can't partition/format because windows setup doesn't get quite far enough

[JethroUK©]

i have a new machine with x2 300 gig sata drives (i don't know what 'sata'
means)

windows xp failed during setup telling me there was something wrong with the
drives and to run FDisk on them which i can't do (no floppy) - i understood
the drives would be formatted but i can't partition/format because windows
setup doesn't get quite far enough

is there something wrong with the machine ( i have a week to return it) or
does this sound familiar and is there a cure?

 

[Og]

i have a new machine with x2 300 gig sata drives (i don't know what 'sata'
means)

windows xp failed during setup telling me there was something wrong with
the
drives and to run FDisk on them which i can't do (no floppy) - i
understood
the drives would be formatted but i can't partition/format because windows
setup doesn't get quite far enough is there something wrong with the
machine ( i have a week to return it) or does this sound familiar and is
there a cure?

If you do not know what SATA is, I recommend that you seriously consider
paying some to install Windows for you.
Below please find a link to Step-by-Step instructions for installing Windows
XP,
as well as links which will provide you with definitions of SATA.

How to perform a clean install of Windows XP: Step-by-Step
[courtesy of MVP Michael Stevens]

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

SATA:
The definitive definition:
http://www.serialata.org/

The Wikipedia definition:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_ATA

Steve

 

[dobey]

i have a new machine with x2 300 gig sata drives (i don't know what 'sata'
means)

windows xp failed during setup telling me there was something wrong with
the
drives and to run FDisk on them which i can't do (no floppy) - i
understood
the drives would be formatted but i can't partition/format because
windows
setup doesn't get quite far enough is there something wrong with the
machine ( i have a week to return it) or does this sound familiar and is
there a cure?

If you do not know what SATA is, I recommend that you seriously consider
paying some to install Windows for you.
Below please find a link to Step-by-Step instructions for installing
Windows XP,
as well as links which will provide you with definitions of SATA.

How to perform a clean install of Windows XP: Step-by-Step
[courtesy of MVP Michael Stevens]

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

SATA:
The definitive definition:
http://www.serialata.org/

The Wikipedia definition:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_ATA

Steve

Well actually he doesn't need to know what SATA means, but what he does need
to know is does his motherboard need drivers so windows can be installed on
them. If his motherboard has a third party SATA controller he will probably
need them.

The fact he is getting that far in the setup suggests he doesn't.

To the OP;

What's the exact message. Are you sure it says FDisk, and not CHKDSK.

You don't say if these are "new" unused components or a "new" second hand
machine.

It sounds like setup is testing the drives for errors and finding something
it doesn't like.

You could use something like BootitNG and delete the existing partition,
then try the install again - XP will allow you to create a new partition
during setup. If you know what brand the drives are you can usually download
some bootable test disks to check the drives.

Does the XP setup disk have SP2 integated? (could make a difference)

If you can't answer, or don't know how to find the answers for these
questions, take it back to the person you purchased it from and ask them to
install XP.

 

[Lil' Dave]

i have a new machine with x2 300 gig sata drives (i don't know what 'sata'
means)

windows xp failed during setup telling me there was something wrong with
the
drives and to run FDisk on them which i can't do (no floppy) - i
understood
the drives would be formatted but i can't partition/format because windows
setup doesn't get quite far enough

is there something wrong with the machine ( i have a week to return it) or
does this sound familiar and is there a cure?

Dobey pointed something out that I overlooked.
Note the spelling difference between fdisk and chkdsk

Depending on the PC, SATA has multiple ways to be setup. The original was
SATA as the tertiary controller, with the first two ide controllers as
primary and secondary. Only two can function at any one time. The way to
get the SATA to boot is to remap it as the primary ide controller, leaving
the ide enabled, and nothing connecting to the primary ide controller. This
is done in the bios.

The second is a regular SATA controller taking the lead, or perhaps no ide
onboard at all.

The third is a SATA RAID controller.

Which do you have?
Dave

 

[Bush is the dummy one?]

i have a new machine with x2 300 gig sata drives (i don't know what
'sata'
means)

windows xp failed during setup telling me there was something wrong with
the
drives and to run FDisk on them which i can't do (no floppy) - i
understood
the drives would be formatted but i can't partition/format because
windows
setup doesn't get quite far enough is there something wrong with the
machine ( i have a week to return it) or does this sound familiar and is
there a cure?

