XP setup doesnt see HD!

[lemmiwinks]

I'm try to reformat my computer before I head back up to college. When I put the XP CD into my drive and setup starts, I get the message that there is no hard drive detected. If I go into BIOS, it shows that my hard drive is present. My system is a Dell 8400 with a serial ATA HD. Any help?

 

[OdiN]

You probably need to install the drivers for your SATA controller on your computer. Hit F6 when prompted when setup is first starting "Hit F6 to install additional drivers blah blah"

You'll need the drivers on a floppy - that's the only way that setup will read them. This could be a problem if you are using one of those new Dell's that doesn't put floppy drives in them.

 

[w00t]

Originally posted by: OdiN
You probably need to install the drivers for your SATA controller on your computer. Hit F6 when prompted when setup is first starting "Hit F6 to install additional drivers blah blah"

You'll need the drivers on a floppy - that's the only way that setup will read them. This could be a problem if you are using one of those new Dell's that doesn't put floppy drives in them.

 

[cubby1223]

Gotta borrow a floppy from someone, and hope that Dell provides sata drivers you can download and put on a floppy.

 

[lemmiwinks]

are these drivers on one of the CDs Dell gave me? if yes, would it be possible to transfer them to a floppy?

 

[boomdawg]

If your system came with SATA drives (which I imagineit did), you shouldn't hae a problem with your XP install disk (at least if it's the one from Dell) seeing the drive. I've reformatted and reinstalled on several Dell systems that come with SATA and never had an issue with XP not having drivers for it.

 

[lemmiwinks]

well actually, i'm trying to use a XP CD that includes SP2(the one from Dell is only SP1)

 

[lemmiwinks]

boomdawg-
were the SATA drivers on your XP cd or did Dell give you a seperate disk?