SATA drive problem?

[azncarjunkie]

Strange problem. When I finally got around to putting together my system I ran into a really strange problem and would definitely like to see if anyone else has had this problem or know what it is. When i plugged everything together everything seemed fine until I got to the 2nd stage of installing windows (looks like a basic window's screen and gives the countdown until it's done installing). However, when it reached the end of the countdown the computer would reboot without finishing the install!

After numerous attempts at the video, ram, power, and even mobo replacement i tried installing an IDE drive in place of my new Western Digital 160MB SATA drive and it worked!

Anyone have any ideas as to why this drive wouldn't work through the SATA port for installing windows? I just 'plugged and played' the HD through the SATA port but maybe I was suppposed to do something else? Or perhaps maybe the HD is just jacked up?

Any suggestions are much appreciated

Equipment
ECS/Sempron 3100 combo
9800pro 256mb
512 geil ram
zalman HS

 

[binksfan]

Az..

My mobo (4 sata drive ports) came with a floppy that has sata drivers on it. At the very beginning of Windows Install, watch the bottom bar, it will say something like "Press f5 key to install special drivers" (I think this is the same area of install where you would install drivers for RAID if you were using it). Then the install continues and later in the install I had to insert the floppy and install the SATA drivers before it would recognize my hard drives.

 

[imported_garbageman]

It actually already recognizes the drive and goes through the steps of installing windows (including full format). the problem only happens at the end of the windows install when it freaks out and reboots for some reason before finishing.

 

[BadThad]

What SP of Windows XP? Did you create a partition or just use the entire 160GB as a C: drive?

I highly recommend partitioning the drive, an OS drive of 80GB should be more than enough. Then use the other 80GB for data.

 

[rasczak]

also are you using a copy of windows, or a legit installation disk?