HELP: Unknown Disk during clean XP install

[Marcin Struzak]

Hello --

I have just upgraded my motherboard to a dual CPU. I have a single
18GB HD hanging off a SCSI U160. I boot XP Pro off the install CD,
let it load all the drivers, agree to the license, and finally, on the
partition screen, see a single option of "Unpartitioned space",
listing the full capacity of my drive. On the top of the box it says
"Unknown Disk", then "(There is no disk in this drive.)", then "17501
MB Disk 0 at Id 0 on bus 0 on adpu160m [MBR]", but since it lets me
select the "Unpartitioned space" I hit C (to create a new partition).
After I confirm the proposed size (full capacity less 8MB for
partition info), I see a partition "C: Partition1 [New (Raw)]" with
correct size and the remaining 8MB of unpartitioned space. When I
select the partition, and hit enter to proceed to the FS selection, I
get this:
To install Windows XP on the partition you selected,
Setup must write some startup files to the following disk:

Unknown Disk

However, this disk does not contain a Windows XP-compatible
partition.

To continue installing Windows XP, return to the partition selection
screen and create a Widnows XP-compatible partition on the disk
above. If these is no free space on the disk, delete an existing
partition, and then create a new one.
<<<

As you may have already guessed, when I go back, remove, confirm,
create, and confirm another partition, I get the same screen.

I tried upgrading the BIOS to no avail. Using the "Repair" console of
XP Install disk, I was able to create a partition, and even format it
(NTFS), but when I return to the setup it still says it is
incompatible! The size of the partition does not matter, tried to
create several small (2GB) partitions, same story.

I am running out of ideas, please help!

--Marcin Struzak

PS. Replies to the NG only, please!

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I have just upgraded my motherboard to a dual CPU. I have a single
18GB HD hanging off a SCSI U160. I boot XP Pro off the install CD,
let it load all the drivers, agree to the license, and finally, on the
partition screen, see a single option of "Unpartitioned space",
listing the full capacity of my drive. On the top of the box it says
"Unknown Disk", then "(There is no disk in this drive.)", then "17501
MB Disk 0 at Id 0 on bus 0 on adpu160m [MBR]", but since it lets me
select the "Unpartitioned space" I hit C (to create a new partition).
After I confirm the proposed size (full capacity less 8MB for
partition info), I see a partition "C: Partition1 [New (Raw)]" with
correct size and the remaining 8MB of unpartitioned space. When I
select the partition, and hit enter to proceed to the FS selection, I
get this:

To install Windows XP on the partition you selected,
Setup must write some startup files to the following disk:

Unknown Disk

However, this disk does not contain a Windows XP-compatible
partition.

To continue installing Windows XP, return to the partition selection
screen and create a Widnows XP-compatible partition on the disk
above. If these is no free space on the disk, delete an existing
partition, and then create a new one.
<<<

As you may have already guessed, when I go back, remove, confirm,
create, and confirm another partition, I get the same screen.

I tried upgrading the BIOS to no avail. Using the "Repair" console of
XP Install disk, I was able to create a partition, and even format it
(NTFS), but when I return to the setup it still says it is
incompatible! The size of the partition does not matter, tried to
create several small (2GB) partitions, same story.

I am running out of ideas, please help!

--Marcin Struzak

PS. Replies to the NG only, please!

The 8MB partition is just there - you cannot use it. It is for the File
System/Drive to use.

 

[Guest]

To get ride from this problem.First get the bootable of windows 98 and do debug with the help of it.For further help follow the following link
http://groups.google.com/[email protected]&rnum=2

Or you can do one thing mor

While install windows xp at the very first stage we get the f6 option .Take the help of that option.

 

[Marcin Struzak]

I have just upgraded my motherboard to a dual CPU. I have a single
18GB HD hanging off a SCSI U160. I boot XP Pro off the install CD,
let it load all the drivers, agree to the license, and finally, on the
partition screen, see a single option of "Unpartitioned space",
listing the full capacity of my drive. On the top of the box it says
"Unknown Disk", then "(There is no disk in this drive.)", then "17501
MB Disk 0 at Id 0 on bus 0 on adpu160m [MBR]", but since it lets me
select the "Unpartitioned space" I hit C (to create a new partition).
After I confirm the proposed size (full capacity less 8MB for
partition info), I see a partition "C: Partition1 [New (Raw)]" with
correct size and the remaining 8MB of unpartitioned space. When I
select the partition, and hit enter to proceed to the FS selection, I
get this:

To install Windows XP on the partition you selected,
Setup must write some startup files to the following disk:

Unknown Disk

However, this disk does not contain a Windows XP-compatible
partition.

To continue installing Windows XP, return to the partition selection
screen and create a Widnows XP-compatible partition on the disk
above. If these is no free space on the disk, delete an existing
partition, and then create a new one.
<<<

As you may have already guessed, when I go back, remove, confirm,
create, and confirm another partition, I get the same screen.

I tried upgrading the BIOS to no avail. Using the "Repair" console of
XP Install disk, I was able to create a partition, and even format it
(NTFS), but when I return to the setup it still says it is
incompatible! The size of the partition does not matter, tried to
create several small (2GB) partitions, same story.

I am running out of ideas, please help!

--Marcin Struzak

PS. Replies to the NG only, please!

The 8MB partition is just there - you cannot use it. It is for the File
System/Drive to use.

Yes, I know that; I mentioned it above just for the completeness. My
problem has nothing to do with that 8MB partition (or, as the setup
program calls it, "Unpartitioned space"). My problem is that I cannot
format any regular partition that I create, setup tells me to go back
and create an XP-compatible partition. I hope everybody got that.

I would file a ticket with MS, but they want a product ID, which can
be found when selecting "Properties" from the right-click menu of My
Computer. Duh! I don't have the bloody My Computer, 'caus the bloody
install won't work!!! Any good soul out there knows where to find the
product id on the CD?... Or maybe it is on the certificate of
authenticity?...

--Marcin Struzak

 

[Guest]

Download the Windows XP/2003 or else 2K driver for the drive controller you are using and remember to specify it right at the beginning when prompted for F6.

cheers
Greg