Can't Install Win2K Or XP Pro on Dell Dimension 8400 with Serial ATA HD

[J. Danniel]

Hello.

I'd like to get some help installing Windows 2000 Pro on a Dell
computer. I've visited the Dell forum and got some help, but not
quite enough to attain success, so I'm hoping I can get more help
here.

I recently bought a Dell Dimension 8400, which came with Windows XP
Home and SP-2 pre-installed. I had Dell add a floppy drive.

The hard drive is a Serial ATA 80 gig.

Just for the sake of curiosity, I tried installing Windows 2000 on it.
I could not. The hard drive wasn't recognized at all, when I booted
up from the Windows 2000 installation CD.

My Zip drive, and my Maxtor external hard drive, were recognized, but
not the SATA.

So, I aborted the installation.

I then proceeded to try installing Windows XP Professional. The same
thing happened, so I aborted that installation as well, and resigned
myself to installing XP Home from Dell's OEM CD. I don't mind that,
but I would really like to get Windows 2000 or XP Pro on the computer.

After doing a bit of research, I found out I could put some SATA/RAID
driver files on a floppy, and when the setup of the operating system
begins, press F6 and the driver files on the floppy will be installed,
thus permitting the OS to be installed.

But here's the problem: I have NO CLUE what files to put on the
floppy, or where to find them.

Can anyone help me? I'd like a floppy disk for use with Windows 2000,
and another floppy disk for use with Windows XP Pro, unless the driver
files would be the same for both versions.

Which file(s) would I have to put on the floppy, and where can I get
them? I do not have access at all to an already-installed version of
Windows 2000, but I do have a second computer that has Windows XP Pro
on it. (Ironically, that computer doesn't support Windows 2000
either.)

I have no real, pressing NEED for Windows 2000 or XP Pro on my Dell,
but I just WANT to try out Windows 2000. It's the only version of
Windows I've never used hands-on and am curious to see how it performs
when compared side-by-side to XP.

Thank you for any assistance you can provide. J. Danniel






To reply via e-mail,
please remove the number 5 from
the reply address.
Thank you very much. J. Danniel

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Intel Application Accelerator RAID Edition
http://support.dell.com/support/dow...gory=41&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=7548&devlib=41

Welcome to Dell Community Forum
http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums?category.id=dimension

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

Get Windows XP Service Pack 2 with Advanced Security Technologies:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsxp/choose.mspx

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| Hello.
|
| I'd like to get some help installing Windows 2000 Pro on a Dell
| computer. I've visited the Dell forum and got some help, but not
| quite enough to attain success, so I'm hoping I can get more help
| here.
|
| I recently bought a Dell Dimension 8400, which came with Windows XP
| Home and SP-2 pre-installed. I had Dell add a floppy drive.
|
| The hard drive is a Serial ATA 80 gig.
|
| Just for the sake of curiosity, I tried installing Windows 2000 on it.
| I could not. The hard drive wasn't recognized at all, when I booted
| up from the Windows 2000 installation CD.
|
| My Zip drive, and my Maxtor external hard drive, were recognized, but
| not the SATA.
|
| So, I aborted the installation.
|
| I then proceeded to try installing Windows XP Professional. The same
| thing happened, so I aborted that installation as well, and resigned
| myself to installing XP Home from Dell's OEM CD. I don't mind that,
| but I would really like to get Windows 2000 or XP Pro on the computer.
|
| After doing a bit of research, I found out I could put some SATA/RAID
| driver files on a floppy, and when the setup of the operating system
| begins, press F6 and the driver files on the floppy will be installed,
| thus permitting the OS to be installed.
|
| But here's the problem: I have NO CLUE what files to put on the
| floppy, or where to find them.
|
| Can anyone help me? I'd like a floppy disk for use with Windows 2000,
| and another floppy disk for use with Windows XP Pro, unless the driver
| files would be the same for both versions.
|
| Which file(s) would I have to put on the floppy, and where can I get
| them? I do not have access at all to an already-installed version of
| Windows 2000, but I do have a second computer that has Windows XP Pro
| on it. (Ironically, that computer doesn't support Windows 2000
| either.)
|
| I have no real, pressing NEED for Windows 2000 or XP Pro on my Dell,
| but I just WANT to try out Windows 2000. It's the only version of
| Windows I've never used hands-on and am curious to see how it performs
| when compared side-by-side to XP.
|
| Thank you for any assistance you can provide. J. Danniel

 

[Dave Patrick]

That's correct. You'll want to boot the Windows 2000 setup disks or CD-Rom.
The set of four install disks can be created from your Windows 2000 CD-Rom;
change to the \bootdisk directory on the CD-Rom and execute makeboot.exe
(from dos) or makebt32.exe (from 32 bit) and follow the prompts.

