Re: Unable to format 2nd SATA drive (1TB)

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance


"MikeFadd" <MikeFadd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:5882BD0B-1A6E-40DE-8D6B-9047DBAEBF3C@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Hello everyone,

Here's my problem. My current hard drive (250GB) acquired some sort of
virus
where my computer would load, and the desktop background appeared, but
nothing loaded on my desktop after hours of waiting. I attempted the
Recovery
Console from my Windows XP Installation CD, but it didn't do the trick.
I
even tried starting in SAFE MODE.

In the end, I decided I wanted a new hard drive anyways, and that I'd
attach
my current hard drive as an additional backup drive. So I purchased a
Western
Digital 1TB Internal SATA hard drive. I plugged it in, and when my
computer
is starting up, it shows that it's detected on one of the initial
screens,
but doesn't go anywhere beyond this point. I have a Data Lifeguard
Tools
CD
that came with the WD hard drive, and it instructs users to format the
drive
with this disc upon booting your system so that you can install Windows
on
the drive. Well, I tried just about everything imaginable, but my
computer
will just not boot past the 2nd screen where it lists the hard drives.
The
CD-ROM has been set as the first boot in the boot sequence in my BIOS
setup,
but the software won't load. I also had an additional IDE hard drive
connected, and attempted plugging and unplugging the cable from the
motherboard to see if that made any difference. I only have to SATA
slots
on
my motherboard, and I attempted connecting both hard drives in both
slots
simulataneously and separately, and nothing changed either. However,
when
I
unplugged my new 1TB hard drive, the Data Lifeguard CD actually booted
and
was ready for formatting...however, that was only for my current drive,
which
contains the information which I wish to salvage! I can't figure out
how
to
get the CD to boot for the new hard drive so that I can format it and
prepare
it for a Windows XP installation. Any ideas on what the problem could
be,
and
any possible solutions?

Here is my system information:

System: Microsoft Windows XP Professional w/ SP2

Computer: AMD Athlon XP3000+
2.09GHz, 512MB of RAM

Motherboard Model: ABIT NF-7
(contains to SATA connection ports.i read they're 150 connectors, if
that
helps any)

Thanks in advance for your time and assistance in this matter!
-Mike


"Anna" wrote:
Mike:
Just in the event the problem may be a SATA controller driver issue...

I'm assuming the following...
1. I take it your 250 GB HDD that had been properly operating until it
became corrupted apparently through some virus infestation is also a SATA
HDD, yes?

Did you originally install that HDD? If so, do you recall the need to
install an auxiliary SATA controller driver provided by ABIT during the
XP
OS installation process?

2. Your basic objective is to fresh-install the XP OS onto your new WD 1
TB
SATA HDD. Is that right?

3. With *only* the 1 TB drive connected to the *first* SATA connector on
the
motherboard - no other storage devices, no other HDDs connected in the
system - you boot to your XP OS installation CD and get a message to the
effect that setup cannot continue because it cannot locate any HDD in
your
system. Is that correct?

If the above scenario is what's involved, the problem may very well be
the
need to install the appropriate SATA controller driver during the XP
installation process (the "F6" routine at the beginning of the process).
If
that is the case presumably ABIT has provided the driver files via the
motherboard's installation CD. You'll probably need a floppy disk
containing
the driver files in order to install the driver.

And if it is a SATA driver issue, ensure that your BIOS settings are
correct
for a SATA HDD installation.
Anna


"MikeFadd" <MikeFadd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:F99DD485-5C95-4732-A1AA-329B2F14E7A9@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
1. Yes, the 250GB HDD is a SATA drive, and was the primary hard drive with
Windows XP Pro was installed on.

2. Yes, I want to fresh install XP OS onto my new WD 1TB SATA HDD.

3. No. With only the 1TB drive connected, I CANNOT boot either the XP OS
Installation CD or the WD Lifeguard Tools CD. I don't receive any
messages.
My startup loads to the following screen text:

"SiI 3112A SATARaid BIOS Version 4.2.12
Copyright (C) 1997-2003 Silicon Image, Inc.

Press <Ctrl+S> or F4 to enter RAID utility
Primary Channel: WDC WD10EACS-00ZJB0 _ (blinking dash mark)"

Neither my XP OS Install CD will boot beyond this point, nor will my WD
Lifeguard (formatting) CD. If I use my 250GB HDD, then the CD's both boot
and
load. But whenever my NEW 1TB HDD is connected, no CD's will boot.

So basically, I can't figure out how to format the new SATA HDD so that I
can install Windows XP Pro onto it.


**Note, I have successfully installed 2 SATA drives into my system before
with 1 SATA drive being a primary drive, and another being a secondary,
along
with an IDE connected drive. So I know this is possible. I just wonder if
the
SIZE of this new 1TB HDD has anything to do with my problems. Maybe it's
conflicting with my motherboard in some manner?

Thanks for the help on this!

-Mike


Mike:
Well, it does appear the proper SATA controller driver was installed.

And the 1 TB HDD is connected to the *first* SATA connector on the system
board? And there are no other devices connected to any remaining SATA
connectors?

Booting directly to the 1 TB HDD (no bootable CD inserted) can you access
the BIOS? Any setting there re SATA/RAID that would seem to be awry? Have
you checked your User's Manual or Guide on the BIOS settings as it applies
to SATA HDD installation?

I wouldn't think it would be the 1 TB capacity of the SATA disk that is
causing the problem (but with ABIT boards one never knows!). But have you
checked with ABIT's tech support? Ditto for WD?

Incidentally, it's best to partition/format the disk using the XP
installation process. There is no need (and it's usually inadvisable except
in rare instances) to use a third-party application to perform this
operation. I realize you're unable to use the XP setup process (let alone
that WD Data Lifeguard program) to accomplish this at this time but I wanted
to mention it in passing.
Anna


.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Unable to format 2nd SATA drive (1TB)
    ... I want to fresh install XP OS onto my new WD 1TB SATA HDD. ... Neither my XP OS Install CD will boot beyond this point, ... will just not boot past the 2nd screen where it lists the hard drives. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: New HDD not seen by WinXP installation.
    ... However the new HDD is fully recognized by the BIOS as "WDC ... I wouldn't think this is a SATA controller ... So that you're using the XP OS installation ... integrated SATA controller driver and there was no need for you, the user, ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware)
  • Re: New HDD not seen by WinXP installation.
    ... indeed the SATA driver is the missing part. ... only by the computer vendor and not by the HDD supplier. ... So that you're using the XP OS installation ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware)
  • Re: Unable to boot XP Pro
    ... I have tried different hard drives, different IDE cables, ran Memtest ... need to press F6 when prompted and have the drivers on a diskette. ... incorporate the drivers to the installation CD or install ... Is the HDD in question actually a SATA HDD and not a PATA HDD? ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: Setting up a sata drive as new "C"
    ... and I decided I might as well install a sata drive. ... pressed F6 during installation but that did not help. ... HDD, it booted & functioned without *any* problem, right? ... And you're able to get into the setup process until the problem arises, ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware)