Windows taking a rediculously long time to install on new hard drive..

PitchWhite · 3 Jul 2008 at 09:39

Just purchased a 640gb WD Hard drive and I'm trying to do a fresh install of xp (64 bit)..however upon trying to install it is taking SOO LONG!! After a couple of hours it was still slowly copying files across..so went to sleep leaving it on overnight in the hope it would finish..woke up to a Blue Screen of Death! =) Joy!

Started the install again but then had to go to work..

Anyone else had issues with windows installing really slowly on a new hard disk. Any advice?

Admiral Huddy · 3 Jul 2008 at 09:45

It might not be a windows install problem..

Is it just a new drive or a new system?

I would firstly check your memory (using memtest86+) making sure it has ther correct settings in the BIOS as recommended by the manufacturer.

Next port of call is to download the WD diagnostic tool from their website and verify the HDD is working ok. These are normall DOS programs that boot straight from disk . Alternatively, download UBCD.

Is there more than one drive connected?

SATA or IDE?

If it's SATA and you had to load 3rd party drivers from a floopy, check you have the correct and LATEST drivers..

magicroundabout · 3 Jul 2008 at 09:50

did you instal the 3rd party drivers using the F6 function???!!!!

PitchWhite · 3 Jul 2008 at 09:53

Does anyone even use disks now?! Or same possible through cds? Don't want to have to dig out a floppy drive unless I have to!

My previous hard drive was sata..I've swapped it out temporarily for this new one to install xp 64 for the first time (was on 32bit xp before hand).

I guess I'll switch it back ..boot into normal windows and then run the diagnostics you've suggested from that version. Wierd though it seems to recognise it fine in the bios. It didn't request a sata driver upon install..perhaps the 64bit version of xp has it preinstalled on the DVD? Or did I just miss the point where it says to press F6 and it automatically continues after a certain period of time?

Rest of the system has remained the same except adding another 2gb of ddr2 800 ram (now total 4 x 1Gb). It recognises both the memory and hard disk fine in the bios.

Cheers!

PW

magicroundabout · 3 Jul 2008 at 09:58

from experience i've always had to instal these drivers on my WD HD when using XP through a floppy.

when i had an old XPS 600 i upgraded to X64 XP and it kept crashing when trying to install until i realised it needed these drivers through a floppy disc. once installed it was fine