Then *F6* very early and very important (at setup is inspecting your system)
in the setup to prevent drive controller detection, and select S to specify
additional drivers. Then later you'll be prompted to insert the manufacturer
supplied Windows 2000 driver for your serial ATA controller in drive "A"

If you wait and then S to specify additional drivers, then it may be too
late as Windows 2000 Setup at this point may have already assigned the
resources your drive's controller is wanting to use.

When you get to the point, delete the existing NTFS and or other partitions
found. After you delete the partition(s) abort the install, then again
restart the pc booting the CD-Rom or setup disks to avoid unexpected drive
letter assignments with your new install.


Be sure to apply these to your new install before connecting to any network.

http://download.microsoft.com/download/E/6/A/E6A04295-D2A8-40D0-A0C5-241BFECD095E/W2KSP4_EN.EXE
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-043.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-049.mspx

Download the files from Dell or the controller manufacturer's web site.

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
| Hello.
|
| I'd like to get some help installing Windows 2000 Pro on a Dell
| computer. I've visited the Dell forum and got some help, but not
| quite enough to attain success, so I'm hoping I can get more help
| here.
|
| I recently bought a Dell Dimension 8400, which came with Windows XP
| Home and SP-2 pre-installed. I had Dell add a floppy drive.
|
| The hard drive is a Serial ATA 80 gig.
|
| Just for the sake of curiosity, I tried installing Windows 2000 on it.
| I could not. The hard drive wasn't recognized at all, when I booted
| up from the Windows 2000 installation CD.
|
| My Zip drive, and my Maxtor external hard drive, were recognized, but
| not the SATA.
|
| So, I aborted the installation.
|
| I then proceeded to try installing Windows XP Professional. The same
| thing happened, so I aborted that installation as well, and resigned
| myself to installing XP Home from Dell's OEM CD. I don't mind that,
| but I would really like to get Windows 2000 or XP Pro on the computer.
|
| After doing a bit of research, I found out I could put some SATA/RAID
| driver files on a floppy, and when the setup of the operating system
| begins, press F6 and the driver files on the floppy will be installed,
| thus permitting the OS to be installed.
|
| But here's the problem: I have NO CLUE what files to put on the
| floppy, or where to find them.
|
| Can anyone help me? I'd like a floppy disk for use with Windows 2000,
| and another floppy disk for use with Windows XP Pro, unless the driver
| files would be the same for both versions.
|
| Which file(s) would I have to put on the floppy, and where can I get
| them? I do not have access at all to an already-installed version of
| Windows 2000, but I do have a second computer that has Windows XP Pro
| on it. (Ironically, that computer doesn't support Windows 2000
| either.)
|
| I have no real, pressing NEED for Windows 2000 or XP Pro on my Dell,
| but I just WANT to try out Windows 2000. It's the only version of
| Windows I've never used hands-on and am curious to see how it performs
| when compared side-by-side to XP.
|
| Thank you for any assistance you can provide. J. Danniel
|
|
|
|
|
|
| To reply via e-mail,
| please remove the number 5 from
| the reply address.
| Thank you very much. J. Danniel

 

[DL]

The sata drivers are likely available form Dell site.
(The sata controler being built into mobo)
There is unlikely to be any difference between win2k/winxp sata drivers

 

[J. Danniel]

What are these, and why do I need to install them before connecting to
my network?

Be sure to apply these to your new install before connecting to any network.

http://download.microsoft.com/download/E/6/A/E6A04295-D2A8-40D0-A0C5-241BFECD095E/W2KSP4_EN.EXE
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-043.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-049.mspx



To reply via e-mail,
please remove the number 5 from
the reply address.
Thank you very much. J. Danniel

 

[J. Danniel]

One other follow-up question about these:

I do have a home network, but I'm not using the computer's onboard
Ethernet connection. I installed a Microsoft PCI network card, in
conjunction with the Microsoft Wired Base Station.

