Problems getting a HDD partitioned...

[N4P]

OK, here's the problem. i just built a new pc. i need to partition the HD, so i can install win2k on it. unlike windows98, when you boot off the win2k disk, it brings you right into the win2k setup (not giving you a command prompt, or the option to run FDisk). there also is no such thing as a win2k boot disk that will get you to a DOS prompt (at least i dont know of one. the only thing i know of is the 4 disk set that will start win2k setup if you dont have a bootable cdrom drive). when it runs win2k setup, it doesnt ask you to partition the HD first, so it says it couldnt find a HD.

I had a friend make a win98 boot disk, and email me all the files from it, along with fdisk. when i put those files onto a disk, and tried to boot the new PC with it, i recieved an error saying "NTLDR is missing, press any key to restart" (or something to that effect). im assuming i got this message becuase the floppy disk i put the files on was formatted on this pc, a win2k machine. so, that was a dead end.

then, i had a friend send me partition magic (no, im not one for warez...but it was my last hope). when i tried to boot with the partition magic disks, it gave me a message saying that they are non-system disks.

so, to round things up here...i cant install an operating system, because i dont have a HD that is partitioned. i cant partition the drive, becuase a) when i try to use a win98 boot disk, i get an error saying "NTLDR is missing.", or b) i cant use partition magic disks, becuase it says they are non-system disks.

any help is appreciated. thanks. 🙁

 

[Rob G.]

The Windows 2000 installation has it's own partitioning section, but you need to make sure you choose the right option.

Boot off the CD and choose to install. After the screen where you enter the product code, there should be a button available that says "Advanced Options". Within that screen you need to tick the box that says "I want to choose the installation partition during setup".

It will then wander off and do it's thing, but at some point you'll be able to set up partitons in FAT, FAT32 or NTFS.

 

[N4P]

i knew the win2k disk had its own partitioning thing, but the problem is that it doesnt get that far. when i boot off the disk, it loads (what i think are) a bunch of drivers first. then it gives you a screen where you can choose to install win2k, repair a win2k installation, or exit. if you choose to install win2k, it says it couldnt find any HDD. my guess is that it doesnt find any HDD's, becuase the bios doesnt see it, becuase it isnt partitioned.

 

[N4P]

Update:
i found my old win98 disk. its actually a Gateway(tm) OS Backup disk. with that, i can boot the pc with cd-rom support, and get to an a: prompt. from the a: prompt, i put in a floppy i have fdisk on, and tried to run it. it says it couldnt run fdisk becuase "There are no fixed disks detected" or something to that effect.

why do these things not go as easy as they should? 🙁

 

[N4P]

woohoo, for anyone that might care, i got it working.

The Hard Drive in that machine is a Western Digital 30 gig ultra100 drive. as far as jumper settings on it go, it says that it ships with it set to be either master, or standalone, and that you dont have to change a thing. it also gives a little diagram, and shows the jumpers set the way they are when its shipped. i assumed that Western Digital would know their own drives...looked at the jumper settings, and they were correct. But, it also says that the jumper setting for Master is with no jumpers on it at all. well, i ignored that when originally putting the PC together. ive never heard of a master setting with no jumpers at all.

well, i tried it with no jumpers on it at all...and the win2k disk detects the HD normally.

/me gives a big thumbs down to Western Digital for not correctly documenting their HD's.