Cannot format computer

atiq

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Mar 7, 2010
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Hello All,

I have a HP Pavilion Desktop that needs to have windows XP reinstalled, when I run setup in Bios, I get a message saying computer cannot detect Hard Drive (SATA) so therefore cannot continue with setup.

If I boot the computer in normal mode, it will go all the way through to the desktop and I can see the C drive in My Computer.

I have had a look in the Bios settings and can see all drives.

Totally at logger heads with one, any help would be appreciated.

Regards
Atiq
 

ram1009

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You seem to be contradicting yourself. First you say: "when I run setup in Bios, I get a message saying computer cannot detect Hard Drive " Then you say: "I have had a look in the Bios settings and can see all drives." Please clarify.
 

atiq

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Hello Ram1009

When I run the windows XP CD at start up and come to the point to choose which drive I want to install XP on I cannot see it.

But if I press F10 at startup and go into system up I can see my drives.

Hope this helps

Regards
Atiq
 

TenPc

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It might be better to just do an upgrade with the OS disk rather than reinstall. All you need to do is insert the cd disk at desktop level and then choose Install, a dropdown option will suggest "Upgrade(Recommended)". Upgrade will not remove any of your own files just upgrade the system to what you had when you first installed, more like a downgrade, though, as all the updates might also be removed..
 

ram1009

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The distribution disks for XP contain a repair facility that will ONLY restore the operating system files. If you can get this to work you will need to do a lot of updating. If you are prepared to lose your data you might try removing the HDD and re-formatting it on another computer. If I were you I would give serious consideration to updating to W7/W8 since support for XP will end soon.
 


Support for XP already ended, Feb 20, 2013.

 

atiq

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Computer belongs to a Old (80 Year Old) Friend who has used nothing but XP

Probably moving to 7/8 might kill him with confusion - LOL

Regards
Atiq
 

TenPc

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I still use XP, one with SP3 and anothe PC with SP2. One is used for audio editing and the other I use for XP games. I rarely do updates, they work just fine. I've got another with SP1 but its in storage, I used to do video editing about 6 years ago but it took too much grunt work, also used to do VB6 programming on it as well.

There would be more than 40% of the PC population still using XP, for one reason or another. In poorer countries, and even at many schools and universites, XP is still in use.

If your old friend wants XP then let him have it.

Why do a reinstall, what issues are plaguing the PC?
 

ram1009

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I believe that date has been extended. http://www.howtogeek.com/147312/microsoft-is-ending-sup...

I know I still get updates on this machine.
 

atiq

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Thanks mate,

Went into system setup and changed the SATA drive from RAID to IDE this worked a treat - Many Thanks

Atiq