How do you format SATA HD - i feel like a newb

[Sigma B]

I've built several computers before. I was thinking my motherboard swap would be just a walk in the park - not so


I can't seem to be able to boot from the win xp pro cd or a boot disk, or even a linux dist cd in order to reformat my drive. Using a boot disk it won' let me access the C: drive, and when using CD's it just loads windows normally (but I can' use windows when it loads - screens all screwed up) WTF am I doing wrong?

[Sigma B]

I forgot to mention that i did change the boot order in the bios accordingly.

[Isaacav2]

You need an internal floppy drive or a usb floppy drive to install the 3rd party SATA drivers. Hit F6 when you boot from the XP cd to install 3rd party SATA drivers. Then you will be able to delete your SATA HDD like your used to. Make sure you have your SATA drivers on a floppy disc.

[djnes]

Help us help you. What motherboard are you using, specifically, what chipset is it. Most of the newer boards, and all Intel chipset boards have native XP support for SATA drives, and your problem is something else. If the board doesn't offer native XP support, you need to follow Isaacav2's advice.

You also need to clearly explain the problem. Does the WinXP setup go through until it tells you no hard drive is found? If so, follow his advice above. If you can't get that far, you have something else wrong.

[Sigma B]

thanks got it to work finally