Installing XP on new hard drive on Dimension 8400

Question

I am trying to install the XP operating system on a new (Western Digital) hard rive. My computer is a Dell Dimension 8400. The hard drive is seen by the BIOS and the Windows "reinstalltion" disk from Dell works fine until I get to the disk partition screen. Once I have partitioned the disk I hit enter and I get the following error message:

Your computer’s startup program cannot gain access to the disk containing the partition or free space you chose. Setup cannot install Windows XP on this hard disk.

This lack of access does not necessarily indicate an error condition. For example, disks attached to a SCSI adapter that wasn’t installed by your computer manufacturer or to a secondary hard disk controller, are typically not visible to the startup program unless special software is used. Contact your computer or hard disk controller manufacturer for more information.

On x86-based computers, this message may indicate a problem with the CMOS drive type settings. See your disk controller documentation for more information.

I've tried to get help from Western Digital but to no avail. Can someone help me?

ieee488 · Answer

I am not sure why you are parttitoning the hard drive. You should be formatting it 'clean' for the install.

Thereal-dbk4297 · Answer

Hello,

Try changing the 'OS Install' setup in the BIOS settings.

<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed from this post by Dell>

Change the OS Install to "ON", exit the BIOS saving the change. Reboot and install XP.

Reset to "OFF" when you are done.

Also, you need to follow the directions below ...

Note: Some devices may not function properly if the drivers are installed out of order.

Install your version of Windows.

Install the following software and drivers in the order listed below.

***** 1.***** Desktop System Software (DSS) or Notebook System Software (NSS) - A vital utility that provides critical updates and patches for the operating system. If you are reinstalling the operating system or updating all the computer’s drivers, it is imperative that this software be installed first.
Currently, the DSS and NSS are not required for systems with Windows Vista installed. This is located under the System and Configuration Utilities Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
2. Chipset - Helps Windows control system board components and controllers. This is located under the Chipset Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
3. Video Adapter - Enhances video performance. This is located under the Video Adapter Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
4. Network Interface Card (NIC) - Enhances the network controller for Internet or network access. This is located under the Network Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
5. Audio Adapter - Enables and enhances the audio controller. This is located under the Audio Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
6. Modem - Allows dialup capability. This is located under the Communication Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
7. Wireless Network Card - Enables and enhances the wireless network controller. This is located under the Network Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
8. Touchpad, Pointer, Trackstick, Mice, and Keyboards - Enhances the pointing device features. This is located under the Mouse & Keyboards Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
9. Other Devices
* Bluetooth Module
This is located under the Communication Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
* Dell Wireless Mobile Broadband Cards
This is located under the Communication Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
* PCMCIA/Smartcard controller
This is located under the Security Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.

Dell drivers and downloads page http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/.

NOTE: If your system download page offers a DSS or NSS file in the 'System and Configuration Utilities' Category. And you have already tried to install some drivers, you will need to reboot in Safe Mode to install the DSS or NSS file, and the chipset. Then reboot the system and install the rest of the drivers in the correct order.

Lockex · Answer

My computer has BIOS version A8 and I can't find any place to change the "OS Install" settings. Am I missing something? Also, I did not partition the drive, I was try to refer to the "partition" screen.

I can get the drive to work fine as a "secondary" drive (it has been formatted and works fine) -- I just can't get Windows XP to install on it.

Locke

Thereal-dbk4297 · Answer

OS Install is shown in the Power Management portion of the options shown on the support page.

The A9 BIOS is here. Click on Fixes and Enhancements to see 'Improve PCIE functionality'. I don't know, it may help.

ieee488 · Answer

step by step direction with pictures on how to install Windows XP:  http://www.buildeasypc.com/sw/windows_xp.htm

shesagordie · Answer

Lockex

Try the following:

If you are not using RAID, or do not have an internal floppy drive, enter the system setup, scroll down to drives, press Enter or + to expand the drive menu then down to "SATA Operation", press Enter.

Change the SATA operation mode to "RAID Autodetect/ATA" press ESC to save and exit the BIOS.

Bev.

Lockex · Answer

The link is great. It has essentially solved my problem. I now understand that I need to perform an "F6" installation. I just need to figure out where to get the RAID driver for my computer. Is the driver on the Dell CD or do I get it from Intel?

Locke

Lockex · Answer

Thanks, Bev. I think that may work. But before I change from the "AHCI" mode to the "ATA" mode I would like to attempt to complete the "F6" installation. For this I need the RAID driver. But I don't know where to find it. Is it on the "Drivers and Utilities" disk provided by Dell or do I need to go to Intel to download it?

Thanks for any additional help.

RobinBredin · Answer

Hi Lockex, You will need this RAID driver HERE,<ADMIN NOTE: Broken link has been removed / replaced from this post by Dell> for your F6 installation.

shesagordie · Answer

Lockex To install the RAID driver [F6], you need an internal floppy drive. Bev.

Lockex · Answer

Thanks to everyone for their help!  I am up and running on the new drive,  I am now busy reinstalling all my software.  Thanks again!   Locke

shesagordie · Answer

Lockex Happy to hear the problem is resolved. Have a great holiday. Bev.

DCX4EVER · Answer

This has been a very informative thread for me but, just to clarify:

Am I understanding correctly that the RAID driver (R82876.exe) needs to be installed even if there is only one hard drive, a SATA, in the Dimension 8400 system, even when you have no plans to install a second hard drive? (YES since it has the sata drivers required to run under the XP operating system)
The only way to install the RAID driver is to do a clean install of Windows XP Professional. In other words, I start the process by downloading R82876.exe to a floppy, reboot the computer to launch the Windows XP Professional CD, insert the floppy into the computer at the F6 prompt, and R82876.exe will load automatically at that point. Correct? (To be exact the exe file will create the files on the floppy that are needed for the f6 option)
Finally, is the missing driver related to the prompt that I have received to install the Intel Matrix Storage after recovering from a blue screen? I have a separate post for that: Intel Matrix Storage missing on Dimension 8400 (This is the missing driver that you need to avoid the Blue Screen)

Toronto1 · Answer

Hi,

This has been a very informative thread for me but, just to clarify:

Am I understanding correctly that the RAID driver (R82876.exe) needs to be installed even if there is only one hard drive, a SATA, in the Dimension 8400 system, even when you have no plans to install a second hard drive?
The only way to install the RAID driver is to do a clean install of Windows XP Professional. In other words, I start the process by downloading R82876.exe to a floppy, reboot the computer to launch the Windows XP Professional CD, insert the floppy into the computer at the F6 prompt, and R82876.exe will load automatically at that point. Correct?
Finally, is the missing driver related to the prompt that I have received to install the Intel Matrix Storage after recovering from a blue screen? I have a separate post for that: Intel Matrix Storage missing on Dimension 8400

Thanks in advance!

shesagordie · Answer

Toronto1

To use the F6 option to install the RAID driver, you need an internal floppy drive, an USB external FD will not work.

If you reinstalling XPand don't an internal floppy drive, or are not using RAID, the following may help you

Enter the system setup, scroll down to drives, press Enter or + to expand the drive menu then down to "SATA Operation", press Enter.
Change the SATA operation mode to "RAID Autodetect/ATA" press ESC to save and exit the BIOS.
Then XP should install without a problem.

Bev.

Storage, Drives & Media

Installing XP on new hard drive on Dimension 8400

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