I can't get install to work. Install runs great till I have to format partition. No matter what option I use, setup on selected item , or create partition in unpartitioned space I Keep getting setup unable to format. Disk could be damaged. Problem with that is I have tried with 2 different hard drives and both test fine and work on different systems. I was also reading about recovery disk. I don't have any. Do I need to go that route or is there alternative method. I have student xp disk. I have LL formatted and retried enough to know it will not work the way I am doing it. HP a420n desk top, help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Bios recognizes hd fine. About hirens instruction, see drive, repair/mount drive. I don't understand why. I do have hirens boot cd though. Thanks for reply.
If the HDD is being recognized by Bios then next to check additional bios settings (ahci, sata etc.) if that does not apply next question is why does it not mount .. Path (repair with hiren's) .. CD is dirty or scratched ?
No settings in bios for (ahci, sata etc.). Old bios anyway. Can't update bios till I get xp os working anyway. I will get Hiren cd but will need instructions on how to use to mount and repair.
Redroad talk to me. I believe if update bios I can correct my install problem maybe. The update for bios is win executable. Have to do it from windows. How do I get bios from .exe file?
use 2 floppys maybe 1 dos boot and then when in dos remove first put in 2nd with BIOs files and point to it I'm on my way to bed.. if you have further problems or questions I'll be back tomorrow and take a look. Wish you well There are more choices so don't lose hope
if you are intent on flashing the bios, the package can be unzipped with 7ip. the bios is 512kb and will fit on the floppy. it is 310.rom or something. put this file on the floppy with awardflash and flash from dos, this should be the best way anyways. I dont think the issue is the bios, but you can try if you like. awardflash is available in many incarnations here in the forums. You may need to change the bios.rom to bios.bin. good luck. two floppys is not a good idea..
if memtest shows all ok then set HDD to LBA not LARGE in bios setting of the hdd .. an issue i ran into rarely. or the HDD is defective= check S.M.A.R.T. logs with hirens tools to flash bios from usb.. u have to go to hdd order in bios with usb plugged in and switch order for usb to be first HDD and second the internal. not relevant to XP if u do a mod for slic on this bios .. use ISA dont use dynamic.