New system nightmare

[daddog]

I seem to be caught in a ugly maze that has no way out.

My system is built. I can boot it up to BIOS and I can ‘start’ to install XP on either of two SATA drives I have. One is new and the other is an extra I had. Problem is when it get done loading many of the XP drivers it give me an error, Shut down to prevent damage.
In a nut shell it says to check the following:

Check your disk space.
Check to make sure your drivers are updated.
Change/check your video adapters
Check BIOS updates
Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing.

When I boot up my old system with the SATA drives they are fine. Both function and work without any problem, but I am unable to use them on my new system due to the above error. I formatted them both and prior to that partitioned them with out any problems.

I have gone the F6 route to install RAID drivers, but I don’t have a 3 ¼ floppy. The HD only came with an install CD. On top of that it does not have any software on the CD to create a 3 ¼ floppy that is required when you are installing XP on a SATA drive. You get to the point that it asks for the drivers and it will only look at your “A” drive/floppy disk drive. Old XP software that does not know any better. I have gone over the Seagate site and cannot find any place to download drivers to a 3 ¼ floppy. Tried to sign up for their forums, but kept getting a ‘syntax’ error telling me I was not filling out the fields correctly. Ya, you got it. About that time I was ready to kick some butt. Not even sure if I was able to load a floppy disk at that point if it would solve the problem.

It just amazes me with the high technology we have these days that a guy like me with adequate computer skills can’t simply plug in a new SATA drive and install it using XP.

I have gone through the MB manual multiple times, I have gone through the BIOS settings multiple times and have systematically enabled and disabled anything to do with SATA drives but no joy. I have not dove deep into checking voltage and other memory/cpu settings as that is way over my head. I will set it to load Fail Safe Defaults next as I am about out of options. After that the next step would be to pull my old IDE drive out of this current system and run with that. Did not want to do that because if I can’t get that drive to work then I will be off line.

Spent the whole weekend dealing with this and am venting more than anything really. At this point I will have to take it in to a professional. Problem is the main computer repair shop in town I don’t do business with any more. Harppa and Wklink were here when a power supply I purchased from them (about 5 years ago) was bad and fried two of my MB’s. That is another story. I just do my best to make sure no one does business with them. Just checked the phone book and I see some new out fit listed in downtown Sonora. I might go check them out Monday after school if I can get back in time from work.

Off topic a bit I will shoot out an e-mail, but I will be out of town next Wed - Saturday and will not make this Friday FSO.

[Malap]

daddog, are the 2 drives the same series?  e.g. mine are 7200.11. 7200 is the RPM of the drive and i believe the 11 is like calling it a MK 11.

and are they both the same speed? e.g. sata 150 or sata 300.

I'm not sure if raid works with different hard drives but i have never tried. Try disconnecting 1 of the drives and see if you can install on just 1 drive, then after windows is installed plug in the other, it won't be a raid array rather you will have 2 separate HD rather than it seeing a raid array as 1 HD.

I installed vista on my new system and i didn't need drivers, i just selected the raid option in BIOS setup and ran the on board raid program, then installed vista.

I have a floppy with my old raid drivers for my previous system but they may be too old for your HD. if you want i could send them to you using skype.

[daddog]

Thanks anyway Mal. I have the correct files on the floppy now, but it is not taking them.

I am only trying one drive at a time. Not trying to set up a Raid array. I will be happy if just one would work.
One is an older Maxtor 250gig and the other is a brand new Segate 500gig Barracuda.

Since I last posted I found some BIOS settings that are supposed to enable native for SATA drives. Also settings that would enable IDE on SATA drives if have them (my SATA drive) in the correct SATA connect (0, 1, or 2). Still does not work. Copied the correct 1.44 files onto a 3 ¼ floppy and hooked up an old 3 ¼ drive. Would not work. Looked in the BIOS and enabled the 3 ¼ floppy drive (oops for got that) and still would not work. I boot from the XP CD and get the point where it asks me to put in the floppy with the SATA drivers and it does not recognize that I put one in. Just keeps asking me for the A floppy. Have tried two3 ¼ drives and neither one works. Not like you can hook up a floppy drive incorrectly, has that middle pin on the cable and you can only put it in one way. I know one works for sure because I made sure it worked on my old system first.

I just don’t see how someone who has an XP system can use a single SATA drive as their main drive in a new install.  It is beyond me. I think I have put in about 10 hours on this single issue.

Vista does the trick for that Mal. Vista has the SATA drivers already and recognizes them. XP = Old software. SATA = New Hardware, and they don’t mix well.

[Malap]

My previous system i installed 2 sata drives in a raid array, i downloaded the drivers from the seagate site and copied them to a 3 1/2 floppy and installed them when xp prompted me. I didn't have any problems with my install, so i don't know any workarounds, sorry Daddog, I'm stumped.

[Nifty]

Tried to call DD, but got the answering machine, so I'll just leave it here.

