Vista can't find my hdd (pata) - Long post, excuse me

[J.f.k.]

Hi ev'rybody.
I've tried everything but nothing...
I've got a P4 1.8GhZ, 1Gb Ram, Geforxe Fx5600.
My bios is dated 2003 (no new update is available).
On my pc I have an hdd (80gb) ata with Xp Home Ed. as o.s.
I cloned my hdd on a new disk (Maxtor Diamond 160Gb Pata - NOT Sata).
After disconnected my original drive I've checked if the new hd (160gb)
mounted as primary master - alone - works... and it do it well. (boot,
programs etc works fine).

So I've partitioned the disk leaving about 100Gb empty (unallocated space)
to install on it Windows Vista (I tried Rc1 and Rtm before to buy the
commercial edition). (The partition operation was made after tests in 2
different ways: from Partition Magic and then after reformatting, cloning
etc with Gnome GParted - Linux sw so I think there's no problem regarding
partitions)

After the "Windows is loading files" procedure, language and kb features,
product key and accepting the license it permits to install only
(obviously?) Custom Installation (Upgrade is disabled).
Ok I say: I don't want to upgrade Xp but make a Clean Vista Installation on
unallocated space so, I go on.

And here Vista can't finds drives to install itself (nothing, list is
empty).

So I've tried (without solution, always list remains empty):
1) to load controllers drivers from Xp
2) Setup my hd on bios in every way (Auto, Large, Lba, Chs, Primary Udma
disabled, Pio Disabled) (nothing)
3) Test- I've tried to install Linux on 2nd partition (maybe my system can't
support size so large but instead Linux can install without problems on 2nd
partition)
4) Start Vista Installation inside Xp - here it finds hd to install itself -
because it uses Xp drivers I guess - but after the 1st reboot I have 2
behaviours*

* First time: A message that says "Vista can't find a partion to install
itself" or similar and installation ends.
2nd time (Yes I re-tried...): A nice Bsod tell me problem on hard disk (I
found no solution with ng, Ms support, Google...)

So: I'm sure my hd is fine, no damaged.
I guess there are problem between Vista and my ide controller but why Xp and
Linux have no problems? Which drivers Vista needs to find my hd?

Any ideas?
Thanks in advance

Ps I try (to test) to install on another disk (80gb) and Vista installs
without problems. The problem still remains on 160Gb (I repeat, that is a
Pata not Sata)

Ciao
Gianfranco

 

[Jane C]

What motherboard do you have? Which chipset does it have? Have you been to
the manufacturers site to see if they have Vista drivers available?

 

[J.f.k.]

What motherboard do you have? Which chipset does it have? Have you been
to the manufacturers site to see if they have Vista drivers available?

The chipset is :
North Bridge: Intel Brookdale i845
South Bridge: Intel 82801BA ICH2X

Main Board:
Supermicro P4SBA (6 PCI, 1 AGP Pro, 1 CNR, 3 DIMM, Audio)
http://www.supermicro.com/products/motherboard/P4/845/P4SBA+.cfm
but I can't see Vista drivers at all...

So nothing to do , I guess (I need to change my pc?)
Thanks, GF

 

[koze]

Format that partition from XP before installing Vista.
PM is not compatible with Vista and the NTFS format is not the same.
Ko.

 

[J.f.k.]

Format that partition from XP before installing Vista.
PM is not compatible with Vista and the NTFS format is not the same.
Ko.

I did from Partition Magic because Xp can't do it without lost data on first
partition; but on a second time I've tried to partition starting from a
Linux Live Cd and the problem still remains. I leave Unallocated space, no
making format of the partition.
More, I read that Vista should be find Unallocated space and don't needs
formatted partition at all (it creates itself) (maybe I mistake)

thanks
GF

 

[koze]

Correct, in XP go to diskmanager, in there you are able to create a
partition in unallocated space and choose to format it to.

Then Vista can be installed. You can do this from Vista also but need to
slect advance at the install / setup page to create a partition from there
and also format from there. Then continue. What suites you best.

Ko.

 

[J.f.k.]

Correct, in XP go to diskmanager, in there you are able to create a
partition in unallocated space and choose to format it to.

