Can't install Vista - help!!

[chuckles_the_scary_clown]

I've just taken delivery of a Dell 9200 quad-core system.

I've taken the hard drive out and replaced it with 2 x 320gb Western
Digital drives partitioned as I want.

So, I insert the Vista Business DVD and it whirrs into life........I
get as far as "where do you want to install Vista?"..........I select
the relevant partition and Vista tells me it can't find a suitable
volume for installation.

Um, excuse me?

So I elect to format the partition (even though it's already
formatted) but I get an hourglass for about three seconds and then it
disappears........no way did it just format a 40gb partition in 3
seconds.

Can someone tell me where I'm going wrong?

The drives are SATA (non-raid)..............I've been using computers
since 1981 and this is the first time I've failed in an attempt to do
something as simple as install an OS :-(

 

[JimR]

I've just taken delivery of a Dell 9200 quad-core system.

I've taken the hard drive out and replaced it with 2 x 320gb Western
Digital drives partitioned as I want.

So, I insert the Vista Business DVD and it whirrs into life........I
get as far as "where do you want to install Vista?"..........I select
the relevant partition and Vista tells me it can't find a suitable
volume for installation.

Um, excuse me?

So I elect to format the partition (even though it's already
formatted) but I get an hourglass for about three seconds and then it
disappears........no way did it just format a 40gb partition in 3
seconds.

Can someone tell me where I'm going wrong?

The drives are SATA (non-raid)..............I've been using computers
since 1981 and this is the first time I've failed in an attempt to do
something as simple as install an OS :-(

When you removed the original hard drive most likely you removed the chipset
drivers for the motherboard, sata drivers etc. Try using the driver CD that
came with your computer to install the appropriate drivers first.

 

[John Barnes]

Format in Vista install uses the quick format

 

[chuckles_the_scary_clown]

When you removed the original hard drive most likely you removed the chipset
drivers for the motherboard, sata drivers etc. Try using the driver CD that
came with your computer to install the appropriate drivers first.

Nope that's made no difference..............besides which, Vista sees
the drives with all the relevant partitions?

Googling this seems to suggest the installer is buggy?

Now I know this is a bizarre request but can anyone tell me, in simple
terms, how I can get Vista to install?

 

[chuckles_the_scary_clown]

Nope that's made no difference..............besides which, Vista sees
the drives with all the relevant partitions?

Googling this seems to suggest the installer is buggy?

Now I know this is a bizarre request but can anyone tell me, in simple
terms, how I can get Vista to install?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

No takers?

So Vista's uninstallable?

Surely not?

 

[John Barnes]

Have you tried the proper SATA drivers, and settings in your BIOS

 

[dennis@home]

No takers?

So Vista's uninstallable?

Send me the machine or a duplicate and I'll give it a go.

 

[chuckles_the_scary_clown]

Have you tried the proper SATA drivers, and settings in your BIOS

Yes, it's all set up and ready to roll.

Someone somewhere must have come across this before? As I say,
googling it throws up a whole raft of results that seem to suggest
that this is a known issue?

But no-one seems to have a solution?

 

[Doppler John]

He obviously did not format the drives in Vista since he can not get Vista
up and running !
No one has suggested the following - so - here goes ....
Download the Vista SATA drivers from WD and install on floppy, CD, etc.
Press the good old F8 key during initial Vista installation and run the
media, on which, the drivers were installed.
The results should (?) net the installed volumes to choose from when the O/S
installer asks for them.
Worth a shot ...... no ? ..... John.

 

[John Barnes]

So you have a little more knowledge, you can format the partition where you
select where to install Vista (advanced). You do not have to install Vista,
as at that point it would be too late anyway.

 

[Doppler John]

I did not profess to have " a little more knowlege " as you so sarcastically
stated. I was simply trying to provide a little help
just as you were doing. I, personally, do not intend to drag this string
along by trading sarcastic comments back and forth. I can only hope that our
...... our ..... suggestions may help to solve the posted problem
.................. John.

 

[chuckles_the_scary_clown]

He obviously did not format the drives in Vista since he can not get Vista
up and running !
No one has suggested the following - so - here goes ....
Download the Vista SATA drivers from WD and install on floppy, CD, etc.
Press the good old F8 key during initial Vista installation and run the
media, on which, the drivers were installed.
The results should (?) net the installed volumes to choose from when the O/S
installer asks for them.
Worth a shot ...... no ? ..... John.

At which point should I press F8?

You're not confusing a Vista install with an "XP press F6 to install
third party" install?

There is an option once I have a list of drives up to "load
drivers" (under "drive options"/"advanced").........do you mean at
that point?

 

[John Barnes]

That would be the point he means. Also the drivers are usually from the
MOBO manufacturer since they relate to the chipset used and not to the hard
drive. The chipset manufacturer usually also has them. In your case
probably check Dell first then Intel.

 

[chasbick]

I've just taken delivery of a Dell 9200 quad-core system.

I've taken the hard drive out and replaced it with 2 x 320gb Western
Digital drives partitioned as I want.

So, I insert the Vista Business DVD and it whirrs into life........I
get as far as "where do you want to install Vista?"..........I select
the relevant partition and Vista tells me it can't find a suitable
volume for installation.

Um, excuse me?

So I elect to format the partition (even though it's already
formatted) but I get an hourglass for about three seconds and then it
disappears........no way did it just format a 40gb partition in 3
seconds.

Can someone tell me where I'm going wrong?

The drives are SATA (non-raid)..............I've been using computers
since 1981 and this is the first time I've failed in an attempt to do
something as simple as install an OS :-(

Hi,
Vista may detect it as dynamic volume and so will not install onto
it. If
you have a partition manager like Acronis Disk Director, run that and
see
what it reports. If it is listed as a dynamic volume change it to
"basic".

good luck.

 

[Doppler John]

Sorry gang !!! I got my " Fs " confused and did mean to press F6 and not
F8 . I normally use a third party SATA adapter and would have to obtain
drivers from that source so I should have definitely known enough to
recommend the mobo manufacturer as the source for SATA drivers. Sorry if I
caused confusion as it was obviously a very confusing day for me, too.
.............. John.

 

[Guest]

I've just taken delivery of a Dell 9200 quad-core system.

I've taken the hard drive out and replaced it with 2 x 320gb Western
Digital drives partitioned as I want.

So, I insert the Vista Business DVD and it whirrs into life........I
get as far as "where do you want to install Vista?"..........I select
the relevant partition and Vista tells me it can't find a suitable
volume for installation.

Um, excuse me?

So I elect to format the partition (even though it's already
formatted) but I get an hourglass for about three seconds and then it
disappears........no way did it just format a 40gb partition in 3
seconds.

Can someone tell me where I'm going wrong?

The drives are SATA (non-raid)..............I've been using computers
since 1981 and this is the first time I've failed in an attempt to do
something as simple as install an OS :-(

At this point, I'd say consider yourself lucky. After two weeks with Vista,
I'd be willing to trade it in for XP, Ubutu, OSX, SLED, Win98, MSDOS...

 

[Roy Coorne]

At this point, I'd say consider yourself lucky. After two weeks with Vista,
I'd be willing to trade it in for XP, Ubutu, OSX, SLED, Win98, MSDOS...

I offer a Win98 CD + a Win98SE Updates CD;-)

Roy