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Windows Forum / Windows XP / Basics / April 2007Windows HDD Limitations?
I've purchased new base unit AM2 64X2 Athlon 4600, 2gb RAM and ASRock NF6G Mobo. I have a new SATA2 320gb HDD and have been trying to instal WinXP Pro using a 'contrived' boot CD which initially uses Win98SE ('start up' floppy disc files) and then XP Pro CD files to transfer the XP Pro files. First part of instal seems to go OK and allows me to create a Primary active dos partition but it only takes 43099Mb of the 320GB for this purpose and won't recognise the rest of the HDD. If I continue with the instal I get a message saying that "at least ???????? Mb ( I cannot recall the exact figure) is required on the partition to continue", - this quoted figure is obviously more than the 43099Mb!! I have looked at BIOS and found that LBA is on Auto and that HDD is recognised OK, SATA cables seem to be properly installed using SATAII-1 socket on Mobo and jumper on HDDhas been removed to allow 30.GB/s transfer. My question is - what is causing this to happen and how can I resolve the situation? Would be grateful for any advice. Why are you not using the winxp cd to prepare and install? http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html You may also need to use the F6 option to install sata/raid drivers from floppy, even if you do not wish to use raid. Your mobo manual will have the specific requirements > I've purchased new base unit AM2 64X2 Athlon 4600, 2gb RAM and ASRock NF6G > Mobo. I have a new SATA2 320gb HDD and have been trying to instal WinXP Pro [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > 30.GB/s transfer. My question is - what is causing this to happen and how > can I resolve the situation? Would be grateful for any advice. Thanks for prompt reply. My WinXP cd is an 'upgrade' only so can only be used on older Windows versions. As my pc is new it has no older version so I either have to load Win98 completely or used this 'contrived' cd which includes the basic files which will allow XP to install from same cd. Make sense? OK, I've managed to try again and have now gone right through to where WinXP should boot from HDD and complete installation of hardware etc i.e the final phase which pulls it all together and shows the desktop. Another problem! I now get a message saying 'Unmountable boot volume'. I've checked the the HDD which seems to have no bad bits and is fully recognized in both BIOS and whilst installing XP files. I've run chkdsk /r, /p and fixboot, as suggested in various places on the www and can think of nothing else to try. I've also looked through the BIOS and can see nothing obviously wrong. I'm now really struggling. All suggestions gratefully received . > Why are you not using the winxp cd to prepare and install? > http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html [quoted text clipped - 26 lines] >> 30.GB/s transfer. My question is - what is causing this to happen and how >> can I resolve the situation? Would be grateful for any advice. That is immaterial; You use the winxp cd to prepare the hd, ie create partition, format etc. At some point during the instal win will complain that it cannot find a qualifying version (or similar wording) at this point you replace the winxp cd with the earlier version cd in order to validate, once done switch the cd's and continue with the installation. A winxp sp1 intregrated cd is required for large disk support, if your winxp cd is earlier than sp1 you can only create a partition of 137gb http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;303013&Product=winxp The only work around for this, assuming you wish to create a larger partition is to create a slipstreamed (with latest sp) winxp cd NB I didnt read your mobo manual but some mobo's have specific requirememts for a new install using a sata hd, eg bios settings or jumpers or connecting the sata to a specific mobo connector, and lastly using F6 to install drivers from floppy. I would start again and use the winxp cd to prepare & hope your contrived cd is recognised as the qualifying version. > Thanks for prompt reply. My WinXP cd is an 'upgrade' only so can only be > used on older Windows versions. As my pc is new it has no older version so I [quoted text clipped - 43 lines] > >> 30.GB/s transfer. My question is - what is causing this to happen and how > >> can I resolve the situation? Would be grateful for any advice. Have a copy of a Windows 98 CD handy (or other qualifying upgrade product) Reboot the computer with the XP Upgrade CD As it boots press any key to boot the CD When prompted press F6 and install the drivers you have for the SATA drive When that is finished you should get to an options screen. Select the option to setup windows Accept the License Agreement When prompted for install type select the option for a new install. You may be prompted for a qualifying product. At this point remove the XP CD and insert the Windows 98 CD. Let the installer search for a few bits from the Windows 98 CD and you will be prompted to reinsert the XP CD Delete any partitions currently on the system, format as NTFS Let installer run. If you have made some 'contrived' CD do not use it. Use only a true Windows 98 CD and XP CD.  