Can't Reinstall Windows XP - Why?

[Phil3]

I am trying to reinstall Windows XP on my PC. Viruses and other crap have polluted it so badly, just going to reinstall. All ready to go, CD-ROM boots first, and installed original Microsoft CD, and let her go. Screen says.

"Press any key to boot from CD".

I did that, and nothing, for 15+ minutes. I changed the keyboard to a PS/2. I disconnected the printer and any other USB device (except mouse). No change. CD works fine. The hard drive is fine. I am using the PS/2 keyboard to type this, so it works. Why won't the CD boot?

ASUS A8V motherboard
Plextor CD-ROM
Western Digital 74 GB Raptor drive

- Phil

[vintagearms]

At that point maybe going into BIOS and make the CD boot first.

[Phil3]

As my post said, CD boots first. - Phil

[r3dn3ck]

get a new cd... yours is scratched, or you might want to run memtest on it

[MrBlazito]

I am trying to reinstall Windows XP on my PC. Viruses and other crap have polluted it so badly, just going to reinstall. All ready to go, CD-ROM boots first, and installed original Microsoft CD, and let her go. Screen says.

"Press any key to boot from CD".

I did that, and nothing, for 15+ minutes. I changed the keyboard to a PS/2. I disconnected the printer and any other USB device (except mouse). No change. CD works fine. The hard drive is fine. I am using the PS/2 keyboard to type this, so it works. Why won't the CD boot?

ASUS A8V motherboard
Plextor CD-ROM
Western Digital 74 GB Raptor drive

- Phil

What do you mean by that? Are you're able to start Windows installation and then your computer freezes after the first reboot when it's done copying the installation files from the CD to your HD? Or are you unable to start the installation period?

Is your hard drive formatted?

[Phil3]

No, I can not get anything installed. The drive is not formatted. According to info I read, I can insert the XP CD and the system will boot from that, either repairing or reinstalling (formatting and partioning along the way), XP. I did manage to get past the original problem I posted. Turns out you have to hit "any key" pretty quick, or otherwise the system is unresponsive. So, it goes through on blue screens saying it is determining system hardware, and looks like it on its way to installing. But...

Now it comes up and says.

"Setup did not find any hard disk drives installed in your computer".

Really...? Windows is on it right now and I am typing this message using that very drive. More research and something about hitting F6 during the install to say I have SATA or SCSI drives. Above my head. At this point, and after fighting the thing for hours and more hours of research, I am ready to trash i and just buy a new computer. I will still try to reinstall Windows, for a bit more, but am running out of patience and time.

- Phil

What do you mean by that? Are you're able to start Windows installation and then your computer freezes after the first reboot when it's done copying the installation files from the CD to your HD? Or are you unable to start the installation period?

Is your hard drive formatted?

[Jeepers]

try a different cable on you hard drive if you are sure the drive is good?

[GUNNTZ]

Drive is corrupted beyond repair, boot sector namely??? Never seen a virus quite that aggressive but it could happen.

[Phil3]

More research and believe I found the problem...but not a good solution.

My PC uses a SATA drive interface, not IDE. Windows XP does not have drivers to support that, hence its inability now to see the hard drive at all. To fix that, I need to download drivers for the motherboard chip set for the SATA interface. Got that from VIA, but drivers won't fit on a floppy. To fix that, need to make a new XP CD with SATA drivers on it. Not doing that, just too much hassle. I am looking at Windows 7 now, but it is looking like my hardware may need upgrading and/or some is not supported. At this point, all new hardware and/or a new PC seems to be in order.

- Phil

[2DoorImpala]

You can buy a new PC for around 200-250 cheaper and way better than upgrading that old machine.

[joefrank64k]

You can buy a new PC for around 200-250 cheaper and way better than upgrading that old machine.

Check!

That A8V is socket 939, right? Athlon 64 vintage IIRC. It might be time for an upgrade!

You can get the academic edition of Win 7 professional for about $40 BTW.

[Phil3]

Everything I have read says XP does not contain SATA (serial ATA) drivers.

I am not sure what a SATA port in the BIOS looks like, but I have enabled, disabled, damn near everything and tried this umpeen times, with the same problem every time.

I read up on SlipStreaming and definitely see the benefit of this. I had not though about all the updates and my CD does not even have SP1 on it. But, from my perspective, it would be worth it to just buy Windows 7 and avoid all that effort.

- Phil

XP WILL install with SATA Hard Drives.

Go into your BIOS and make sure the SATA port that you are using is enabled.

If you really think it is drivers, look into "SlipStreaming" the XP CD with SP3.

Good Luck !

[Phil3]

Yes, socket 939, Athlon 64. And yes, I am thinking upgrade as well. I have a really nice Lian Li aluminum case which I would like to keep, so will probably just gut it and replace the internals.

- Phil

Check!

That A8V is socket 939, right? Athlon 64 vintage IIRC. It might be time for an upgrade!

You can get the academic edition of Win 7 professional for about $40 BTW.

[dhyayi]

on some motherboards there is a SATA/IDE Bios setting. Kind of "IDE Legacy Mode" or "SATA Compatible Mode" or "SATA Enhanced Mode". Kind of those.
Please try to find it on BIOS setting