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    Can't detect the HD

    Discussion in 'Other Manufacturers' started by Destin, Jul 20, 2007.

  1. Destin

    Destin Notebook Enthusiast

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    I just got my IFL90 and wanted to install Windows XP Pro on it but the setup screen keeps telling me it doesn't detect a hard drive. In the Bios I see a hard disk show up. I'm not sure why it won't let me install Windows. Anyone know what's wrong?
     
    Destin, Jul 20, 2007
    #1
  2. ejl

    ejl fudge

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    is it xp with sp 2? if not, it could be because of missing sata drivers. search it in the forums to find the answers for it, as i don't know them off the top of my head.
     
    ejl, Jul 20, 2007
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  3. ohmide

    ohmide Notebook Geek

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    You probably don't have the driver for the SATA HDD. You'll have to slipstream an XP CD with the drivers on it. Either that or get a USB Floppy drive and have the SATA drivers on a disk
     
    ohmide, Jul 20, 2007
    #3
  4. Rene S - Zepto

    Rene S - Zepto Company Representative

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    Go into the BIOS find the AHCI option and disable it.

    It's the Advanced Host Controller Interface option which works fine enabled for Vista, but when enabled results in XP not being able to detect a harddrive in the machine.

    Also remember to disable it again after a BIOS update (as Compal has it enabled by default after a BIOS update) as it will result in XP not waning to load if enabled.

    This option can also give problems if it is disabled under the initial install of Vista. If the option is then enabled it will result in Vista making a BSOD and rebooting, then all you need to do is disable it again.
    If it is enabled during the initial install of Vista you can enabled and disable it as you like for some reason.
     
    Rene S - Zepto, Jul 20, 2007
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  5. thewalrus

    thewalrus Notebook Guru

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    are there any drawbacks to disabling AHCI that make slipstreaming drivers a better choice?
     
    thewalrus, Jul 21, 2007
    #5
  6. Donald@Paladin44

    Donald@Paladin44 Retired

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    No...

    Rene S states it correctly :)

    The point is with XP they need to be disabled, for Vista they need to be enabled and it is best if this is done in the BIOS prior to installation of the OS.
     
    Donald@Paladin44, Jul 21, 2007
    #6