SignatureHarry Ohrn MS MVP [Shell\User] www.webtree.ca/windowsxp > Thanks for prompt reply. My WinXP cd is an 'upgrade' only so can only be > used on older Windows versions. As my pc is new it has no older version so [quoted text clipped - 47 lines] >>> how >>> can I resolve the situation? Would be grateful for any advice. check here for instructions http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_install_windows_xp_on_a.htm SignatureHarry Ohrn MS MVP [Shell\User] www.webtree.ca/windowsxp > I've purchased new base unit AM2 64X2 Athlon 4600, 2gb RAM and ASRock NF6G > Mobo. I have a new SATA2 320gb HDD and have been trying to instal WinXP [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > causing this to happen and how can I resolve the situation? Would be > grateful for any advice. Thanks Harry but I've now got passed this stage but still have problems! Everything seems to load fine and there's no problem until computer re-boots to load the desktop. At this time WINXP PRO opening window loads (with the little bar at the bottom indicating that files are loading), then it stops and there is an Unmountable boot volume' error. It suggests re-booting which I tried (both in 'normal' mode and 'safe' mode - same message appears. I'm beginning to think there's a problem with hardware somewhere but none of the help files I've seen indicate this. Any ideas please before I ring the suppliers? Many thanks, John > check here for instructions > http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_install_windows_xp_on_a.htm [quoted text clipped - 14 lines] >> transfer. My question is - what is causing this to happen and how can I >> resolve the situation? Would be grateful for any advice. That sounds like a serious hardware problem. The only times I've encountered it was with failing hard drives. SignatureHarry Ohrn MS MVP [Shell\User] www.webtree.ca/windowsxp > Thanks Harry but I've now got passed this stage but still have problems! > Everything seems to load fine and there's no problem until computer [quoted text clipped - 29 lines] >>> 30.GB/s transfer. My question is - what is causing this to happen and >>> how can I resolve the situation? Would be grateful for any advice. Its caused by the method you used to prepare the hd. ie using your contrived win98 cd > Thanks Harry but I've now got passed this stage but still have problems! > Everything seems to load fine and there's no problem until computer re-boots [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > >> transfer. My question is - what is causing this to happen and how can I > >> resolve the situation? Would be grateful for any advice. 'Fraid not. I've also downloaded the MS file to create 6 floppy 'Start-up' discs and used these in conjunction with my Upgrade CD and I get the same result! I've also deleted all partitions on the HDD and started from scratch trying various methods - all with the same result. I'm thinking my sata ii HDD is faulty cos everything seems to write to it but it cannot be accessed afterwards. Any other thoughts? Is there a way to test the HDD - I've already scanned it and no bad sectors or any other probs show up. I'm either missing something very easy or it's a very obscure problem!! John > Its caused by the method you used to prepare the hd. ie using your > contrived [quoted text clipped - 43 lines] >> >> I >> >> resolve the situation? Would be grateful for any advice. The HD manu will have a free utility > 'Fraid not. I've also downloaded the MS file to create 6 floppy 'Start-up' > discs and used these in conjunction with my Upgrade CD and I get the same [quoted text clipped - 54 lines] > >> >> I > >> >> resolve the situation? Would be grateful for any advice. Problem solved. Despite the fact that whilst loading, an incorrect HDD size is shown, there is no need, in fact one must not, load the drivers for SATA II during the install process. Once the install is finished Win XP recognises the HDD for what it is. It's the drivers from the manufacturer which not only loads the HDD controller but also loads the RAID files as well and I think it's the RAID files which caused the problem because system was expecting to run RAID when it was disabled in BIOS. RAID couldn't be run anyway as I have only one HDD. Does all this make sense? At the end of the day all that matters is the system is up and running. Many thanks for all the suggestions and help received. John > The HD manu will have a free utility > [quoted text clipped - 69 lines] >> >> >> I >> >> >> resolve the situation? Would be grateful for any advice. With raid/sata connected hd you need to read the specific instructions for your mobo, as they vary. 1) Winxp has default drivers for *some* raid controllers 2) Some raid controllers require you to set up raid as JBOD if you are only using a single sata hd 3) Some mobos require a specific sata connector to be used, resetting a mobo jumper and or amending bios It is ALL specific to the mobo Anyhow its now all good to go > Problem solved. Despite the fact that whilst loading, an incorrect HDD size > is shown, there is no need, in fact one must not, load the drivers for SATA [quoted text clipped - 53 lines] > >> >> John > >> >> > check here for instructions http://xphelpandsupport.mvps.org/how_do_i_install_windows_xp_on_a.htm > >> >> >> I've purchased new base unit AM2 64X2 Athlon 4600, 2gb RAM and > > ASRock [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > >> >> >> I > >> >> >> resolve the situation? Would be grateful for any advice. Oh yes Indeed!! Thanks for your input., Item Closed!! John > With raid/sata connected hd you need to read the specific instructions for > your mobo, as they vary. [quoted text clipped - 120 lines] >> >> >> >> I >> >> >> >> resolve the situation? Would be grateful for any advice. |
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