was stuck on this for 2 days straight!!! u saved my life!!

Ask a question

how about those of us, whose laptops dont have any sata/ide menu options?

i have a toshiba satellite A205-s5000 laptop, which has VERY BASIC bios options, and none of those which u mentioned.

i also want to install xp on a vista laptop, n I also keep gettin the "cant find hard drive" error.

help?
I have a Acer Aspire One, but the Bios has the "InsydeH20 Setup Utility, and "Main", has only the following options:

System TIme
System Date

Total Memory
Video Memory

Quick Boot
Network Boot
F12 Boot menu
D2D recovery

HELP, I have no OS, and can't install it!
i have a 2000 gateway computer and harddrive dont want to work right from boot and I need help on how to fix the problem please help thanks
I have the same error, on my gateway mx6214, bios shows harddrive but xp doesnt see it, ubuntu does however, I need xp to be installed asap without a floppy drive anyone please help I have a windows xp disk from bestbuy with its own product key, please help
How did you go about disabling Phoenix? I have an Alienware M7700 with RAID and it isn't recognizing the hard drive when installing XP or in BIOS. I read something about upgrading the RAID controller driver using an external floppy drive????
There is a point where the XP install asks you to insert a floppy with the RAID drivers. Something about "press F6 if you have a RAID driver to install".

Good Luck

gsfilm · Accepted Answer · 2009-05-18T16:55:46-0400

Best answer

Report Respond to gsfilm

gsfilm May 18, 2009 at 04:55 PM

238

Thank you

Hi. Found this thread after having BIG trouble trying raw installation XP on a HP/Compaq laptop (nx9420). Same symptom. After loading all drivers, the installation sw said it could not find any hd. After googling a while I thought it had to be the SATA / AHCI issue. Also have this very basic BIOS setup with very few setup possibilities. After a couple of days trying Nlite and drivers an god knows what I got a fluke whim just to test switching "SATA native mode" OFF ! Heureka ! it worked. Dont know if this is solution for genuine AHCI - issues, but it might be the solution for some of You also who found this thread. // Peter

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pelicano - Apr 28, 2017 at 04:15 PM

thanks this worked for me, thanks a 1,000000

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Happy - Oct 20, 2017 at 03:15 PM

Amaze balls! Thank you my wizard! :)

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denix4u - Feb 4, 2018 at 04:52 AM

Thank you sir !

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SurenderPal - Mar 28, 2018 at 01:46 AM

Thanks a lot sir, It worked on my Compaq presario laptop

Report Respond to rick

rick - Jan 17, 2019 at 07:28 PM

May allah bless you with 72 vigins in this life. Worked on nb100 toshiba after Bios updated wrecked my life.

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XP can't recognize hard drive for OS install [Solved/Closed]

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