Pop your Seagate MB CD in your old machine and look for the drivers folder on it. Inside that folder should be a SATA folder. Copy the contents of that folder to the root of the floppy. Then when you get to the F6 option to manually install the SATA drivers, pop that floppy in and you should be able to tell XP to use those drivers.

If those are the same files you already put on the floppy, then I have no idea either.

I honestly don't remember having any issues at all installing XP onto a SATA drive (I've since moved to Vista, but it was an upgrade, so I know I installed XP onto this SATA drive previously.)

[daddog]

Thanks Nifty. That is exactly what I have done.

It does not recognize the floppy. Just keeps asking for me to put it in drive A. 

Did that after I tried the native way which is supposed to make a SATA drive emulate an IDE drive.

Like you I have no idea and am about out of them. Copied everything over. Will pull my IDE drive tonight or tomorrow and just use that. Lame to have such a nice system and have to use an old IDE drive, (of course I am assuming that will work).

[Nifty]

is it trying to read the floppy and just not finding the drivers, or is XP acting like the floppy drive itself isn't even there?

[Harppa]

This may be a long shot...

How old is your copy of XP ? If there's no service pack with it, maybe your copy is missing files neded for SATA drives.

You can make a bootable XP CD with service pack attached. Search the net with words 'Slipstreaming Windows' or something like that. I've done it with the old copy of XP I have, and it works with service pack 2 at least. Never tried it witht SP3, though.

Cheers!
Harppa

Edit:
As I remember I was using 'Autostreamer' for my own Slipstream project. Here's the link where you cabn find the program and lots of info.
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/slipstream.htm

[daddog]

XP is acting like the floppy is not there. I mean the light goes on as if it is reading the floppy, but then says to insert the floppy.

Will look into that Harppa. My copy has Service Pack 2 so it is not that old.

I pulled my old IDE drive and tried to use that. It greatly surprised me by booting up into XP. It started loading all the new drivers and such. I restarted and was pressing F8 to get the menu to format the drive, (I want a clean install) but it would just ignore my F8 and book into my old drive.  By then it was late and I was tired. Went to bed. I will play with it again tonight.

If you only have one IDE drive what is the best way to format it?

[daddog]

I have to say I am really tempted to get a home copy of Vista because I think a lot of my SATA problems would be solved if I  had it.

[Nifty]

Daddog, did you use this link to make your floppy? http://america.gigabyte.com.tw/FileList/Driver/motherboard_driver_sataraid_intel_bootdisk_32.exe

From the Gigabyte website, it's the "Intel ICH9R/ICH10R Driver (Preinstall driver) Note: Press F6 during Windows* setup to read from floppy. (For non-VISTA operating systems)" download. Sounds like you can use it to make the floppy disk.

You can also read http://news.softpedia.com/news/Install-Windows-XP-On-SATA-Without-a-Floppy-F6-47807.shtml and try to make an XP CD that has the drivers on it (assuming you have a CD writer on your current XP machines) and then you won't need to touch the floppy.

If you stick with the IDE drive in the new system, you can download formatting utilities from your HD manufacturer that should make a bootable floppy disk.

Or, Vista isn't that bad. I have it at home and it works fine, and I can play AH just fine and dandy.

[Malap]

Vista is evil  , LOL

[Nifty]

It's not that bad. It's not like pre-fixed N1K2 evil or pre-perked C-Hog evil at least.

[daddog]

Thanks Nifty. I will give that a try.

Been very busy the last couple of days. Baumer called me Monday night and we tried a few things with no luck. I wanted to try what you suggested, but I doubt I will have a chance tonight. Will have to try it when I return Saturday or Sunday. Will be out of town for a few days.

[daddog]

Pretty slick program that NLite. I went through the process carefully reading the write up about how to do it on the link you provided Nifty.

First try did not work so I am going to try again. In one part of the process their was two choices (x or y for example) and in the write up he did not say which to choose. I went with the default choice x but since the boot did not work I will burn another and choose y this time. Crossing my fingers.

[daddog]

I remember now. It was a choice between 'text' or 'APAC'.
I think the default was text and that is what I tried.
Any way back at it, but bed time soon.

[outlaw]

daddog have u tried using the ide drive to make a copy of it self on one of ur sata drives?

[daddog]

Neg outlaw. I want a clean start and did not want my MB drivers that were on my old drive.

Out of town now. Will not be back till Saturday late or Sunday.

[outlaw]

use ur ide to format and start the process on ur new drive that way it is rdy to go when u switch it over.

still do the fresh install just a thought that might get it o where ur install program can see it easier.

[daddog]

Success! 

Here is a quote from one of the tech guys at our district office.

I have found the problem; you can't use the xp disc as is that you have. You need to us a xp disk with sp2 on it. What I've done is used one of our oem versions with sp2 on it and then I'll use your product id. If that doesn't work I'll need to create a slipstream disk with sp2 on it using your os disk and then try your product key again. If the first method is accepted I'll include a copy of the os with sp2 on it when I return the computer to you.

I am so jazzed! Can't wait to get it back. One of you (may have been Baumer) mentioned to me that, that could have been the issue. I think I will have to invest in a new XP CD. The one I have is from 2002.

