Originally posted by: DLeRium
Windows XP installation will not be good unless you have SP2 slipstreamed in. You cannot detect more than 137 GB apparently in Windows, so I was not allowed to partition my 250 gb hard drive correctly.
Use the CD those manufacturers gave you or go download the utilities online. Reformat and partition using that utility. When you install windows, ignore the fact if some partition is not displayed. Once you install SP1/2 you can see it again.
My case: I had a 250 gb partitioend 16/16/100/100 using Seagate tools. Upon installation of windows, I saw only 16/16/100. Once I installed SP2 the last partition showed up =).
Yup...just did this over the weekend, so I went through the same thing.
I bought a new Dell 9100 (with a 160GB SATA HDD) and wanted to format and clean install Win XP Pro.
Problem #1:
When I inserted and booted from my Win XP Pro CD (no SP included) it would begin to load the files it needed and try to get to the setup screen, but right before it got there I got a BSOD STOP ERROR: 0x00000007 regarding pci.sys. I then realized there are quite a few new components in my computer that the original Win XP Pro CD may not be adequate for. So I decided to slipstream SP2 onto my Windows XP Pro CD.
Much better...got to the install setup screen when booting off the new CD. BUT...
Problem #2:
My new SATA HDD wasn't recognized by Windows. When I chose any option (ie install Windows) it would complain that it couldn't find a HDD). So I ended up having to get my mobo SATA controller driver on floppy (I think it must be floppy because the stupid Windows CD only accepts drivers from letter A for some reason, unless your BIOS could change this) and install them via F6 when the Windows boot CD loads.
Everything works now.
So long story short:
Create a slipstreamed Win XP disc with SP2.
Get your mobo's SATA controller's drivers on floppy.
If that doesn't work, start checking your hardware.