Larian Studios Forums General Chat Chat (Anything) New Computer Problem

Ok, I just bought a new computer, Here are the specs:

AMD ATHLON XP 3000 CPU (Barton 333 mhz)
512 mb DDR400 (PC-3200)
256 mb ATI Sapphire Radeon 9600xt
ASUS A7N8X-E Deluxe M/B with SATA, Raid, 1394, Dual GLAN
120 GB Seagate SATA150 HDD (8mb,7200rpm)
16 x Sony DVD ROM

Ok, so my problem is this. They didnt install any OS on it so Im trying to install Windows XP pro. When I boot using the XP CD it works fine for the first little bit then it tells me I have no hard drive. When I dont boot using a CD Im on C: drive and can look around at the basic system files on the Hard drive so it is DEFINATLY there. Why cant the windows install program see it?

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/kitty.gif" alt="" />

The Problem could be that the xp install cd is just a update cd. This means that you should install another os like ME and do a update on ME with the Xp cd.

So basically install any other os in the windows range and do a upgrade from there.

My computer at home has the same problem. It refuses to install xp prof on my computer from the cd boot up fase but when I install another os and insert the xp cd while I am in ME it asks if I want to update and it installs fine

Hope this help

From a person who hasn't seen this forum in a long time

No, its a full install CD. Ive installed with this CD on other systems.

Two further notes:

The HDD is not detected by the Bios, despite the fact that I can boot to it.

My DVD rom is listen in the Bios as the primary master. There are no entries in either the secondry master, primary slave, and secondary slave.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/kitty.gif" alt="" />

In the bios try setting every harddrive option to auto and not user defined.

Is the jumper on the hd set to master and not slave.

Is your ata cable that is connected to your hd connected on your motherboard on ata1 and not 2

Another question are you using one ata cable for both the dvd-rom and the hd?

Sorry for all the questions.

If I dont respond immediatly try my e-mail it is always on even if I am off the net.

Here it is famjs@puknet.puk.ac.za

have you looked in the asus FAQs yet? in the german ones, they mentioned somthing that if the raid contoler is enabled you have to apply the hdd first on the controler so that it can be recognised.

yeah, seems to me the HDD is either:
- wrongly or not connected
- it's jumper is in the wrong position

make sure the HDD is on the primary ATA connection on the MB and the it's listed in the BIOS... this MUST be realised

If all else fails contack Tech Support from where you bought the system.

I hate you so much right now. Must contain envy. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/silly.gif" alt="" />

Nice spec idd. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/up.gif" alt="" />

I'm currently using a laptop ,1900 intel.

Does the BIOS (greek for LIFE) have an autodetect option ?

And why can you boot from it ? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Look in the options of the install programm, sometimes there's a "surpass hardware detection" option or something.

Bios does have an auto-detect option but it detects nothing. Bizzarely I can boot to C: and look around at the system files (The hard drive light flashes merrily). I cant figure how this can be so and Bios and XP setup cant find it. All I can figure is its a jumper and since Im not going to void the warranty by opening it (At least until Ive had a chance to give it a thorough test with windows installed) Im taking it back to the store today and going to let them fix it. Thanks for everyones help BTW <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

@Morbo: Ive waited for a new system for a long time. This is my HL 2, Doom 3 system <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/kitty.gif" alt="" />

err me has laptop 2! 855 intel. I hate even you!

AMD ATHLON XP 3000 CPU (Barton 333 mhz)
512 mb DDR400 (PC-3200)
256 mb ATI Sapphire Radeon 9600xt
ASUS A7N8X-E Deluxe M/B with SATA, Raid, 1394, Dual GLAN
120 GB Seagate SATA150 HDD (8mb,7200rpm)
16 x Sony DVD ROM
---------------

Wow, this is almost identical to the system I will be g etting!

how much was this?

About $1450 but thats Australian dollars

Ok, the solution was that I needed to copy some files of the motherboard drivers cd onto a floppy disk and then when windows XP installation first starts up push F6 and isntall the drivers. Now I have windows installed but how do I get the computer to boot from the hard disk? What boot device do I select as the primary boot device in BIOS for a SATA drive (SATA isnt one of the options) SCSI maybe? Any SATA owners out there who know?

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/kitty.gif" alt="" />

I felt the same until I heard it wasn't working. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Sympathy to Mandrake, though. I know how frustrating it can be. After upgrading my video card and having to take it back twice, I was starting to get a bit upset.

ahh. alot eh?

I'm getting it not put togeather, for some amount less.

then comes the burdensome task of putting trogeather!

I considered just buying parts and assembling it myself, but I'm too scared of buying incompatable parts. And they do such a neat job of it! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

yes, buts its alot more expensive buitl by them.


near by house at the local parts shack you can jus pay them 35 bucks to put all the parts you've bought togeather. or check out and fix your incompentent work! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />


better than up to 500 dollers at other places.

and almost 1000 dollers to get like Alienware more then custom made. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/disagree.gif" alt="" />

Yaaaaaa! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> Given that that is half the cost of my last computer not including labour (assuming US$), I think I'll be shopping elsewhere...

unfourtently its most plaes that do that.

But lots of good deals crop up, I've seen several good deals that are only 'bout 1000, and i checked out prices, and all custom was only 200 less or so
and this gets you warranty too


Let me see what system it was.... xp 3000, radeon 9600, 19in screen, 2.1 sound

512 3200 ram. 120 gb (maybe80) hard drive.
16x dvd-rom.

prettys imilar and good i think.

alienware PC's are SO cool, I'd love to get one, but for that price I think I can get a much better system, just without the looks, but who cares about that anyway if you don't leave the house with it