[forHIM]

I'm sure someone in the squad can get you a iso image.  I know that I have one or more iso images of XP that could find its way to you.

[Harppa]

Success! 

Here is a quote from one of the tech guys at our district office.

I have found the problem; you can't use the xp disc as is that you have. You need to us a xp disk with sp2 on it. What I've done is used one of our oem versions with sp2 on it and then I'll use your product id. If that doesn't work I'll need to create a slipstream disk with sp2 on it using your os disk and then try your product key again. If the first method is accepted I'll include a copy of the os with sp2 on it when I return the computer to you.

I am so jazzed! Can't wait to get it back. One of you (may have been Baumer) mentioned to me that, that could have been the issue. I think I will have to invest in a new XP CD. The one I have is from 2002.

Dad !

Check my post above. There's a link for slipstreaming XP with SP2 or even with SP3 . You don't have to buy another copy of XP

Cheers!
Harppa

[Baumer]

I'm glad to hear that Daddog, It should work just fine with your activation code.

[daddog]

Thanks Harppa! You nailed it.

I just sent the techs that link you posted. They e-mailed me this AM and said they were having trouble doing it.  Maybe your link will help.

Crossing my fingers, again.

[Ghosth]

http://torrents.thepiratebay.org/4865832/Superior_Windows_XP_x64_Edition_(64_bit)_April_2009_final.4865832.TPB.torrent
This is a clean SECURE thoroughly tested A/V & IT-expert's version of XP
Professional x64 Edition retail SP2 English (United States, NT 5.2.3790.3959).
With inline *corporate* Volume License Key; this release passes
"Windows Genuine Advantage" checks, and a product key is NOT needed
(see \AMD64\WINNT.SIF on the iso). Have your own legal key?

Windows XP x64 supports up to 128GB of RAM !
This Windows version is designed to work with 64-bit processors from AMD and
Intel that support the x64 extensions to the x86 architecture. These include
Athlon 64, Athlon 64 FX, Mobile Athlon 64, Turion 64, Opteron processors from
AMD, and all Xeon, Pentium 4, Dual, Quad & 8 Core Intel setups with EM64T.

Although this release is rather complete and sufficient for most users,
there is no Outlook Express in the core of this OS. This XP64 is intended
for those who - like me - prefer a Classic minimal approach, those who
prefer OpenOffice, do audio-/video-editing, creative and developing work,
and/or those who generally don't share their PC/laptop with other users.
This OS is not really for beginners.

OR
http://torrents.thepiratebay.org/3983360/Windows_XP_Professional_x64_Edition_SP2_Full.3983360.TPB.torrent

WinXP Pro x64 FULL

- Integrated Service Pack 2 (added with nLite)
- English Language (US)
- Bootable CD image (ISO)
- Corporate edition = no post-install 'activation'!
   ==> The key code is in a file called KEY.txt <==

INSTRUCTIONS:

-Burn THE .ISO IMAGE to CD using Nero (or equivalent) "burn image" feature.
-Boot from CD
-Install.

NOTE: In order to prevent data loss, BURN AT LOW SPEEDS
I use 4x. You may use 8x if you have a real good CD burner and you're writing to a good quality CD.

For 32 bit, a newer release

http://torrents.thepiratebay.org/4887802/WindowsXP_PRO_SP3_May09.4887802.TPB.torrent

Image Created with...: Nero
Burn Tested..........: Yes

High Priority
Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool
Windows Genuine Advantage Notification
Windows Internet Explorer 7


Optional
Microsoft Base Smart Card Cryptographic Service Provider Package
Update for Root Certificates
Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1
Group Policy Preference Client Side Extensions
Windows Search 4.0 for Windows XP
Windows Media Player 11
Microsoft .NET Framework version 1.1
Microsoft Silverlight
Windows Live Essentials   

Personally I use U-torrent, its small, easy to configure, and easy to pause all downloads if I want to fly and not have things screwing up my connection. Also I NEVER share, as soon as a torrent is done downloading I remove it from u-torrent. Even so I would not recomend using it if your connection is less than very good. Torrent files will take longer than a straight http or ftp download, but they have some advantages also.

I'm not encouraging anyone to do anything they don't feel comfortable doing.
However the Pirate in me every now and then has to run up the skull and crossbones.
Yoho mateys!

As mentioned above, these are disk images, a picture if you will of a CD disk. Most cd/dvd burners will burn them. Including Nero.
Follow the directions posted above and you won't go far wrong.

With any corporate version it will NOT phone home to uncle bill for activation. However some programs will if they are able to autoupdate, will trigger a pretty annoying nag that won't go away. Office seems to be the biggest problem here. The easy answer is to turn off auto updates for Windows itself, and not use MS Office. But if you use MS office and need to stay updated, best to buy your windows CD.

However if your like me and prefer to use open office, abiword (instead of msWord) then soon as your installed turn off autoupdates for windows and thumb your nose at the devil.