[SOLVED] Formatting

Erock801 · 09-24-2009, 04:45 PM

I am trying to format a 250gb hard drive in a dell dimension 9100 when I try to run my win xp pro cd to reformat it tells me it can not see any drives.
I have ran spinrite and it sees the drive although after it finished I had to reboot the computer by pressing the power button cause my esc or space bar would not work. So I never knew what the outcome was. Is there something I am missing to make the win xp cd see the drive?

I have also tried a raid boot diskette but since there isnt dual drives I thought it was pointless but worth a try.

**simpswr** · 09-24-2009, 06:06 PM

and welcome to the Forum

you are installing XP on a SATA drive, there is an additional step:

http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how...ws_xp_on_a.htm

However, Most newer BIOS allow an Alternate method for SATA . . Go into the bios and check the "Sata Operation" setting,

change it to "Raid Autodetect/ATA if it is not already. Now try to install XP ( could be IDE Mode, Compatibility Mode or Legacy Mode - different BIOS use different terms )

some will say IDE instead of ATA)

If there are no such settings you'll need to slipstream the sata drivers on the XP CD, follow the instructions in this guide :

http://www.digitgeek.com/how-to-slip...rs-into-xp-cd/

also . . If you have the Dell System restore ( not all Dells do ) you can use that and you will not need a install CD

http://support.dell.com/support/topi...t?docid=181316

If not, You can get a reinstallation guide specific to your Dell here

Erock801 · 09-24-2009, 06:42 PM

Hey thanks alot I have been pulling my hair out trying to figure out why it wouldnt see the drive. I just had to change the sata operation settings

**simpswr** · 09-25-2009, 07:22 AM

Great!!

09-24-2009, 04:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
Erock801 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2 OS: xp pro service pack 2	[SOLVED] Formatting I am trying to format a 250gb hard drive in a dell dimension 9100 when I try to run my win xp pro cd to reformat it tells me it can not see any drives. I have ran spinrite and it sees the drive although after it finished I had to reboot the computer by pressing the power button cause my esc or space bar would not work. So I never knew what the outcome was. Is there something I am missing to make the win xp cd see the drive? I have also tried a raid boot diskette but since there isnt dual drives I thought it was pointless but worth a try.

09-24-2009, 06:06 PM	#2 (permalink)
simpswr Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 12,280 OS: XP, Vista, Win 7	Re: Formatting and welcome to the Forum you are installing XP on a SATA drive, there is an additional step: http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how...ws_xp_on_a.htm However, Most newer BIOS allow an Alternate method for SATA . . Go into the bios and check the "*Sata Operation" setting, change it to "Raid Autodetect/ATA* if it is not already. Now try to install XP ( could be IDE Mode, Compatibility Mode or Legacy Mode - different BIOS use different terms ) some will say *IDE* instead of *ATA) If there are no such settings you'll need to slipstream the sata drivers on the XP CD, follow the instructions in this guide : http://www.digitgeek.com/how-to-slip...rs-into-xp-cd/ also . . If you have the Dell System restore ( not all Dells do ) you can use that and you will not need a install CD http://support.dell.com/support/topi...t?docid=181316 If not, You can get a reinstallation guide specific to your Dell here __________________ Rich* MemTest86 \| BenchTest \| Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help How to post a Screen Shot \| PC running slow? Last edited by simpswr; 09-24-2009 at 06:07 PM.

09-24-2009, 06:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
Erock801 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2 OS: xp pro service pack 2	Re: Formatting Hey thanks alot I have been pulling my hair out trying to figure out why it wouldnt see the drive. I just had to change the sata operation settings

09-25-2009, 07:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
simpswr Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: May 2007 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 12,280 OS: XP, Vista, Win 7	Re: Formatting Great!! __________________ Rich MemTest86 \| BenchTest \| Virus/Trojan/Spyware Help How to post a Screen Shot \| PC running slow?