New SYS, HDD NOT partioning correctly, cant install OS! HELP

[muskyt]

Ok so I've been trying to get my OS loaded on my new build and I can't seem to get XP loaded because it says my HDD encounters an error and it cant be formatted/partioned to load windows... this is my first build and I'm about out of ideas. Everything turns on and loads fine. I have no problem getting into BIOS. It just wont load XP seemingly because of my harddrive. I've read somewhere that bc its SATA i'd need to preload the drivers for XP to recognise it... so I did so accordingly, but to no avail. Also, I'm fairly certain my bios needs updating (could this be the problem?) but the flashing instructions on ABIT's site are pretty confusing. If anyone is experiencing these problems and/or can help explain the Flashing issue that would be very appreciated! Here's what I've got....

*also when adding the bios update (an911.bin) to the floppy disk i get this message "Cannot Copy an911.bin : The drive cannot find the sector requested" Any ideas? this is creating yet another road block in my updating the bios to see if it will correct my formatting issue. I'd really appreciated any help. Thank you.

Athlon x2 64 3800+
ABIT AN9 Fatal1ty
Western Digital SE16 250gb SATA
Corsair xms2 (2x1gb) 5-5-5-12
xfx 7600gt XXXedition
Hiper TypeR 580w PSU

 

[Robc1880]

Sounds like you would need the BIOS update, but first thing i would do is run memtest on your RAM. A lot of times when a WinXP install has trouble the RAM or PSU is the culprit. Your PSU looks pretty good but I would definitely test the RAM with memtest and check for errors. Also try a CMOS clear to see if that helps and load optimized defaults

 

[muskyt]

Sounds like you would need the BIOS update, but first thing i would do is run memtest on your RAM. A lot of times when a WinXP install has trouble the RAM or PSU is the culprit. Your PSU looks pretty good but I would definitely test the RAM with memtest and check for errors. Also try a CMOS clear to see if that helps and load optimized defaults

I'll give that a try and see what comes of it. Thanks

 

[slicessoul]

Does the BIOS can see correctly your HDD ?

Have you tried to make partitions by using software tools from WD site ?

Are there any jumper connected on your HDD ?

Did you set your HDD as RAID in BIOS ?

 

[muskyt]

Ok so now I've successfully updated BIOS to version1.1 and the same thing is happening when I try to install XP. I've gone back and listed in more detail what exactly has been going wrong below. Also I ran Western Digitals Data Lifeguard Diagnostics prog on the WD2500ks.

@ Windows XP Setup installation "Setup was unable to format the partition. The Disk may be damaged."

In my BIOS...
@ Standard CMOS Features:
IDE Channel 1 Master = NEC DVD_RW
IDE Channel 1 Slave = None
IDE Channel 3 Master = WDC WD2500ks
IDE Channels 4-8 = None

In BIOS @ Integrated Peripherals...
OnChip IDE/Raid Function = Enabled

Western Digital Lifeguard Diag Test:
Results from "quick test"=
"Please contact tech support - Drive 0 @ Port 0 0x09F0 Reported a SMART ERROR.
Smart Attributes= Basically a list of things with "Value, THRESH, and WORST" where the values seem to be far under or over the THRESH. "Warning! One of more current or worst-case attributes are below threshold."

So was this new HDD just DOA and thats why it doesnt seem to be working? I really am lost now and am beginning to think i've biten of more than I can chew because Im not very familiar with all the BIOS settings and their subsequent effect.

Hopefully all this will help to answer some of the questions you've asked me. Once again thanks alot. Anymore help would be amazing. Ive lost 2 days of my life so far

*No jumpers on HDD (SATA doesnt need Master/Slave, right??)
*Not planning on running RAID in the near future

*is it possible to run the Memtest on my Ram without an OS? When I looked at it it seemed as if it needed windows...

 

[impreza]

It could be a problem withthe hard drive, you could try putting it in another computer and see if it works. I had the same problem and i found out that only the first 2 or so gb worked and the rest was dead.

 

[slicessoul]

Memtest is an independent software. it doesn't run on Windows. It's a bootable run on DOS. You have to copy the program to a floppy disk or burn it in cd.

Yes on SATA there's no Master or slave, but they still have jumper for changing the transfer rate (SATA I / SATA II), and another 3 functions. Well, you can check in WD site for a clear explications, i don't quite remember for what...

SATA cable is in good condition ?

Can you see in BIOS, setting to change from Legacy or Enhanced or Native support HDD or things like that. Windows XP use a Native settings.

try to turn off your SMART.

I supposed you still have warranty on this HDD ("your first build"), try to RMA it.

 

[flabbergasted]

Try booting with only one stick of memory.

 

[rcs2749]

Do you need to load the sata drivers at the beginning of the XP install (F6)?

 

[Wgfalcon]

as i understand it smart errors are hd hardware specific errors reported by the hd and can't caused by external problems smart error = bad hd everytime

 

[The_OGS]

So was this new HDD just DOA and thats why it doesnt seem to be working?

Yes - DOA.
You have found your dead HD, why are you still looking?
How will 1 stick of RAM and memtest etc. help your HD?
You will want to put your (new) harddisk on that first controller and your CD somewhere lower down the controller list.
Abit AN9 shouldn't need F6 drivers, WD software, jumpers etc.
It should just work... as long as your XP disk is SP2 or at least SP1,
Regards