Viewing 16 posts - 1 through 16 (of 16 total)
  • Laptop hard drive issue
  • Mounty_73
    Full Member

    I have a Lenevo laptop, the hard drive has been replaced.

    The problem is that when going into the BIOS, the hard drive is detected, however when attempting to reinstall XP & format the drive, it cannot find the hard drive.

    Any ideas ?

    Cheers

    Cougar
    Full Member

    SATA drivers?

    Got the model number and a rough age of the laptop?

    Have you got an option in BIOS to disable AHCI?

    mtb_rossi
    Free Member

    Yep. Sounds like you have a SATA interface for your hard disk thats not recognised by windows.

    Hmm this could be fun installing windows since the SATA drivers are normally provided on a floppy or CD. Windows will only accept drivers on a floppy, unless you can specify a USB memory key as drive A: You press F2 at the loading screen to allow you to add additional drivers.

    Your only option would be to build a custom install which includes the drivers. Normally known as a streamline installation. This basically takes the contents of the install CD, adds the drivers, then creates an ISO for you to burn on to CD again for installation.

    Have fun 😀

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    Mounty_73
    Full Member

    Good man! Cheers Cougar 🙂

    Cougar
    Full Member

    Normally known as a streamline installation.

    Slipstream, you mean.

    Can't say as I've tried it with XP, but I didn't think you were just locked to the A: drive for loading mass storage drivers on boot. I might have a play with that later just to check, see if it lets you swap CDs.

    Cougar
    Full Member

    Good man! Cheers Cougar

    Hm? Sorted it?

    mtb_rossi
    Free Member

    Yeah thats it. Its been a while since I did that.

    I'm pretty sure it won't let you specify any other drive apart from A:

    mtb_rossi
    Free Member

    Ahhh I hate sites that won't let you use the back button!

    Mounty_73
    Full Member

    Yes, it has now found the HD and XP is being installed.

    Cougar
    Full Member

    Last time I had to load external drivers on an install, it was NT4. (-: I'd have to try it to be sure, you could well be right.

    If AHCI was previosuly enabled, once you've installed XP you should be able to switch it back on after you've installed all the Lenovo drivers properly. Theoretically, anyway.

    Cougar
    Full Member

    Yes, it has now found the HD and XP is being installed.

    \o/

    mtb_rossi
    Free Member

    Happy days!

    Mounty_73
    Full Member

    Cheers guys! 🙂

    Forget the IT sites/forums…..ask the STW massive !

    Cougar
    Full Member

    I do wonder what would happen if you went to somewhere like bleepingcomputer.com and asked them for advice on what to do about a creaking bottom bracket…

    mtb_rossi
    Free Member

    Haha.

Viewing 16 posts - 1 through 16 (of 16 total)

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