Can't format HD

[mike12]

Hi, Just got a new Dell Dimension 5150 computer with XP Home. I intended to remove the XP Home, and install my copy of XP Pro that I previously purchased and had on another computer. That computer died, so I was attempting to load it on this computer. Anway, I booted to the XP pro disc that was in the CD Rom. It went through loading all the drivers etc and asked about formatting the c/ partioned drive that had 78 gig of space. I said yes etc. and all was proceeding well. After about 15 minutes when when the progress bar went from zero to 100 % the CD Rom stared up again. Then I got the following message. " Setup was unable to format the partition. The disk may be damaged. Make sure the drive is switched on and properly connected to your computer. If the disk is a SCSI disk, make sure your SCSI devices are properly terminated. Consult you computer manual or SCSI adaptor documantation for more info. You must select a different partion for Windows XP . To continue, press enter " If I press enter, I go back to choosing another partition. What do I do now ? Please help ! What disk are they refeering to , the XP pro disk or the hard drive, which is a SATA by the way.

[KatoPC]

Download the diagnostics software from the correct manufacturer and run it.
Just to be sure. Some motherboards need a driver loaded be it SCSI or SATA In order to continue you'll see this at the bottom of the screen when you boot up using the XPP CD. Might have to go to the Dell site or if you have the Dell drivers CD to get it.

[mike12]

Thanks KatoPC for the reply. I tried again, and this time everything went ok.
Thanks.