[rgreen4]

Drivers - it's always about the drivers.Were these ICH8 drivers? If so, I would be interested in knowing where you found them.

[KarenSeb]

Since I can't format or fdisk, I'm assuming XP tried to install over Vista. I have changed the BIOS to boot from CD, inserted the XP CD, hit the "any" then it cycles thru the blue installation screen, then craters out.... A message comes up saying something like..... " If this is the first time you've seen this message, hit Ctrl-Alt-Del and restart... AND "If you have installed a new hard disk controller or any new hardware, remove and re-install..... If it is in fact, the SATA drivers, can't I just disable SATA support in BIOS?? :unsure

[KarenSeb]

[quote name='mphenterprises']Not a problem at all, avanish11, we live and we learn. :-) > > > > Karen, you are in very good hands right now. One way or another, you will have you system up and running very shortly.I have no doubt Mr. Moderator Sir :)

[avanish11]

[quote name='rgreen4']Drivers - it's always about the drivers.> > > > Were these ICH8 drivers? If so, I would be interested in knowing where you found them.I have no idea what they were. I found them on the intel website, labelled as Windows Xp setup F6 floppy drivers, or something like that.

[rgreen4]

KarenSeb - It would be counterproductive to disable the Hard Drive controller (SATA) drivers if we are trying to install an OS on that HD.Back to basic questions, to get you out of the ditch so to speak. Do you have the recovery DVD's that you were to burn when you first got the laptop?Can you please post the model of your Dell Laptop?

[KarenSeb]

Hmmmm ok I got the disable from a different forum :( Yes to the recovery CD, and it's a desktop - Dell Dimension 9200.

[rgreen4]

Ok, sorry about that, I sometimes get the threads confused. I at first had Sony, went back re-read, and corrected the brand.Ok, before we can take two steps forward, we must take one backwards. Use the restore discs and restore your machine to Vista. When you have done that, and it's stable, we can move forward. As much as I know you want to do away with Vista, although you never said, at this point, we would be thrashing about with a non-bootable machine. Actually, the 9200 makes it much, much easier.From the information, I can find, the 9200 has two hard drive bays at the bottom. If it is possible for you to acquire a second hard drive, we can restore drive A to Vista, and keep it as a fall back drive while we install XP and all the drivers on drive B. We can simply swap the data cable (red cable with the smaller connector) and the power cable (the larger cable which should have 5 wires going to it) from one drive to another, leaving the side off while we work on it. Dell and HP seem to like these lefthanded computers as I'm seeing more and more of them, and Dell has even gone to a MB that is a mirror image of the normal layout (everything that was on the left is now on the right and vice versa).Who knows, while we do this, we may even resolve what it is about Vista that you don't like.BTW, the XP disc you have, is it Home or Pro, and what level of SP (1, 2, 2a).I'll be home at around 5:30 EDT, and will have my internet connection instead of the offices and will research more on the Dell as to the drive controllers.

[KarenSeb]

I do have a spare hard drive... One that Dell had sent to me to replace the original. I had asked them for a blank and they had sent me another pre-loaded one w/Vista :evil:. The original HD has 80G, the second has 160G - Oops a boo boo on Dell's part ;) I want to use the new 160G HD for XP, and the 80G for whatever..... Vista I guess :rolleyes: lol.....XP = Pro SP = 2 (I think)My problem with Vista is/was that no matter what program I used, it would hang. If I set the computer to go idle after say 20 minutes, it would lock up. My internet connect (DSL) was extremely slow... I did everything I knew how to do.... Updated drivers, removed unwanted pre-loaded programs... etc. I'm wondering now if the HD is bad after all? I did do a ScanDisk and everything "passed." RGreen - you are a Wizard in my book.... I have to go for now, but I'll try to get back with you on this later this evening. Thank you so much for all you efforts! You're a definite plus in the PCWorld :)

[smax013]

[quote name='KarenSeb']> > > > DrCarlos - I couldn't agree with you more ;) As a matter of fact, I contemplated getting an Apple before I bought my Dell. I gave Vista the benefit of the doubt tho and had hoped that MS had finally straightened out their act and supplied consumers with a workable OS. I have never been so frustrated and disappointed in my life in regards to MS! :x UGH! My two sense.....> > > > There is your problem right there! :wink:Thanks for helping me do my daily "shameless Mac plug"[TM]! :D

[smax013]

[quote name='rgreen4']> > > > As smax and I like to say, we have the T-shirt and coffee mug collections, and are not eager to add to them, but are eager to help others from falling into the abyss.> > > > But, my "I lost my data because I didn't backup" T-shirt is getting a little old and ratty...maybe it is time to get a new one?! 8)

[KarenSeb]

Hehe Smax - My Pleasure... :wink:I'm here and awaiting your instruction Oh Wise One.

