Can't load windows onto SATA HD

[deadman.inc]

Hey guys!

I didn't know where to put this, hardware or software. Anyways:

To begin with, my computer specs are: 1 gb ram, 1.8 ghz (2 ghz maybe) 64bit AMD processor, western digital 80 gb SATA HDD, Aopen ak86-L motherboard.

So, out of no where, my computer started booting up to a blank screen. I tried reinstalling windows xp pro, however, it displayed the following error: Setup did not find any hard disk drives installed in your computer. Now, when I built this computer, the motherboard came with a SATA floppy disk but I don't have it with me right now.

I went ahead and got a new hard drive, and tried loading windows xp on it, and it gave me the same error.

I went and burrowed my friend's windows 7 DVD to see if I could install that. However, it takes me to this screen with a window with the title: ISC WinPE Shell - Image Version: 2.02. Within the window, the heading says: 'Infineon Standard Client Setup'. It also has a Pre-Installation list:

Initialize Network Environment
Acquire IP Address
Connect installation share
Start installation program

It goes through with the first step, however, on the second stage, it fails and displays this error: Unable to get a valid IP address!

So, least to say, I'm thoroughly confused. Is this how windows 7 loads??

Thanks!

Oz

[EzyStvy]

Now, when I built this computer, the motherboard came with a SATA floppy disk but I don't have it with me right now.

Get the download from the mobo makers web site and make a new floppy.

Or you could look in the BIOS and see if you can put the drive in IDE mode.

[glc]

No, that's not how a legitimate Windows 7 DVD loads.

You need to find your floppy.

AOpen America ~ No. 1 uSFF solution and platform provider in green technology.

You will have to figure out how to extract the files you need to make a new one.

[deadman.inc]

Lol, I figured...

Anyways, I got me an IDE hard drive. It's loading windows XP right now. Is there anyway I can hook up my SATA hard drive and access it through the windows UI on the IDE hard drive?

Furthermore, I was able to download the SATA drivers from the Aopen website you provided. (THANKS!!) Within the 'readme' file, it states: Copy all files and directories of DriverDisk\SATA folder to a floppy disk. I'm going to write the files to a floppy disk (I have one on my desktop), however, when I try running the setup on my SATA HDD, will the windows setup (which I'm going to run by booting from cd) be able to access the drivers?

Thanks,

Oz

[glc]

Press F6 at the beginning of Setup when prompted to do so - to install 3rd party storage drivers. Insert the floppy.

If you install the whole SATA driver package you downloaded by running its setup in Windows, you will be able to access the SATA drive.

[deadman.inc]

Thanks glc!! I got it done! I was able to access the SATA HDD through windows XP installed on the IDE HDD; backed up a few files; created my floppy disk, and installed Windows XP onto the SATA HDD.

It took me a while to get it done, lol, but I got it done. I don't know why I didn't think about getting an IDE HDD earlier... Anyways, Thanks again!

Oz