Trying to Install XP Home on HP/Compaq Presario 500 and install does not recognize Hard Drive
I formatted my dad's laptop so that I could install XP Home...stupid I know to format this way, but I had not idea that XP did not have the drivers for the HD on this laptop. I would love to install third party driver (by pressing F6 during install) but I don't know which drivers to get and then how to add them to the install without a floppy.
So I guess I need help determining which drivers to get and how to install them. Thanks!
So I guess I need help determining which drivers to get and how to install them. Thanks!
ASKER
Itsmein,
Thanks for your interest...
I boot from the install CD for XP Home. It downloads drivers and such and finally asks me if I want to install to press enter. When I press enter to install this is the message that I get:
"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 manufacturer-supplied diagnostic or setup program.
"Setup cannot continue. To quit Setup, press F3"
So I tried to install Vista from a recovery CD...I got much further in the process...it recognized the hard drive...but because it was a recovery CD and not the full install (I don't know why some computers aren't shipped with a full copy of Vista) gave me an error message that Installation couldn't be completed because the windows/install.exe file did not exist.
Suggestions?
Thanks for your interest...
I boot from the install CD for XP Home. It downloads drivers and such and finally asks me if I want to install to press enter. When I press enter to install this is the message that I get:
"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 manufacturer-supplied diagnostic or setup program.
"Setup cannot continue. To quit Setup, press F3"
So I tried to install Vista from a recovery CD...I got much further in the process...it recognized the hard drive...but because it was a recovery CD and not the full install (I don't know why some computers aren't shipped with a full copy of Vista) gave me an error message that Installation couldn't be completed because the windows/install.exe file did not exist.
Suggestions?
ASKER
nobus,
Thanks for the link, however I do not wish to activate Windows Vista...I did that when my dad got the laptop in August. I was trying to get rid of Vista and install my copy of XP Home for him. I used Darik's Boot and Nuke (DBAN) to format the HD becuase my dad had used the laptop for months without any kind of antivirus software...so I wanted it cleaned completely.
To make a long story longer...after the 'nuke' I attempted to install Windows XP Home, and that is when I got the error message I posted above.
Thanks!
mike
Thanks for the link, however I do not wish to activate Windows Vista...I did that when my dad got the laptop in August. I was trying to get rid of Vista and install my copy of XP Home for him. I used Darik's Boot and Nuke (DBAN) to format the HD becuase my dad had used the laptop for months without any kind of antivirus software...so I wanted it cleaned completely.
To make a long story longer...after the 'nuke' I attempted to install Windows XP Home, and that is when I got the error message I posted above.
Thanks!
mike
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ASKER
You are a genius!!! Thanks. You can tell that you have gone through this before. Your instructions are dead on.
are you getting a BSOD saying disk_inaccessible?
Please post the error you are getting (exact message)
SC