asked on

Windows XP installation not seeing any Hard Drives

I have an older Toshiba netbook that I'm trying to reinstall Windows XP on. I put in a new hard drive as well as connected an external Asus DVD-RW drive to it, and the BIOS sees both devices correctly.

When I boot from a Windows XP Home edition OEM disc, it doesn't list any available drives to install Windows on. Any thoughts?

This is a Toshiba NB305-N310.

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

John

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial

Robert Retzer

Like thinkpads said you probably need a sata driver available before the windows xp will recognize your harddrive. when windows xp cd boots and says to press f6 if you require a special driver this is when you will press f6 and insert the media that has the sata drivers and install the drivers then continue with the operating system install. See this website. http://forums.computers.toshiba-europe.com/forums/thread.jspa?threadID=25749
This may not be for your exact model of computer but it should guide you through the process of installing windows on your system.

nobus

here a nice guide on how to install xp on a netbook : http://liliputing.com/2008/04/install-windows-xp-on-mini-note-usb.html

or a youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9ZDCAZlaFo

epichero22

ASKER

Setting AHCI to compatibility mode worked and I have to ask, what is AHCI for? I never paid it much mind.

John

Thank you. I was pleased to help. AHCI is Advanced Host Controller Interface. In new machines it assumes a SATA interface. Setting it to compatability allows older software to install on the new drives.
.... Thinkpads_User