If I'm using that card instead of the Ethernet connection, are the
files listed below still necessary and required? Thank you.

Be sure to apply these to your new install before connecting to any network.

http://download.microsoft.com/download/E/6/A/E6A04295-D2A8-40D0-A0C5-241BFECD095E/W2KSP4_EN.EXE
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-043.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-049.mspx

Download the files from Dell or the controller manufacturer's web site.

To reply via e-mail,
please remove the number 5 from
the reply address.
Thank you very much. J. Danniel

 

[Dave Patrick]

The first is SP4 the others you can read about. If not installed you likely
be infected within minutes.

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
| What are these, and why do I need to install them before connecting to
| my network?
|
| >Be sure to apply these to your new install before connecting to any
network.
|
|
http://download.microsoft.com/download/E/6/A/E6A04295-D2A8-40D0-A0C5-241BFECD095E/W2KSP4_EN.EXE
| http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-043.mspx
| http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/bulletin/MS03-049.mspx
|
|
|
| To reply via e-mail,
| please remove the number 5 from
| the reply address.
| Thank you very much. J. Danniel

 

[J. Danniel]

Is this the only thing I need to get the hard drive recognized?
Thank you.

Intel Application Accelerator RAID Edition
http://support.dell.com/support/dow...gory=41&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=7548&devlib=41

To reply via e-mail,
please remove the number 5 from
the reply address.
Thank you very much. J. Danniel

 

[Dave Patrick]

Yes

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
| One other follow-up question about these:
|
| I do have a home network, but I'm not using the computer's onboard
| Ethernet connection. I installed a Microsoft PCI network card, in
| conjunction with the Microsoft Wired Base Station.
|
| If I'm using that card instead of the Ethernet connection, are the
| files listed below still necessary and required? Thank you.

 

[Guest]

You're correct about the driver, no native SATA support so you need a driver
for when the prompt comes up during the install. The Dell support site has a
SATA driver. You should be able to put it on CD or floppy if it will fit.
There is also a reinstall guide. I go through a signon to get there so I
can't give you a direct link but you can get the same thing at
support.dell.com
I've never tried to pull the drivers off an existing system but I wouldn't
unless they are in the Dell folder on that system. Not sure about using XP
drivers for W2K - sometimes yes sometimes no.

 

[J. Danniel]

Nope, didn't work.

I downloaded this, put it on a floppy, booted my Windows XP Pro CD,
pressed F6, pressed S, chose the first of the two options that
appeared....and...

Once again, no hard drive recognized.

You gave me a link for the Dell Forums. I've been there. I've asked
for help. I'm still at a loss.

Is there anything else I can try?

Intel Application Accelerator RAID Edition
http://support.dell.com/support/dow...gory=41&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=7548&devlib=41

To reply via e-mail,
please remove the number 5 from
the reply address.
Thank you very much. J. Danniel

 

[J. Danniel]

Dave,

I downloaded and tried the package Carey suggested in the first reply
of this thread, but it didn't work. The hard drive is still not being
recognized.

If that package didn't work, then what else can I try?


To reply via e-mail,
please remove the number 5 from
the reply address.
Thank you very much. J. Danniel

 

[J. Danniel]

Nothing I've downloaded from the Dell site has worked, so far.
Nothing.

You're correct about the driver, no native SATA support so you need a driver
for when the prompt comes up during the install. The Dell support site has a
SATA driver. You should be able to put it on CD or floppy if it will fit.
There is also a reinstall guide. I go through a signon to get there so I
can't give you a direct link but you can get the same thing at
support.dell.com
I've never tried to pull the drivers off an existing system but I wouldn't
unless they are in the Dell folder on that system. Not sure about using XP
drivers for W2K - sometimes yes sometimes no.

To reply via e-mail,
please remove the number 5 from
the reply address.
Thank you very much. J. Danniel

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

Make sure you adjust the boot order in your BIOS to:

1. CD Drive
2. Hard Drive
3. Floppy Drive

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User
Microsoft Newsgroups

Get Windows XP Service Pack 2 with Advanced Security Technologies:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/protect/windowsxp/choose.mspx

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

:

| Nope, didn't work.
|
| I downloaded this, put it on a floppy, booted my Windows XP Pro CD,
| pressed F6, pressed S, chose the first of the two options that
| appeared....and...
|
| Once again, no hard drive recognized.
|
| You gave me a link for the Dell Forums. I've been there. I've asked
| for help. I'm still at a loss.
|
| Is there anything else I can try?