If you do not know what SATA is, I recommend that you seriously consider
paying some to install Windows for you.
Below please find a link to Step-by-Step instructions for installing
Windows XP,
as well as links which will provide you with definitions of SATA.

How to perform a clean install of Windows XP: Step-by-Step
[courtesy of MVP Michael Stevens]

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html

SATA:
The definitive definition:
http://www.serialata.org/

The Wikipedia definition:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_ATA

Steve

Well actually he doesn't need to know what SATA means, but what he does
need
to know is does his motherboard need drivers so windows can be installed
on
them. If his motherboard has a third party SATA controller he will
probably
need them.

The fact he is getting that far in the setup suggests he doesn't.

To the OP;

What's the exact message. Are you sure it says FDisk, and not CHKDSK.

You don't say if these are "new" unused components or a "new" second hand
machine.

It sounds like setup is testing the drives for errors and finding
something
it doesn't like.

You could use something like BootitNG and delete the existing partition,
then try the install again - XP will allow you to create a new partition
during setup. If you know what brand the drives are you can usually
download
some bootable test disks to check the drives.

Does the XP setup disk have SP2 integated? (could make a difference)

If you can't answer, or don't know how to find the answers for these
questions, take it back to the person you purchased it from and ask them
to
install XP.

I agree, maybe the poster doesn't know how to word/describe the problem.

 

[PA Bear]

Crossposting to a Japanese-language newsgroup elimintated.

Did WinXP come pre-installed on the machine or did you purchase it without
an Operating System? Assuming the latter, where did you get the copy of
WinXP that you're attempting to install?

 

[JethroUK©]

|
| | > | >>i have a new machine with x2 300 gig sata drives (i don't know what
'sata'
| >> means)
| >>
| >> windows xp failed during setup telling me there was something wrong
with
| >> the
| >> drives and to run FDisk on them which i can't do (no floppy) - i
| >> understood
| >> the drives would be formatted but i can't partition/format because
| >> windows
| >> setup doesn't get quite far enough is there something wrong with the
| >> machine ( i have a week to return it) or does this sound familiar and
is
| >> there a cure?
| >>
| > If you do not know what SATA is, I recommend that you seriously consider
| > paying some to install Windows for you.
| > Below please find a link to Step-by-Step instructions for installing
| > Windows XP,
| > as well as links which will provide you with definitions of SATA.
| >
| > How to perform a clean install of Windows XP: Step-by-Step
| > [courtesy of MVP Michael Stevens]
| >
| > http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
| >
| > SATA:
| > The definitive definition:
| > http://www.serialata.org/
| >
| > The Wikipedia definition:
| > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_ATA
| >
| > Steve
| >
| >
|
| Well actually he doesn't need to know what SATA means, but what he does
need
| to know is does his motherboard need drivers so windows can be installed
on
| them. If his motherboard has a third party SATA controller he will
probably
| need them.
|
| The fact he is getting that far in the setup suggests he doesn't.
|
| To the OP;
|
| What's the exact message. Are you sure it says FDisk, and not CHKDSK.

it actually says - "Check for viruses on your computer. Remove any newly
installed hard drives or hard drive controllers. Check your hard drive to
make sure it is properly configured and terminated. Run chkdisk/f to check
for hard drive corruption, and then restart your computer."


|
| You don't say if these are "new" unused components or a "new" second hand
| machine.
|

it's a refurbished machine

| It sounds like setup is testing the drives for errors and finding
something
| it doesn't like.
|

i tried changing the drive type from 'raid' to 'ide' and windows did get as
far as letting me partition the drives but only recognised them as having
130 gig ish - i'm beginning to wonder whether Win XP supports drives this
size (320gig) - i know you're thinking why was is set to raid anyway - and i
don't know why and i don't have a raid driver which i've found out it would
need

| You could use something like BootitNG and delete the existing partition,
| then try the install again - XP will allow you to create a new partition
| during setup. If you know what brand the drives are you can usually
download
| some bootable test disks to check the drives.
|
| Does the XP setup disk have SP2 integated? (could make a difference)
|

no - it's Win XP Pro (no service packs)

