Windows XP Install

[shot2bits]

Built a new PC - inserted the WinXP CD, PC boots, performs initial checks and then I go ahead format the drive and select install. When Windows reboots, it then goes through the whole process again rather than proceeding to install Windows??! I've checked the BIOS and even changed 1st boot priority to HD but it will goes round in circles. Never had this before?

[trevorw]

Have you removed the XP Install CD from the drive?

Apart from that , I'm not much help.

[ThatPhilBrettGuy]

When you say format do you mean you created a new partion or just formatted an existing one?

[fredf]

hmm, strange one. what should happen is the first time you boot, the computer boots from the CD and does the first stage of the install. it then reboots, partially boots from the CD, then switches to booting from the HD (you should see a message saying 'press any key to boot from the CD' for about 3 or so seconds)

If, after the reboot, it tries to do the initial install again it suggests that it's failing to set up either the partition correctly or the boot loader (i think)

When you setup the partition, are you accepting what ever it suggests (one big ntfs partition) or something different. i can't remember if you have the option to make the partition bootable or not.

[fredf]

trevorw said:

Have you removed the XP Install CD from the drive? Apart from that , I'm not much help.

You shouldn't need to remove the CD or change the boot order in the BIOS, the CD boot loader handles this.

[shot2bits]

Basically, WinXP does it's initial checks upon discovering the CD in the drive. Then it asks whether or not I want a fresh install so I select yes and partition the drive in two - 250gb drive, 20gb to WinXP. Format begins and then it does some stuff and says WinXP needs to reboot - normally it's at this stage where the WinXP install really begins - i.e. where you see the logo and WinXP is setup. Only, when the reboot happens it goes back to the inital check as if it's a fresh install again... The usual press a key to boot from CD appears - I don't as I expect WinXP to contiune setup but the initial stage starts all over again!

The BIOS looks to be set correctly...

[aldi]

trevorw said:

Have you removed the XP Install CD from the drive? Apart from that , I'm not much help.

Aggreed - I know you don't normally need to, but it seems a bit silly not to try it.

[shot2bits]

OK, cracked it - sort of Bascially, SATA drives need a driver before WinXP will even recognise the drive. Strange as it's not the case for all motherboards but it is for my Gigabyte version. Anyway, installed a floppy as this is the only way to install a driver as there's no OS - you use the 'repair' facility to access DOS and then I'm supposed to copy the files from the CD ROM install CD to the floppy.

but... now for some reason I cannot format the floppy!! I type format a: but WinXP then says I cannot 'format removable media'. What's it on about? The BIOS looks fine... It's obviously not recognising the drive in some way... DIR works and I can change drive to A just cannot format a new disk.

[aldi]

If it didnt need the driver to see and partition the drives during install, it shouldnt need it to boot. If you did install the driver via F6 during install, you shouldnt need to install it again via console shinanigins. Re: formatting the floppy, the recovery console is quite restrictive in what you can do. That's all it will be.

Just my 2p, this just seems like a BIOS boot device issue, the BIOS isnt seeing your SATA drive as a boot device. I'd check the mobo manual for the exact BIOS settings to boot off a SATA device, there might be more to it than boot order.

[shot2bits]

disbled RAID in the BIOS, ensured I had a floppy with the NVIDEA SATA drivers and still wouldn't work... then, changed the CD ROM IDE socket on the motherboard from the green to the white! now all is working - basically winxp was confused about the CDROM being in the 1st IDE slot - expected to see an IDE HD I think...

typing on the new pc as i write this....

thanks for all your help...

Rob.