 

[J. Danniel]

HOLD....EVERYTHING....

I think I did it.

I think I got the hard drive recognized.

I think I figured out the problem.

The package Carey recommended...there are two options for it when you
select F6.

I think you have to install BOTH options, because the first by itself
didn't work, and the second by itself didn't work--not for me.

The first is for RAID and the second is for...I think ACHI if I'm not
mistaken.

I went ahead and selected the first one, then the second one as well,
and the hard drive appeared to be recognized when I tried this.

Okay...I have Windows 2000, I have the Service Pack, and various
drivers.

I'll try installing Windows 2000 and adding the various drivers I need
for my video card, sound card, etc.

It might take me a day or so to follow-up, but I'll post another
message here, as soon as I know one way or another whether I've met
with success.

Sorry about being a long-winded pest, but right now I'm pretty
excited.


To reply via e-mail,
please remove the number 5 from
the reply address.
Thank you very much. J. Danniel

 

[Dave Patrick]

Download the files from Dell or the controller manufacturer's web site.

--
Regards,

Dave Patrick ....Please no email replies - reply in newsgroup.
Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft MVP [Windows]
http://www.microsoft.com/protect

:
| Dave,
|
| I downloaded and tried the package Carey suggested in the first reply
| of this thread, but it didn't work. The hard drive is still not being
| recognized.
|
| If that package didn't work, then what else can I try?

 

[Michael Stevens]

In

HOLD....EVERYTHING....

I think I did it.

I think I got the hard drive recognized.

I think I figured out the problem.

The package Carey recommended...there are two options for it when you
select F6.

I think you have to install BOTH options, because the first by itself
didn't work, and the second by itself didn't work--not for me.

The first is for RAID and the second is for...I think ACHI if I'm not
mistaken.

I went ahead and selected the first one, then the second one as well,
and the hard drive appeared to be recognized when I tried this.

Okay...I have Windows 2000, I have the Service Pack, and various
drivers.

I'll try installing Windows 2000 and adding the various drivers I need
for my video card, sound card, etc.

It might take me a day or so to follow-up, but I'll post another
message here, as soon as I know one way or another whether I've met
with success.

Sorry about being a long-winded pest, but right now I'm pretty
excited.


To reply via e-mail,
please remove the number 5 from
the reply address.
Thank you very much. J. Danniel

Good, glad it is looking up for you, I couldn't understand why the original
post from Carey wasn't working. I looked for another solution and could only
find the one Carey referenced.
Thanks and please post back the follow-up results, it really helps define
how we reply to problems and ask questions.
--
Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
(e-mail address removed)
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
For a better newsgroup experience. Setup a newsreader.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/outlookexpressnewreader.htm

 

[J. Danniel]

Okay...here's how things turned out, if anyone is interested.

Windows 2000 successfully installed on my computer. I had to add a
bunch of things, such as DirectX, XML, and various drivers, but I
expected that. It worked fine.

Then, glutton for punishment that I am, I started all over again, this
time with Windows XP Professional.

The hard drive was recognized; the entire setup process worked.
However, upon rebooting after the installation process completed, I
got a Blue Screen of Death (actually, it was black) that said the
usual stuff about something being wrong, to check for viruses, if this
is the first time you've encountered this error, etc.

I tried numerous times to overcome this screen, but could not. So,
Windows XP Pro never got working. It might have been due to using
both RAID controller drivers from the floppy, instead of just one, but
as I said in a previous e-mail, using just one or the other didn't
work.

So, instead of going all the way back to Windows 2000, I went ahead
and installed Windows XP Home that came with the Dell.

But the important issue here is this: I got Windows 2000 installed,
thanks to Carey's URL.

Now, if anyone has any suggestions on how to get XP Pro going without
that major error screen, I'm all ears, although I am in no real need
of XP Pro. Windows XP Home is perfectly satisfactory for my needs
now.

Thanks again, everyone! Jd