[Denzil86]

I'm having problems reinstalling Windows XP, it keeps saying that there is no Hard Disk Drive detected. I want to format and then reinstall through the windows setup cd.

I have a Compaq V3793TU laptop.

I've backed up everything I need.

Put the windows xp professional cd in and boot from it, goes to blue installation screen press enter and then it loads all the files needed. After that I get "no hard disk detected" message.

Edited by Denzil86, 29 April 2011 - 04:40 AM.

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I would first check for possible hard drive failure by testing it with the drive manufacturer's diagnostic software. The links are here:
http://www.tacktech....ay.cfm?ttid=287

You will need to download the DOS version of the diagnostic software which is an ISO CD-image file.
This allows you to create a bootable CD using IMGBurn from here: http://filehippo.com/download_imgburn/
Then boot your laptop from that CD and the diagnostic software will load & appear on-screen.
Select your laptop's hard drive & run the test on it.

[phillipcorcoran]

I would first check for possible hard drive failure by testing it with the drive manufacturer's diagnostic software. The links are here:
http://www.tacktech....ay.cfm?ttid=287

You will need to download the DOS version of the diagnostic software which is an ISO CD-image file.
This allows you to create a bootable CD using IMGBurn from here: http://filehippo.com/download_imgburn/
Then boot your laptop from that CD and the diagnostic software will load & appear on-screen.
Select your laptop's hard drive & run the test on it.

[123Runner]

How old is the laptop?
Do you know if there is a recovery partition on it?
Do you know if it is a ide or sata drive?
If sata....are you loading the sata driver?

According to the Compaq website there is a update for a Intel SATA Advanced host controller.
That generally means that it is a sata drive and you need to load the drivers for a sata controller when the install asks.

Compaq v3793tu

[happyrock]

HEADS UP...when testing the drive ...do not use the quick test

if the drive passes the hard drive tests and you still can't get windows to load try formatting the drive first using the recovery console...RC.iso

[Troy]

Best option would be to use the Compaq recovery disc if you have it or can get it. It will have the SATA drivers integrated and you won't need to stuff around with floppy drives. That's right, XP requires a floppy drive to install the SATA driver upon installation - a USB floppy drive is what you want for that laptop.

[Quarynn]

You can use a program called nLite to add SATA drivers of your choice to the install disc

I had the same problem and got my Intel SATA drivers to the disk, and it's now working!

[Denzil86]

If i downloaded this file would it fix the problem?

http://h10025.www1.h...689114&sw_lang=

[Troy]

Yes and then once it starts installing you will need to hit cancel. This is where I found the drivers after it extracted and I cancelled:

C:\swsetup\SP38088\Files\32

Copy those files to floppy disk. Then you will need to have the floppy connected and hit F6 when first booting off the XP install CD. Then once it's finished loading it will ask if you want to add storage drivers.

Cheers

[Denzil86]

Thanks for your reply.

I am using a laptop so i do not have a floppy drive or access to a USB floppy drive.

Is there another way to do this?

[Troy]

Back in Post #6... use nLite and slipstream the drivers so it is already integrated into the XP install disc.

[Denzil86]

Ok, i've got Nlite to run and i've selected the folder that the files extracted to but it comes up with a huge list of drivers for my Hard Disk. How do i know which one i have to select?

Another thing would i be able to load my sound card driver onto it as it is a pain to reinstall after i format the laptop. Where would i find that driver?

[Troy]

You would need to manually choose the one you have extracted as I tested for you above and gave you the directory.

Same deal for the audio drivers, you'd probably have to extract it and add it the same way. It'd probably be easier just to download and install it once you have the PC up and running again.

[Denzil86]

Thanks for that. Have selected the driver for my HDD and am currently seeing Nlite through to it's completion.

[Denzil86]

New problem, formatted my computer and reinstalling Windows XP Profrssional. I got a message saying couldn't find computer name and then it switched off. Now whenever I try to install it just shuts down at the 39 minutes left part.

[Denzil86]

The message I get is: "The application failed to initialise properly (0xc0000142). Click on OK to terminate the application"