Then Vista can be installed. You can do this from Vista also but need to
slect advance at the install / setup page to create a partition from there
and also format from there. Then continue. What suites you best.

Ko.

Excuse, I didn't catch you (I'm italian, my english is so far from
perfect)

I have a 80gb with Xp (only one NTFS partition) that I'm cloning on a second
hd (160gb) . The destination disk so will be with only 1 partition too.
I have no unallocated space at this time (the partition is the total of the
size) so I'll have to "make room" with partition magic or through Linux.
But I've tried to do in both ways (I've also tried- one time - to format the
partition from Xp in NTFS after created the space) but Vista can't find
anything (no disk, no partitions).
So I guess it is something about hardware (mobo) and Vista.

Thanks
GF

 

[koze]

I think due to the cloning that the HD bootsector is not correct recognized.
You can do that using the XP CD by booting from that, going to the recovery
console and select in there fixboot if completed type fixmbr. That will
write a complete and correct bootsector and masterbootrecord to the new
drive.

What program did you use to clone the first to the second drive? Doesn't
that give a option to resize the new HD?
You can resize with PM and make the C: partition smaller (use the two
diskettes to do so!, don't install PM).
Now you can boot to XP and within XP you are able to use diskmanager to
create a new partition in the by PM cleared space. If you are able to boot
from it Vista should recognize the HD and can install.

Ko.

 

[Harald Andersen]

snip...
I have a 80gb with Xp (only one NTFS partition) that I'm cloning on a
second hd (160gb) .

Just a silly question :
Why are you cloning your XP, if you are going to install Vista on your
new drive ?
Diconnect your XP drive, install your new drive and do a clean install,
partitioning and formatting from the Vista DVD.
When all is running OK, connect your old XP drive and import your data.

/Hca

 

[Richard Urban]

If the drive is connected to an advanced ATA-100/133 controller, you "may"
have to install the necessary drivers for the O/S to see the drive. This
also may happen if the drive is connected to a similar add-in ATA card.
Early implementations of the advanced ATA protocols do not necessarily have
the necessary information encoded in the on-board chipsets.

I ran into this same problem 2-3 times. In one case I could NOT install
Windows 2000 if the drive was connected to an advanced ATA-100 port. I had
to install when the drive was connected to a standard ATA 33/66 port. Then,
after I booted into Windows 2000 I added drivers for the Promise controller
card. I then shut down the computer and switched over the ribbon cable.
After that, everything was fine.

--


Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

 

[J.f.k.]

Just a silly question :
Why are you cloning your XP, if you are going to install Vista on your new
drive ?
Diconnect your XP drive, install your new drive and do a clean install,
partitioning and formatting from the Vista DVD.
When all is running OK, connect your old XP drive and import your data.

/Hca

'cause I'm using software that doesn't works under Vista so I need to keep 2
o.s. on my computer.
I want install Vista ONLY because I need to test it for further help to my
customers and also to begin to know structure, permissions, etc...,to make
knowledge on the battlefield

And... If I connect my hd alone as primary unformatted, (160gb) (was the
first test when I bought), Vista can't find it. So I continue to say that I
don't think is a problem of partitions but something like hdd controller and
this disk and Vista.

'Bye
Ciao
GF

 

[J.f.k.]

I think due to the cloning that the HD bootsector is not correct
recognized.

But Xp boots and works fine...

You can do that using the XP CD by booting from that, going to the
recovery console and select in there fixboot if completed type fixmbr.
That will write a complete and correct bootsector and masterbootrecord to
the new drive.

What program did you use to clone the first to the second drive? Doesn't
that give a option to resize the new HD?

On my tests I've used
1) Norton Ghost
2) Acronis True Image

You can resize with PM and make the C: partition smaller (use the two
diskettes to do so!, don't install PM).

I've resized in different ways (pm, true image, linux...)

Now you can boot to XP and within XP you are able to use diskmanager to
create a new partition in the by PM cleared space. If you are able to
boot from it Vista should recognize the HD and can install.

I assure to you that with a 2nd partition (ntfs) created by Xp I have the
same problem, Vista can't find anything.

