Windows wont install - help!

lttlejoe · 13 Feb 2011 at 20:52

I wonder if you guys can help as it's driving me nuts!

Today I've completed a first time build and after a bit of pratting around, I've managed to get my 2003 copy of Windows XP Pro to read from the CD drive. It goes through the checks but won't install and then comes up with a screen telling me the hard drive is possibly faulty and suggests to go into CHKDISK.

I've not used my Windows Copy since around 2004/2005 after which the computers I bought had it pre-installed so never used it again but it was working when I last used it.

Is is possible that my copy is so old that it doesn't detect mdern hardware SATA drives instead of IDE) or should it still install?

The HDD is brand new and only fitted today but I suppose it's possible that it was DOA but I have no way of checking right now!
Any suggestions welcome!

The build is: AMD 955, Gigbyte MA78LMT-US2H, F3 Spinpoint 1Tb HDD and 4 gb Geil. Samsung CD/DVD

SexyGreyFox · 13 Feb 2011 at 21:26

I wouldn't think it was the age of your disk - I've just put an old XP on a brand new machine.
Try your hard drive in other connectors, try another hard drive lead, see if a friend will lend you another Windows installation disk to see if you can get past the point you get to.

lttlejoe · 13 Feb 2011 at 21:52

dmpoole said:
I wouldn't think it was the age of your disk - I've just put an old XP on a brand new machine.
Try your hard drive in other connectors, try another hard drive lead, see if a friend will lend you another Windows installation disk to see if you can get past the point you get to.

Thanks for the reply - I'll try it in another SATA port with another SATA lead..I have plenty of those!
Good to hear it should install. It can't be much. I have an old IDE drive in an old computer which I could try if all else fails...the mobo has an ide connector on it!

Also just spoken to my friend and I think he has a copy I can try to see if it's my copy that is the problem.

Baldbloke · 13 Feb 2011 at 23:11

I know this doesn't address your problem specifically, however you may come across it when you overcome your current problem. Early XP discs do not have sata drivers. The install will only read 3d party drivers from A: drive (floppy). But then, most of us don't have floppy drives these days. A workaround is available at this link: http://www.digitgeek.com/how-to-slipstream-sata-drivers-into-xp-cd/

lttlejoe · 13 Feb 2011 at 23:54

Baldbloke said:
I know this doesn't address your problem specifically, however you may come across it when you overcome your current problem. Early XP discs do not have sata drivers. The install will only read 3d party drivers from A: drive (floppy). But then, most of us don't have floppy drives these days. A workaround is available at this link: http://www.digitgeek.com/how-to-slipstream-sata-drivers-into-xp-cd/

Thanks for the reply and link...I'll look carefully at that - I finally have got it running now after some hair-pulling and a lot of profanities. It formatted the hard drive and boots from it now so it must be detecting the Sata HDD.

Now that I have it running I can connect to the internet and download new drivers and hopefully SP2 and any other updates that are needed.
Now my next big task is to get some sound!