Problem Installing MCE (OEM version)

Question

I bought an OEM version of MCE with remote and I'm trying to install it on my Dell 8400 with not luck. I reformatted the hard drive clean and all drives are recognized in the Bios settings but when I try to load MCE it says that it can't find my hard drive (SATA 160 GB original equipment from Dell). A message comes up and sayz hit F6 and load drivers in 'A' drive. I don't have a 3.5' floopy 'A' drive so I cut the drivers for the hard drive to a CD and tried using the cd with no luck.   Any suggestions?

bjoy · Answer

Everybody who has an 8400 has that issue -- Microsoft has yet to produce an XP install with drivers for its RAID chipset.  Search the Dimension forums for numerous discussions on this.   Last I heard your best bet is to install a floppy drive so you can supply the needed driver if you want to use RAID.  If you don't care about RAID, you can configure this in the BIOS and the XP installer should work because the driver will not be needed.

bedastud · Answer

I have Dell 8400 and i did downloaded (OEM) MCE 2005 (clean install) with no problems. How many hard drives you have and in what configuration? I have one Dell original ATA 160 GB and i added  second ATA 160GB.No Raid configuration .Dell service dosn't  wont to help me with Hard drive installation they ask me to pay for support..  The Dell sales told me I will have full installation support .      I did install it  my self  as active drive G .                                                                       Can any one direct me to Raid setup?  Will the CME 2005 work then?                   Thanks Beda

geodan · Answer

I only have one hard drive and it is the SATA 160 GB. I'm a little new to the whole Raid configuration and I didn't think I had to concern myself with it since I had only one drive. But thanks for the tip. I will check my hard drive configuration and give it a go.

geodan · Answer

I have one Dell original serial ATA 160 GB hard drive, similar to yours so it is a little weird that your MCE loaded no problem. Do you have a 3.5" floppy? and did you need to load any drivers. Based on one of the other messages I'm going to check my raid configuration and see what happens.

How do you like the MCE? Is it worth it?

bedastud · Answer

Let me be more specific about my download First I did try to installed my self. I run in to similar problem like you and more.  I contact Dell service .They ask me if i purchased the program from Dell (which I didn't), I have to contact the MCE service department. I never did get in contact with them as the phone was cut of or i have been on hold for half an hour or more. When I phone normal service fourth time i ask to help me with clean install of MCE and he did . We change some settings in System setup Utilities for drives and Boot sequence. The installation is not any different than any other window XP from CD. The only difference is that   you are ask to insert 2 nd CD SP2 , what tat mean you insert  your 2nd MCE CD .I had SoundMax integrated Audio 5.1 and i install Audigy 2 ZS platinum pro. I had  to deleted the 5.1 from Device Manager and disable in bias'Integrated Audio OFF'. Some links for clean  install   http://www.theeldergeek.com/clean_installation_of_windows_xp.htm                                 http://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg.asp                                                         http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_abc.htm          I do not have Floppy .I love the MCE 2005 platform. I have only X800 SE and Audigy 2ZS Plat. Pro I will wait for Good components for Remote operation  TV tuner . If you reed Reviews and Forums ther is Deficiencies with existing Devices.  BEDA

neowin73 · Answer

Go into the Bios and make sure you turn Sata operation to Auto ATA and make sure your SATA hard drive is turned on.  That is why you are receiving that error about no hard drive.

simpswr · Answer

I have encountered this problem on several 8400's . . the simplest solution for me is to temporarily install a FDD and load the SATA drivers to a floppy . . FDD's are cheap . . be sure to get a floppy data cable also. . twisted end attaches to the FDD.

wrs

geodan · Answer

Thanks for the feedback. That is exactly what I ended up doing. After changing the raid setting in the bios without any luck I finally just pulled the floppy from my old machine and temporarily let it dangle long enough to load the drivers during the OEM MCE install. Seems like a silly thing to have to do but it worked and my MCE loaded no problem.

simpswr · Answer

Glad you got it going . . wrs

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