Help! New computer won't recognize SATA drive!

F

freddursth8

Weaksauce
Joined
Jan 8, 2004
Messages
116
Thanks for reading this thread. I am currently putting together a new computer (specs are in my signature). When I try to install Windows XP Pro, an error message comes up stating, it cannot find any connected hard drives. My SATA drive is clearly connected to the motherboard, as well as the PSU. Any ideas how to fix this? I'm at a loss!
 
I have no experience with that board, that said, windows XP cannot reconize SATA drives where in the bios the mode is set to AHCI. Set the drives to IDE mode in the bios.

(What I am saying is I am not even sure the bios will let you make such a change ) I will go attempt to find the bios settings on intels site and have a look see.

However I am almost dead certain that this kind of issue is the root of your problem. How to get around it is another story. The AHCI drivers can be slipstreamed into a WindowsXP install disk but its not a trivial thing to do, not hard, but its not a 5 minute operation.
 
I tried this change initially, and I still get the same error message. Perhaps I have a faulty hard drive? It is brand new though. Thanks for the help!
 
freddursth8 said:
Thanks for reading this thread. I am currently putting together a new computer (specs are in my signature). When I try to install Windows XP Pro, an error message comes up stating, it cannot find any connected hard drives. My SATA drive is clearly connected to the motherboard, as well as the PSU. Any ideas how to fix this? I'm at a loss!
Click to expand...

XP is unable to install from or to a SATA drive without first installing SATA drivers.
 
No, the drive in not recognized in the BIOS. Also, my motherboard does not recognize the floppy drive I have connected. Any thoughts on how I can load the RAID drivers without the floppy?
 
if the drive is not recognized in the BIOS try a new cable and/or sata port. If it dosen't work try the hard drive in another computer. The BIOS should see the drive so it's 3 things.

1- Could be the port on the board (unlikely but possible).
2- Could be a defective cable (very possible)
3- Defective Hard drive (very possible)

Or maybe check if you put power on the drive hehe. Oh and if the drive have 2 power connectors DON'T I MEAN DON'T plug both.


edit--- I see your say the board don't see the floppy either so make sure the SATA and Floppy controler are enabled in the BIOS maybe? The easiest way is to open the BIOS and select the "Load fail safe" option and then save then reboot.
 
Russell said:
XP is unable to install from or to a SATA drive without first installing SATA drivers.
Click to expand...

That is not true. I am using a PC right now with a SATA drive that didn't have the SATA drivers installed before installing Windows XP. As long as you have the bios set right, Windows will install on a SATA drive.
 
Ok, the floppy cable was defective. So now I am going to attempt to do the F6 installation. You are correct, Ozone, but both microsoft and intel recommend installing SATA drivers first.

EDIT: Success! I am not installing windows on my new hard drive! Thanks for all your help, guys!
 
freddursth8 said:
Ok, the floppy cable was defective. So now I am going to attempt to do the F6 installation. You are correct, Ozone, but both microsoft and intel recommend installing SATA drivers first.

EDIT: Success! I am not installing windows on my new hard drive! Thanks for all your help, guys!
Click to expand...

Yes I know that if you are going to use the SATA drivers, you have to install them first with F6. My point was that you don't have to use the SATA drivers to make a SATA drive work.

Russell said, "XP is unable to install from or to a SATA drive without first installing SATA drivers". I disagree with that statement, because I know first hand that it is not true. You may not have all the functions of a SATA drive, but it will work and Windows can be installed without installing the drivers during the F6 point.

As to what you said about Microsoft and Intel, are you saying that they recommend installing the drivers when using a SATA drive or are you saying that if you use the SATA drivers, that they recommend they be installed first? I agree that if you are going to use the SATA drivers that they need to be installed first.
 
It depends upon whether the controller has native support or XP already has drivers for it included.
Most modern controllers like ICH8 have native support (usually IDE emulation).
 
yeah, i think Microsoft bundled SATA drives with Windows XP SP2 installation disks. if it's pre SP2, it won't have SATA drivers.
 
BUFF said:
It depends upon whether the controller has native support or XP already has drivers for it included.
Most modern controllers like ICH8 have native support (usually IDE emulation).
Click to expand...

So what does IDE emulation mean? Does it mean the SATA drive's performance will only be that of an IDE drive? If so, does that mean if you want SATA performance you need to install the SATA drivers at the F6 point of Windows install?
 
Ozoneman said:
So what does IDE emulation mean? Does it mean the SATA drive's performance will only be that of an IDE drive? If so, does that mean if you want SATA performance you need to install the SATA drivers at the F6 point of Windows install?
Click to expand...

I don't think the performance difference is all that great (probably wouldn't notice in real world applications).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top