Vista never find my disk (meanwhile bios, linux and xp can do) : (when I
bought and it was clean I try to install Vista on it starting from dvd but I
had the problem from the beginning) so I don't think is a problem about
partitions...

Thanks
GF

 

[J.f.k.]

"Richard Urban"

If the drive is connected to an advanced ATA-100/133 controller, you "may"
have to install the necessary drivers for the O/S to see the drive.

Yep, my hdd is connected to primary controller (ata 100) of the mobo.
Where can I find the drivers?
On the mobo site I found only Xp,2000,98 drivers, no Vista drvrs.

This

also may happen if the drive is connected to a similar add-in ATA card.
Early implementations of the advanced ATA protocols do not necessarily
have the necessary information encoded in the on-board chipsets.

I ran into this same problem 2-3 times. In one case I could NOT install
Windows 2000 if the drive was connected to an advanced ATA-100 port. I had
to install when the drive was connected to a standard ATA 33/66 port.
Then, after I booted into Windows 2000 I added drivers for the Promise
controller card. I then shut down the computer and switched over the
ribbon cable. After that, everything was fine.

Ok but I have only 2 channels (primary and secondary) on ata100 controller
onboard...

Thanks
GF

 

[Richard Urban]

Find out the chipset information (mine was promise at the time) and see if
they have Vista drivers available.

Otherwise, do as I had to do. See if it allows you to install at least.

--


Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

 

[Richard Urban]

Opps.

I just read that you have no standard ATA ports. Unless you can get the
drivers you may be screwed. Now tell me you also have no floppy drive or
thumb drive from which to install the drivers if you do find them. (-:

--


Regards,

Richard Urban
Microsoft MVP Windows Shell/User
(For email, remove the obvious from my address)

Quote from George Ankner:
If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

 

[koze]

The only problem I can think of is Vista not recognising the chipset from
the mainboard.

I presume you have the 32 bit version of Vista? If so boot to XP and insert
the DVD in the drive, don't let it upgrade you current XP but select custom
install and point to the other partition for the install.

If you have a 64 bit version this will not work.
My last option for you to try.

Ko

 

[J.f.k.]

Opps.

I just read that you have no standard ATA ports. Unless you can get the
drivers you may be screwed. Now tell me you also have no floppy drive or
thumb drive from which to install the drivers if you do find them. (-:

eh eh eh I always have a floppy drive on my pcs )
However I know thhese drivers will be unavailable forever (my chipset is
i845 but the mobo is enough old -2001/2003 with updates bios 2003)
Thanksalot
GF
Ps I screwed with Vista so install Linux

 

[J.f.k.]

The only problem I can think of is Vista not recognising the chipset from
the mainboard.

I presume you have the 32 bit version of Vista? If so boot to XP and
insert the DVD in the drive, don't let it upgrade you current XP but
select custom install and point to the other partition for the install.

If you have a 64 bit version this will not work.
My last option for you to try.

Ko

Yes I have 32bit version and your advice is exactly what I did. (Custom) (I
can't upgrade if I would because Xp is in italian and Vista in English).
Installing from Xp was the second chance tried: it works fine until the
first reboot of Vista where it creates the menu (Setup Rollback and Earlier
Windows) . During the boot appear a nice bsod (one time a message telling me
that there aren't partition found to install Vista!)
I wrote in the first post of this thread under point 4...
I've tried everyting possible...

Thanks
ciao
GF

 

[Michal Kawecki]

The only problem I can think of is Vista not recognising the chipset
from the mainboard.

[...]
Yes I have 32bit version and your advice is exactly what I did.
(Custom) (I can't upgrade if I would because Xp is in italian and
Vista in English).
Installing from Xp was the second chance tried: it works fine until
the first reboot of Vista where it creates the menu (Setup Rollback
and Earlier Windows) . During the boot appear a nice bsod (one time a
message telling me that there aren't partition found to install
Vista!)
I wrote in the first post of this thread under point 4...
I've tried everyting possible...

Buy a new PATA disk controller .

 

[koze]

Then I must say, sorry no more ideas at my side.
Must be something have to do with the hardware settings or..
You do have the HD on the first (primairy) controller and set as master?
If that's also OK, I don't know any further.

Ko.