 

[DL]

Your Winxp cd is only detecting 130gb because its pre sp1 and as such doesnt
support Big Lba.
In order to utilise the entire hd, on installation, you would need to create
a slipstreamed winxp cd containing latest sp

|
| | > | >>i have a new machine with x2 300 gig sata drives (i don't know what
'sata'
| >> means)
| >>
| >> windows xp failed during setup telling me there was something wrong
with
| >> the
| >> drives and to run FDisk on them which i can't do (no floppy) - i
| >> understood
| >> the drives would be formatted but i can't partition/format because
| >> windows
| >> setup doesn't get quite far enough is there something wrong with the
| >> machine ( i have a week to return it) or does this sound familiar and
is
| >> there a cure?
| >>
| > If you do not know what SATA is, I recommend that you seriously
consider
| > paying some to install Windows for you.
| > Below please find a link to Step-by-Step instructions for installing
| > Windows XP,
| > as well as links which will provide you with definitions of SATA.
| >
| > How to perform a clean install of Windows XP: Step-by-Step
| > [courtesy of MVP Michael Stevens]
| >
| > http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
| >
| > SATA:
| > The definitive definition:
| > http://www.serialata.org/
| >
| > The Wikipedia definition:
| > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_ATA
| >
| > Steve
| >
| >
|
| Well actually he doesn't need to know what SATA means, but what he does
need
| to know is does his motherboard need drivers so windows can be installed
on
| them. If his motherboard has a third party SATA controller he will
probably
| need them.
|
| The fact he is getting that far in the setup suggests he doesn't.
|
| To the OP;
|
| What's the exact message. Are you sure it says FDisk, and not CHKDSK.

it actually says - "Check for viruses on your computer. Remove any newly
installed hard drives or hard drive controllers. Check your hard drive to
make sure it is properly configured and terminated. Run chkdisk/f to check
for hard drive corruption, and then restart your computer."


|
| You don't say if these are "new" unused components or a "new" second
hand
| machine.
|

it's a refurbished machine

| It sounds like setup is testing the drives for errors and finding
something
| it doesn't like.
|

i tried changing the drive type from 'raid' to 'ide' and windows did get
as
far as letting me partition the drives but only recognised them as having
130 gig ish - i'm beginning to wonder whether Win XP supports drives this
size (320gig) - i know you're thinking why was is set to raid anyway - and
i
don't know why and i don't have a raid driver which i've found out it
would
need

| You could use something like BootitNG and delete the existing partition,
| then try the install again - XP will allow you to create a new partition
| during setup. If you know what brand the drives are you can usually
download
| some bootable test disks to check the drives.
|
| Does the XP setup disk have SP2 integated? (could make a difference)
|

no - it's Win XP Pro (no service packs)

 

[Bush is the dummy one?]

|
| | > | >>i have a new machine with x2 300 gig sata drives (i don't know what
'sata'
| >> means)
| >>
| >> windows xp failed during setup telling me there was something wrong
with
| >> the
| >> drives and to run FDisk on them which i can't do (no floppy) - i
| >> understood
| >> the drives would be formatted but i can't partition/format because
| >> windows
| >> setup doesn't get quite far enough is there something wrong with the
| >> machine ( i have a week to return it) or does this sound familiar and
is
| >> there a cure?
| >>
| > If you do not know what SATA is, I recommend that you seriously
consider
| > paying some to install Windows for you.
| > Below please find a link to Step-by-Step instructions for installing
| > Windows XP,
| > as well as links which will provide you with definitions of SATA.
| >
| > How to perform a clean install of Windows XP: Step-by-Step
| > [courtesy of MVP Michael Stevens]
| >
| > http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
| >
| > SATA:
| > The definitive definition:
| > http://www.serialata.org/
| >
| > The Wikipedia definition:
| > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_ATA
| >
| > Steve
| >
| >
|
| Well actually he doesn't need to know what SATA means, but what he does
need
| to know is does his motherboard need drivers so windows can be installed
on
| them. If his motherboard has a third party SATA controller he will
probably
| need them.
|
| The fact he is getting that far in the setup suggests he doesn't.
|
| To the OP;
|
| What's the exact message. Are you sure it says FDisk, and not CHKDSK.

it actually says - "Check for viruses on your computer. Remove any newly
installed hard drives or hard drive controllers. Check your hard drive to
make sure it is properly configured and terminated. Run chkdisk/f to check
for hard drive corruption, and then restart your computer."

