Installing clean xp on a sata drive. Problem copying sata drivers

19053 Views 31 Replies 5 Participants Last post by big_allen, Nov 24, 2008

philthy

Discussion Starter · May 23, 2008

Computer Specification
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
M/B Model Name :Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H(rev.1.0)
--------------------------
M/B Rev : .1.0
BIOS Ver : F4
Serial No. : 080840002666
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CPU Brand : AMD Model : Phenom 9550 Speed : 2.2GHz
Memory Brand : OCZ Type : DDRII
Memory Size : 4GB Speed : 800MHz
Power Supply : 700 W

I am trying to set up a fresh install of windows XP on my 400GB Samsung hard drive.

OnChip SATA controller is "Enabled"

I have set OnChip SATA type to AHCI and connected my HD to the SATAII0 and my DVD drive to SATAII1.

I have downloaded the file:

"motherboard_driver_sata_amd_bootdisk_7series" from the mobo website and extracted the files to a floppy disc.

I have booted my computer with my windows XP disc in. Then pressed F6 when prompted. I then put my floppy disc in with the drivers on and press "S" I then select "AMD AHCI Compatible RAID Controller-x86 platform" and press enter.

I then press enter to setup windows and select where i want to install windows (the only drive I have in the computer) It formats the drive, but then when copying files over it gives me the message:

"Setup cannot copy the file ahcix86.sys"

another floppy with another version says

"Setup cannot copy the file ahcix86.inf"

If i select "AMD AHCI Compatible RAID Controller-x64 platform" I get the message:

"The file ahcix64.sys could not be loaded.
The error is 4"

Trying a different floppy i get the message:

"file †achix.sys could not be loaded.
The error is 18"

Basically I cannot load the SATA drivers for this motherboard to enable me a clean install of Windows XP on my SATA hard drive.

Is the driver on your site the most up to date ? Is there a chance it could be corrupt some how ? Please can you help ?

Thanks

Phil

I posted this on the gigabyte website and they sent me a reply back

"Hi,

It doesn’t support SATA HDD and SATA Optical Device on AHCI mode. IDE mode for SATA controller is not limited on above condition"

Does this mean I have to set my sata ports to act as native IDE's ? (I can either have RAID, (which i dont want only have 1 drive), AHCI and IDE)

Doesnt this defy the point of having sata drives if your using them as IDE's ?

Cheers to anyone who can assist :grin:

Phil

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Houndog777

· #2 · May 30, 2008

HI, the drive must be formatted before installing the drivers from the floppies.
If you install drivers and then format a drive, then obviously those drivers are now gone.

philthy

Discussion Starter · #3 · May 30, 2008

So I should set my sata ports to native IDE first just to format my hard drive. Then when it's formatted change the ports to AHCI then try and load the drivers from my floppy ?

philthy

Discussion Starter · #4 · May 30, 2008

still doesnt work still get

"The file ahcix64.sys could not be loaded.
The error is 4"

what benefits are there too using ahci ? does it matter using sata drives in native IDE mode ? :4-dontkno

Houndog777

· #5 · May 30, 2008

Hi, I just been reading the manual for your board and found this...
SATA Mode Message:
"SATA is found running at IDE MODE!"
When the motherboard is set to its default values, the monitor will display a message during the
POST, telling you the SATA controller is running at IDE mode. The message that follows asks if you
want to change it to AHCI mode and enable hot plug functionality for the SATA connectors.
Press <Y> to enable AHCI mode or <N> to continue IDE mode operation and stop showing this
message again.
Note: This message will appear again at next boot if you do not respond YES or NO in time.

Do you have the manual or would you like the link for download?

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philthy

Discussion Starter · #6 · May 30, 2008 (Edited)

Yes I do have the manual and know about that message, I pressed <Y> to enable AHCI already :4-dontkno

Houndog777

· #7 · May 31, 2008

Are you still getting the message...
"The file ahcix64.sys could not be loaded.
The error is 4"

philthy

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jun 1, 2008

yup

Houndog777

· #9 · Jun 1, 2008

With the bios at its defaults, format your hard drive, if you have to, and I don't see why you continually have to format a drive unless there's already an os on it, and then STOP.

Enter bios and enable AHCI/NCQ and save an exit.

Now begin the installation of XP stopping only at the F6 to install drivers from your floppies.
Continue with the installation, remembering there is no need to format your drive every time you install an OS; just let the install get on with it.

At first boot, if told your running in ide and wish to change to AHCI, then obviously select yes.

philthy

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jun 1, 2008

I start the installation of XP, press F6 then S then locate the drivers on the floppy and i get..............