[rgreen4]

KarenSeb - ok to recap, you have an 80GB HD that is unbootable. You have a replacement 160GB with pre-installed Vista, and a Dell 9200 with 2 drive bays. Have you ever had the cover off your PC?

[KarenSeb]

The cover is off, the two hard drives are in the bays. The old 80G is hooked up. The 160G is not connected to a power cord. There is no extra power cord for 160G. It is cabled to the MB tho.Refreshing: I want to dump Vista from the 160G, and install XP Pro. I will keep Vista on the 80G. The 80G is the one that I tried to install XP over.

[rgreen4]

OK, I understand that you want to wind up with Vista on the 80 and XP on the 160, but first we have to get a viable installation of Vista on the 80.You say there is no power cord for the 160, but that it is cabled to the MB. Do you have 2 SATA data cables in the system? These cables are usually red, but I have seen orange, and are about 3/8" wide and sort of a flattend oval in cross section.Are there not any extra power connectors from the Power Supply?

[KarenSeb]

There are 2 SATA cables coming from the MB. There are no extra PCs that I can see that would reach the other HD.

[rgreen4]

This has got me a little perplexed. Normally there are an abundance of power connectors and it't the data cables that are hard to come by. The powere connectors of course come with the computer, and if the PC only has one hard drive leaving the factory, only one data cable comes with it.New retail boxed SATA HD's come with a data cable and a short 4"-5" molex to SATA power cable, but OEM HD's from discount store do not. The OEM HD's come usually with just the HD in an anti-static wrapper or plastic shell, but no cable, power connector, screws or setup disc.I am looking for an SATA "Y" splitter, but have not yet found one. Do you have a spare 4 pin white power connector (called a Molex connector) ?Edit:I found the Connector I was looking for. It will cost $10 with shipping. The other alternative is to go to a local computer store and see if they have one of these Adapters in stock. Either will permit you to hook up both drives at the same time.

[KarenSeb]

[img:6dced1a23f]http://i.dell.com/im...0_views.jpg+The cables that came with this Dell are not your typical grey cables with a red stripe going down the side. These are much different. Not sure how well you can see the picture, but the cable is 4 wires wired into an end plug which plugs into the HD. I do have an extra power connector as I have a spare computer - for extra parts. I don't have a "Y" splitter. Actually the power connector on this Dell looks nothing like a Molex.

[rgreen4]

Karen - BTW nice Avator, and excellent pictures. In the center picture, going to the HD closest to the front is a blue cable with a white label on it. That is the SATA 7 pin data cable. Next to it with the 5 different colors of wires is the 15 pin SATA power connector. Above the HD is a white 4 pin Molex power connector. Molex is the power connector that has been used in all devices in PC's (except for floppies) since 1980. Now the flat 15 pin SATA power connecter is taking over as the SATA interface is taking over.Another difference between the power and SATA signal cable is the fact that the connectors are right angle because of the clearance issue between the side of the case and the end of the drives. The CD/DVD device probably has straight ones and they appear to have a red signal cable. Ok, it is as I thought, you have the extra power connector, but not the signal connector. Is there a computer store nearby where you can purchase a SATA signal cable. Unless you are in a real hurry to get over to XP, don't pay more than $10.Here is a Newegg Item and its even blue, although a different blue. Cost with shipping is $9. Here is a Longer one at 36", but it is silver. The length may make it easier to snake around to where the second MB connector is.Or on a temp basis, for the start, we can "borrow" the one from the CD/DVD.Let me know your decision.

[KarenSeb]

Ok I will order the 36" silver one. I should have it by Wednesday of next week. I live in Smalltown USA - computer stores are few and far between. If I happen to come across an extra signal connector, I will let you know. Ahhhh yes my Jeep Avatar - :) I own a Jeep just like it, however there is no resemblance between that driver and me :lol: And the computer pic well I "borrowed" that from the Dell site, but don't tell Mr. Moderator ;) hehePssssttt Mr. Moderator you watching still? 8)Again I can't thank you enough for your help.

[mphenterprises]

[quote name='KarenSeb']Pssssttt Mr. Moderator you watching still? 8).LOL I guess that would be me, huh? Yes, I am still here. I spend a lot of time helping others. It's good to just sit back and watch others help as well. :-)You may not believe this but some of the best feelings I get during my business day is the second I leave a client's house after I helped him or her with a problem. Spendning time within this forum is a bonus.