That's what I thought, I don't think you any major problem, what you have is
a misconfiguration in your BIOS. For some reasons, your BIOS is seeing your
HD geographic map different from what you are telling it, check jumpers,
avoid manual config, use their autodetect, if you have any other non SATA HD
involved with your configuration properly as mentioned.

 

[JethroUK©]

I hope you're right - i'm going to read how to create an Sp2 slipstreamed CD
and maybe that would work

| Your Winxp cd is only detecting 130gb because its pre sp1 and as such
doesnt
| support Big Lba.
| In order to utilise the entire hd, on installation, you would need to
create
| a slipstreamed winxp cd containing latest sp
|
| | >
| > | > |
| > | | > | > | > | >>i have a new machine with x2 300 gig sata drives (i don't know what
| > 'sata'
| > | >> means)
| > | >>
| > | >> windows xp failed during setup telling me there was something wrong
| > with
| > | >> the
| > | >> drives and to run FDisk on them which i can't do (no floppy) - i
| > | >> understood
| > | >> the drives would be formatted but i can't partition/format because
| > | >> windows
| > | >> setup doesn't get quite far enough is there something wrong with
the
| > | >> machine ( i have a week to return it) or does this sound familiar
and
| > is
| > | >> there a cure?
| > | >>
| > | > If you do not know what SATA is, I recommend that you seriously
| > consider
| > | > paying some to install Windows for you.
| > | > Below please find a link to Step-by-Step instructions for installing
| > | > Windows XP,
| > | > as well as links which will provide you with definitions of SATA.
| > | >
| > | > How to perform a clean install of Windows XP: Step-by-Step
| > | > [courtesy of MVP Michael Stevens]
| > | >
| > | > http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html
| > | >
| > | > SATA:
| > | > The definitive definition:
| > | > http://www.serialata.org/
| > | >
| > | > The Wikipedia definition:
| > | > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Serial_ATA
| > | >
| > | > Steve
| > | >
| > | >
| > |
| > | Well actually he doesn't need to know what SATA means, but what he
does
| > need
| > | to know is does his motherboard need drivers so windows can be
installed
| > on
| > | them. If his motherboard has a third party SATA controller he will
| > probably
| > | need them.
| > |
| > | The fact he is getting that far in the setup suggests he doesn't.
| > |
| > | To the OP;
| > |
| > | What's the exact message. Are you sure it says FDisk, and not CHKDSK.
| >
| > it actually says - "Check for viruses on your computer. Remove any newly
| > installed hard drives or hard drive controllers. Check your hard drive
to
| > make sure it is properly configured and terminated. Run chkdisk/f to
check
| > for hard drive corruption, and then restart your computer."
| >
| >
| > |
| > | You don't say if these are "new" unused components or a "new" second
| > hand
| > | machine.
| > |
| >
| > it's a refurbished machine
| >
| > | It sounds like setup is testing the drives for errors and finding
| > something
| > | it doesn't like.
| > |
| >
| > i tried changing the drive type from 'raid' to 'ide' and windows did get
| > as
| > far as letting me partition the drives but only recognised them as
having
| > 130 gig ish - i'm beginning to wonder whether Win XP supports drives
this
| > size (320gig) - i know you're thinking why was is set to raid anyway -
and
| > i
| > don't know why and i don't have a raid driver which i've found out it
| > would
| > need
| >
| > | You could use something like BootitNG and delete the existing
partition,
| > | then try the install again - XP will allow you to create a new
partition
| > | during setup. If you know what brand the drives are you can usually
| > download
| > | some bootable test disks to check the drives.
| > |
| > | Does the XP setup disk have SP2 integated? (could make a difference)
| > |
| >
| > no - it's Win XP Pro (no service packs)
| >
| >
| >
| >
|
|