Weird computer issues... help?

SomeCallMeTim? · 09-08-2009, 07:34 PM

Hey guys.
The issue is as follows:
I have this motherboard and am trying to set up a secondary internal hard drive using SATA connections, but the motherboard does not even recognise that there is a HD plugged into the SATA connections. I have tried using different cables and trying the SATA1 and SATA2 ports to no avail.

Also, I have been trying to reformat my primary drive, but when I do so I get an error message which reads "Windows cannot format this drive. Quit any disk utilities or other programs that are using this drive, and make sure that no window is displaying the contents of this drive. Then try formatting again." and as far as I can discern I have done what it says to do, and the message persists.

Cam42 · 09-08-2009, 08:24 PM

Is windows installed on your primary drive?

SomeCallMeTim? · 09-08-2009, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cam42

Is windows installed on your primary drive?

It is, xp pro to be precise.

Cam42 · 09-08-2009, 09:33 PM

Please read my entire post before carrying on with any of these instructions.
And backup any data you want to keep. Please.
First off, may I ask why you want to reformat?

You can't reformat a drive while it's in use. it just won't work. If you really want to reformat, Download GParted, burn it to a disc, and reboot with the disc in the drive. If your computer does not boot from the disc, you'll have to edit your BIOS settings to boot from your CD drive first, and then your hard drive second. Once you're in GParted delete the NTFS Partition (MAKE SURE YOU'VE BACKED UP ANY DATA YOU WANT TO KEEP. REFORMATTING WILL ERASE YOUR ENTIRE HARD DRIVE.), and create a new one. This will require re-installing windows, so make sure you have the XP disc somewhere

SomeCallMeTim? · 09-08-2009, 09:42 PM

ok, that makes sense. I don't have an xp disc though, but i imagine i could download an iso and burn that.
I am wanting to reformat because i have been having some issues with the drive and haven't reformatted it in years.
Thanks!

Cam42 · 09-08-2009, 10:19 PM

Make sure you have the license key.
If you do torrent an iso, you're entering legally murky waters.
Alternatively, You could try Linux. There's a sticky thread in this forum about it.

SomeCallMeTim? · 09-08-2009, 11:14 PM

I do have a liscense key, and last I checked, Canadian laws regard only making software available for download, and not the receiving end of a torrent.
My original plan was to dual boot windows and linux, but now that I have a smartphone I will mainly use my computer for games, so linux isn't a stellar choice.

MrCrabby · 09-09-2009, 09:20 AM

As for the new drive not being recognized.....
Is your old drive a PATA drive? If so, you may need to enter the BIOS (by holding down DEL, F1, F12, or something of that nature) and look for the setting to enable or disable the SATA controller (looks like it's a VIA controller, I'm more familiar with JMicron). Occasionally, the SATA controller is disabled by default.

SomeCallMeTim? · 09-09-2009, 09:26 AM

The old drive is PATA, and I have been unable to find anything useful in the BIOS, but I will look again, knowing more specifically what I need. Thanks.

SomeCallMeTim? · 09-10-2009, 01:49 PM

I found an iso for windows and am running GParted right now.
I looked in the BIOS and the closest thing to useful that I found was that "OnChip SATA BOOTROM" was already enabled.

MrCrabby · 09-11-2009, 12:11 AM

Yeah, I just checked your manual and it seems that everything is enabled by default.
The drive doesn't even show up in the the "manage" computer function under "storage"?

SomeCallMeTim? · 09-15-2009, 07:24 PM

I'm not sure where this function is found...
But the good news is the reformat worked well and I am back online.

RipVanWinkle · 09-15-2009, 09:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SomeCallMeTim?

The old drive is PATA,...

Are you sure its not a PITA drive