"The file ahcix64.sys could not be loaded.
The error is 4

Setup cannot continue. Press any key to exit" :normal:

Houndog777

· #11 · Jun 1, 2008

Hi M8,
"the error is 4" can mean that the hardware you are installing is incompatible with XP or damaged.
It could also mean the ahcix64 file is corrupted.
I'm just awake, but I'll delve more into this later and get back to you, ok?

Houndog777

· #12 · Jun 1, 2008

BTW.............i take it you are installing 64bit Windows?
Otherwise it would be ahcix86.

philthy

Discussion Starter · #13 · Jun 1, 2008

Houndog777 said:
Hi M8,
"the error is 4" can mean that the hardware you are installing is incompatible with XP or damaged.
It could also mean the ahcix64 file is corrupted.
I'm just awake, but I'll delve more into this later and get back to you, ok?

ok thanx a lot, i appreciate your time and help :wink:

Houndog777

· #14 · Jun 1, 2008

Are you installing 64bit XP?

philthy

Discussion Starter · #15 · Jun 2, 2008

sorry missed your 2nd post yes am doin 64 bit

Houndog777

· #16 · Jun 2, 2008

http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scr...XP+Professional&lang=eng&strOSs=44&submit=Go!

Create the driver floppy disk using the utility you just downloaded, connect the SATA drive to the ICH6 controller, set AHCI for your ICH6 controller in BIOS, then set the system to boot from CD-ROM, set your drive connected to the ICH controller, insert your Windows CD in the CD-ROM, boot from the Windows install CD, hit F6 when prompted at the bottom of the screen (almost immediately after setup begins), provide the floppy you created with the Intel F6 disk creator. Windows setup should continue normally.

philthy

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jun 2, 2008 (Edited)

what am i downloading from that page ?

Houndog777

· #18 · Jun 2, 2008 (Edited)

Hi Phil
It's a good job you're sensible, that advice was meant for someone else with similar probs, but with an Intel pc. All I can do is apologise and hope you accept my apology.

After setting your BIOS to AHCI; You should follow carefully the instructions in section 5-1-2 of your Manual, before going on to the actual installation of the AHCI drivers covered in section 5-1-3.
When you receive the errors that you have been receiving, you should make a fresh set of Floppies from your Motherboard Disk.

Sorry this is taking so long, you're original post had you installing drivers first for XPx86 and then for XPx64 which confused me for a long time.
Download an updated Manual from here....
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Support/Motherboard/Manual_List.aspx

Your problems are not unique, Phil, but from what I've learned it's all about making clean and fresh floppies for the initial set-up.
Good Luck.
Shame you aint installing Vista, you wouldn't need to do all this. lol.

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Houndog777

· #19 · Jun 2, 2008

Phil,
please also ensure your HDD is jumpered correctly.

philthy

Discussion Starter · #20 · Jun 2, 2008

Houndog777 said:
Hi Phil
It's a good job you're sensible, that advice was meant for someone else with similar probs, but with an Intel pc. All I can do is apologise and hope you accept my apology.

After setting your BIOS to AHCI; You should follow carefully the instructions in section 5-1-2 of your Manual, before going on to the actual installation of the AHCI drivers covered in section 5-1-3.
When you receive the errors that you have been receiving, you should make a fresh set of Floppies from your Motherboard Disk.

Sorry this is taking so long, you're original post had you installing drivers first for XPx86 and then for XPx64 which confused me for a long time.
Download an updated Manual from here....
http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Support/Motherboard/Manual_List.aspx

Your problems are not unique, Phil, but from what I've learned it's all about making clean and fresh floppies for the initial set-up.
Good Luck.
Shame you aint installing Vista, you wouldn't need to do all this. lol.

I wasnt sure if some of the chips on the mobo were manufactured by intel or something like that so i needed something from intel :4-dontkno

I downloaded the driver from the gigabyte site first. http://europe.giga-byte.com/FileList/Driver/motherboard_driver_sata_amd_bootdisk_7series.exe

i extracted it to floppy. tried that with the f6

The file ahcix64.sys could not be loaded.
The error is 4

On the mobo cd there are 2 extractable files SB600.exe and SB700.exe which i think is something to do with the southbridge chipset, the spec says SB700 so tried extracting and copying this to floppy, same message as above, and just for the hell of it tried the SB600.exe and that didnt work either :4-dontkno

I thought SATA drives didnt have to be jumpered either?

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