Windows XP re-install questions

[MageXX9]

So, I re-install Windows XP Pro, but for some reason, it MUST install the boot loader to the PATA drive.

Anyone else see this problem? How do people install that just have SATA?

 

[MageXX9]

Anyone have any ideas? I'm about to buy another SATA drive, and wonder if I'm going to run into any problems.

Basically what happened when I installed is Windows forced me to install the boot loader on the PATA drive, and would not allow me to partition it to the full size, it reserved a little bit for the boot loader I'm thinking?

Is this common?

My current setup is such:
30 gig IBM 75GXP udma100, still works great, knock on wood
80 gig Maxtor SATA 1.5

I'm looking to add something big like 250GB, or 300GB for a media harddrive. I'm in the process of ripping my audio collection to flac files.

 

[MrChad]

XP setup has some weird defaults when it comes to mixed PATA/SATA setups.

My suggestion is to physically disconnect each of your PATA drives and boot to XP setup with ONLY the SATA drive connected. As long as you have the necessary SATA drivers (or you have an nForce SATA controller), you should be able to install XP without a hitch. Once you've finished the installation, reconnect your PATA drive.

 

[MageXX9]

I tried that, and it said it couldn't find NTLDR.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: MageXX9
I tried that, and it said it couldn't find NTLDR.

Make sure your BIOS is setup properly to boot from the SATA drive.

What motherboard/SATA controller are you connecting this to?

 

[MageXX9]

I had it set correctly in the BIOS as well. I have an ABIT NF7-S.

The problem may be attributed to how I formatted.

I partitioned my SATA drive into two 40 gig partitions, while the 30 gig PATA was still hooked up. That might have had something to do with it.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: MageXX9
I had it set correctly in the BIOS as well. I have an ABIT NF7-S.

The problem may be attributed to how I formatted.

I partitioned my SATA drive into two 40 gig partitions, while the 30 gig PATA was still hooked up. That might have had something to do with it.

And you supplied the SATA drivers on a floppy disk during Windows setup when prompted (hitting F6 at the beginning of setup)?

 

[MageXX9]

Yup, rebooted with no PATA drive attached, and I get the error.

The only thing I can figure out is that in a mixed (PATA/SATA) setting, the boot loader must be installed on the PATA drive.

 

[MrChad]

Originally posted by: MageXX9
Yup, rebooted with no PATA drive attached, and I get the error.

The only thing I can figure out is that in a mixed (PATA/SATA) setting, the boot loader must be installed on the PATA drive.

You need to initiate the entire setup again with no PATA attached. Boot to the XP CD and make sure you provide the drivers for your SATA controller. Delete and recreate the partitions on your SATA drive and proceed with the format/setup. On the first reboot, you should be able to boot from your SATA drive if your BIOS is configured correctly.