HELP: Cant install windows XP with sATA

[zero13]

SPecs:
A7n8x Deluxe
AMD 2500+ XP
400W PSU
768 MB RAM

200 gig WD SATA (paritions: 160 gig / 40 gig) NTFS
120 gig WD SATA (paritions: 100 gig / 20 gig) NTFS

The problem occurs after I reached the point in the XP setup that allows me to pick the drive I want to install in.
I reserved 40 gig in my primary SATA drive to install windows XP in. But after selecting it. It tells me the following message:

"To install windows XP on the parition you selected, setup must write some startup files on the following disk:

190780 MB disk 0 at ID 0 on bus 0 on si3112r [MBR]

However, this disk does not contain a Windows-XP compatible parition.

To continue installing windows XP, return to the partition selection screen and create a window-xp compatible partition on the disk above. If there is no free space on the disk, deete an existing partition, and then create a new one."

I cant get pass this screen, therefore I can install windows XP. I need some help from you guyz in the forum. Post any idea or solutions that can solve this problem. I've tried the following methods but it still doesnt work.

1. Updated my Bios to the newest version

BTW: If I have an IDE drive plugged into the motherboard along with both my SATA, I can get pass the partition problem. In other words, XP lets me install on my SATA ONLY IF I HAVE MY IDE CONNECTED. But i need the IDE drive for my other computer, so my last resort would be to buy another IDE harddrive, but i wanna see if i can find other solutions first.

 

[boomerang]

Assuming there is nothing on the 160GB partition, I would do as follows.

Search the net for "Delpart". This is a small utility that will allow you to delete NTFS partitions. It will fit on a boot floppy. Boot off the floppy and run delpart. Delete all existing partitions on that drive.

Now run your XP install again. If it is successful, create a 40GB partition for XP. You can partition and format the remainder of the drive from within XP.

I can't explain why, but it sounds like XP is just not happy with the partitioning and formatting already done on the drive.

 

[MrChad]

A couple of points:

1. Make sure you have SP2 slipstreamed onto your XP setup disc. You need at least SP1 in order for XP to recognize partitions larger than 137 GB.
2. Leave your IDE drive disconnected when installing XP. Your drive letters will get screwed up if you leave it connected.
3. You should be deleting and creating your partitions from within XP setup. There is no need for third party utilities.

 

[Crucial]

I ran into this same problem with the a7n8x. I had a 120gb IDE drive attatched and was trying to install Windows MCE2005 onto the SATA drive. I unhooked all the HD's except the SATA drive and it installed fine.