[synister]

So here is my problem. I have Windows Vista installed on my computer. There are some programs that I want that only run with Windows XP, so I am trying to install it so I can dual boot with both operating systems. I created the second partition under Disk Management with 200 GB of free space to install Windows XP on, then I restarted my computer and put in my Windows XP install disk. It goes to the blue screen and starts booting things (on the bottom), but then I get to a page that reads this:

Setup did not find any hard disk drives installed in your computer.

Make sure any hard disk drives are powered on and properly connected to your computer, and that any disk-related hardware configuration is correct. This may involve running a manufacture-supplied diagnostic or setup program.

Setup cannot continue. to quit Setup, Press F3.

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That is my problem. I read a lot about dual booting operating systems, and have read about something with it not being able to read SATA (?). I'm not too savvy when it comes to things like this but I do realize that this is under the BIOS. I went to the BIOS by pressing the [delete] button as my computer was booting up, and then proceeded to the Advanced tab. Under the Advanced tab I saw that there was a place that referred to SATA but didn't find out how to do anything useful with it. I read that I need to disable SATA Native Mode or something like that, but it's nowhere to be found.

Thats all I can say on my problem at this point, thank you! If you need me to explain more I will, I can upload some pictures too if necessary. Please help I need this fixed quickly! Much appreciated.

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A better solution may be to download Virtual PC from Microsoft and install XP into that if the programs you want to use with it aren't too intensive. The Virtual PC runs inside Windows so you'd effectively be using Windows in Windows.

However if you want to dual-boot you need to feed the computer a driver via F6 when prompted. If one is available you can usually get it from the people who made the computer.

[Neil Jones]

A better solution may be to download Virtual PC from Microsoft and install XP into that if the programs you want to use with it aren't too intensive. The Virtual PC runs inside Windows so you'd effectively be using Windows in Windows.

However if you want to dual-boot you need to feed the computer a driver via F6 when prompted. If one is available you can usually get it from the people who made the computer.

[synister]

A better solution may be to download Virtual PC from Microsoft and install XP into that if the programs you want to use with it aren't too intensive. The Virtual PC runs inside Windows so you'd effectively be using Windows in Windows.

However if you want to dual-boot you need to feed the computer a driver via F6 when prompted. If one is available you can usually get it from the people who made the computer.

yeah virtual pc wont work for the things i need to do. also, the computer is custom so there is no real manufacturer, there are multiple manufacturers for every separate part, which makes it a little more confusing for me... not sure what i need to do... so basically you're saying i need to download a driver? (for what part?)

[Neil Jones]

You download the SATA RAID driver (F6) which will be on the site of the people who made the motherboard.
If one is not available it may be possible to get it from the Chipset drivers.
Failing that it may not be possible to put XP on the machine at all.

[The Admiral]

What is the make and model of your computer? If it is a Dell, there is a very easy workaround.

EDIT: saw that it is a custom machine. In your BIOS, is there some sort of hard drive operation setting that switches from ATA to AHCI, or Legacy to Advanced? Toggle that option and you should be able to install XP.

Edited by The Admiral, 26 November 2008 - 11:23 PM.

[Neil Jones]

EDIT: saw that it is a custom machine. In your BIOS, is there some sort of hard drive operation setting that switches from ATA to AHCI, or Legacy to Advanced? Toggle that option and you should be able to install XP.

Changing the SATA type may allow XP to be installed but it may stop Vista from booting. The OP wants to dual-boot.

[The Admiral]

Changing the SATA type will allow XP to be installed, install the SATA driver, then change the SATA type back.

[mrknightowl00]

What If I cant find the SATA RAID on my computer???