How to install Windows XP on a SATA Hard Drive
This problem and topic maybe old but I still receive mails asking me on how they can install Windows XP on a SATA HDD I also still encounter this type of problem posted on forums so I thought I should write an article on this problem. The problem is when they try to install Windows XP, they got the problem of not able to find any hard disk drives installed. The hard drive is detected in BIOS and also start up POST but not in Windows setup. Here is the exact error message.
“Setup did not find any hard disk drives installed in your computer. Make sure any hard disk drives are powered on and properly connected to your computer, and that any disk-related hardware configuration is correct. This may involve running a manufacturer-supplied diagnostic or setup program. Setup cannot continue. To quit Setup, press F3.”
First method is to change the SATA Mode to IDE in BIOS. Different bios has different settings location. This example comes from a Phoenix AwardBIOS 6.00PG BIOS. You can change the SATA Mode to IDE by going to Integrated Peripherals > SATA Devices Configuration > SATA Mode [RAID] and change to [IDE]. This first step is enough to allow you to install XP on your SATA disk. But if you are gonna use RAID you must perform the remaining steps.
Now I am able to install Windows XP as normal. If you’re unable to change RAID mode to IDE or disable SATA in BIOS, then you need to download SATA RAID from your motherboard manufacturer’s website, extract the drivers to a floppy disk and then insert the floppy to your computer during Windows XP installation.
Insert Windows XP CD and boot it up. You should see a message that says “Press any key to boot from CD…” Simply hit any key and it’ll start to boot from CD. Pay attention to the next blue colored windows setup screen. When you see a message that says “Press F6 if you need to install a third party or RAID driver…” at the bottom bar, immediately hit F6 key.
After loading some files, you will come to a screen that says the following:
Setup could not determine the type of one or more mass storage devices installed in your system, or you have chosen to manually specify an adapter. Currently, Setup will load support for the following mass storage devices(s):
* To specify additional adapters, CD-ROM drives, or special disk controllers for use with Windows, including those for which you have a device support disk from a mass storage device manufacturer, press S.
* If you do not have any device support disks from a mass storage device manufacturer, or do not want to specify additional mass storage devices for use with Windows, press ENTER.
Enter floppy drive with SATA drivers and press S. It will present a list of drivers which it read from the disk earlier. Select the appropriate driver and continue the Windows XP installation. The setup will continue and this time it will recognize the SATA hard disk drive in your PC. This problem is quite common nowadays compared to last time because a lot of computers now are using SATA hard drive with better motherboards that has RAID.
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19 Comments
Thanks for your effort full work here … you really solved my problem … as per your step by step illustration I completed my work (installing XP sata HD) on my PC …
Thanx again
Regards,
Aniruddha
Nice tutorial, might come in handy some day. Glad you thought of putting it up.
your welcome Quality Tale. Step 1 can really solve the problem but if you are going to use multiple SATA disk then you are required to install the drivers.
@syed
thanks
Some people are downgrading their system back to XP and when they install XP with a sata disk they encounter this type of problem.
Paano kung walang floppy drive?
puwede din itong gawin, google mo about sa nLite or
visit this link
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Install-Windows-XP-On-SATA-Without-a-Floppy-F6-47807.shtml
To install your operating system on a new SATA hard drive you are going to need to provide a SATA drivers disc during the Windows Setup process. This disc is NOT provided by the company you purchased your motherboard from. This is a disc you need to create using the makedisk.exe utility which can usually be found on your motherboard drivers disc or the manufacturers website. If you need more information on how to create this disc, please refer to the detailed instructions below. We will cover how to create an nVidia SATA or VIA SATA drivers disk depending on your chipset. This procedure can be different depending on the brand of motherboard you purchased.
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can this be also applied where the XP installer stopped at “Setup is starting Windows”?. My Seagate SATA HDD 260 GB was detected by BIOS but when i tried installing it hanged there.
Since i suspected BIOS virus infection and im afraid to flash my BIOS, i brought my pc to computer shop and have them format and install XP in my new SATA HDD. The tech their that there is something wrong with my Nvidia 8500GT video card causing the XP installation to hang. Is this true? I paid them 350 pesos for the service but i feel i could have done it myself with the help of this article and other related articles. Anyway, im asking questions so later if i encounter the same problem i will know what to do and i will not be force to take my pc to a computer shop with a feisty, all-knowing-attitude technician.
before bringing my pc to the computer shop, i tried installing xp using my old 40GB IDE HDD and everything works fine but when i replaced my newly bought 250 SATA HDD and installed XP in it using the same pc, the XP installer hanged. So since everything is the same (video card, memory, dvd, mobo, etc.), i concluded that the new 250GB SATA HDD was the problem. Still the technician said that its the video card.
its EMAXX EMX-94GC – 1333
how can I install windows XP to my notebook with SATA hard drive? How to Make SATA Disk ?
You can use the same procedure as above
. the steps I provided will work on either desktop or laptop.
Thank you for the great info, I have been running around like a headless chicken trying to figure this out for a loong time.
As always you’ve come to the rescue.
Thanks for the article, it has been very useful in my adventures with the XP stuff.
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Wow.
Thank you.
My computer crashed a week ago. I turned its power off while it was shutting down (and I think installing updates) XP. When I tried to boot it back up, I got the error
“Windows XP could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: \WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\CONFIG\SYSTEM”
This was a problem.
Windows would not launch. My computer was custom built so I had no “recovery” etc disc available. I read at work about how the recovery console may fix this problem, and set on trying to launch it. I have XP SP1 disc. The problem I faced is as above, XP would not recognize my hard drive. I knew it was ok and undamaged, and even my bios 2nd screen knew it, but win setup did not know!
On saturday, (today) I woke up and on my nokia 6120 I googled this problem, and I found your page. I was encouraged. I realized I had been searching for HDD drivers not motherboard drivers! After 5 drives back and forth to the library, (only place I could download drivers to floppy disc) I had it.
Recovery finally saw my HDD (DUHHHH!!!!!) And I was happy! For a minute.. As I have OEM Computer it has an admin password I dont know! So after all this I still could not use Recov console..
In a final act of defeat I pulled out the Win XP cd and Floppy disc and restarted.. TO MY ABSOLUTE SHOCK AND SUPRISE.. WIN XP LAUNCHED!
Thank you so god dam frakking much , you truely are a genius amoungst men, and you really should be working for microsoft! Thank you!!!
Nice and simple
I remember a computer technician told me about it, he may be read it here
thanks for sharing, its very helpful
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thanks. nlite is a great tool to integrate sata driver or any other software into your XP installer, you can even create an unattended installer using this tool.
Yes it’s possible, Failed hardware can halt any software installation. in your case, It can also be your ram, your hdd or the disk you are using to install XP that is suspect. try checking them one by one.
What is your motherboard? I’ll check if it has any issues with larger drives or SATA. for the mean time try following my steps on how to install XP on SATA disk.
Update me on your progress.
I don’t see issues with your motherboard with large drives. Have you tried following my methods on how you can successfully install XP on a SATA disk?