[redsniper]

So I built my first computer and it turned on just fine, but now I'm trying to set up the hard drive so I can install Windows. It's a Maxtor DiamondMax 9 Plus. It came with an installation CD that says to boot from the cd if there's no OS. If I boot from the cd it gets part way through loading the set up program, then stops. So I put the cd in my current comp and used a utility on the disk that makes a boot floppy in case you can't boot from cd. It didn't work either. I went to maxtor's website where they have both an .iso for the cd and a program to make the boot floppy. I've burnt a cd and made a floppy and they both don't work either. So, what should I do now?

[redsniper]

I suppose that it's worth noting that the software ran twice, but it sure doesn't run now. When it did run it would freeze on the license agreement after I clicked on Install.

[Taristin]

Bad HDD?

[Grey Wolf]

Have you tried just installing Windows and ignoring the instructions that came with the drive? The only reason you would need to install any software before running Windows is if you had a SATA or SCSI drive, and then it would prompt you during the Windows install.

[Admiral LSD]

Yeah, just boot the Windows CD and set the hard drive up that way (The XP setup has it's own, albeit fairly basic, partition program). That's all I've ever had to do. The software is usually only for computers with brain dead disk addressing to help them access the full capacity of the drive, on recent computers it shouldn't be necessary.

[Xelion]

I had a similar problem, I had to copy files from my CD to a floppy to install my SATA HDD, of course everything after that point was fine.

Suggestions (At this point I'll mention that SATA drives work only with Windows XP, not too sure about 2K but I think they do)

• Run a low-level format through the SATA/SCSI Interface and then try again.
• Contact Maxtor support
• Get a replacement or exchange for the HDD[/color]
  

Hope this helps somewhat . I think the upcoming Windows XP SP2 OS will have support for SATA drives with out installing external drivers.

[Arc]

I'm using a Maxtor Diamondmax 9. I got an OEM box though rather than a retail box so I didn't get a cd with it.

If you have an IDE version (the exact same as mine) then you don't need anything else. Just boot your Windows cd and go.

If you've got a SATA version, you need the SATA drivers that came with your motherboard (my Abit ones are on a separate floppy disk). Boot from the Windows cd, but watch the status bar at the bottom. During the first stage of initialising the setup it'll say something like "Press F6 to install additional mass storage device drivers". I've never had to do this myself, but I'd expect it'll look for a floppy disk at that point. Once it loads those drivers, I think everything else is exactly the same as with an IDE drive.

AFAIK, SATA drives work fine on both XP and 2k.  I'm not sure what this cd you got is, but I didn't need one for my drive. (XP Pro, Maxtor DM9, Abit NF7-S mobo)

[redsniper]

yes, I've got the SATA version. What will happen if I do a low level format?

[Grey Wolf]

Not much. Windows formats a drive before using it anyway. Just ignore the instructions, go to install Windows, then install your Asus SATA drivers.

[redsniper]

none of the parts I bought came with floppy disks, just CDs. and since the Win XP CD is in the drive and it's expecting a floppy that won't work. But it's ok because I managed to get the Maxtor CD working by screwing around in the BIOS for a while. The HD is now all partitioned and stuff, but XP won't detect it on setup because the drivers aren't installed and I need the drivers on a floppy. So, now I'm scouring maxtor's sucky website for their Serial ATA/150 drivers.

EDIT: hehehe, post 666! ph34r:drevil:

[Stealth]

Originally posted by Arc
During the first stage of initialising the setup it'll say something like "Press F6 to install additional mass storage device drivers". I've never had to do this myself, but I'd expect it'll look for a floppy disk at that point. Once it loads those drivers, I think everything else is exactly the same as with an IDE drive.

that is correct, once you press F6, insert a floppy disk.  it will then ask you which drivers to load or something like that, and usually you just press "enter" the whole way through.

low-level, or zero-filling your drive, is like a hardcore format.  every sector is erased, completely.  but be careful, you can really screw it up if you use it wrong.  it won't fix any bad sectors, although it will fix any that have been mismarked. it will pretty much make your hard drive as if you'd first bought it, with no partitions, data, etc. on it.

[redsniper]

i don't have the floppy, i don't have the floppy, i don't have the floppy, i don't have the floppy, i don't have the floppy...

[Stealth]

oh sorry, i wasn't saying that's what you should do, i was just replying to what Arc said.

[Admiral LSD]

Originally posted by redsniper
i don't have the floppy, i don't have the floppy, i don't have the floppy, i don't have the floppy, i don't have the floppy...

Go here:

http://12.24.47.40/?cid=2&c=12&cpc=ULwO0A442oKs512Q04X5i0UupP4SveI6dt2WJi7

On the left is a list of folders. You want DOWNLOADS -> Drivers -> SiI3x12. Once there you'll se a list of drivers for various operating systems. Select "SiI3x12: Serial ATA (SATA) Windows RAID Driver - Released" and you'll be presented with not only the drivers you need but also instructions on how to create the floppy needed to install 2k/XP.

edit: Oh, and don't forget to letterbomb Asus for not including the disk in the first place.

[Arc]

Originally posted by redsniper
I'm scouring maxtor's sucky website for their Serial ATA/150 drivers.

It's Asus' website you should be looking at, not Maxtor. The drivers are for the SATA controller rather than your harddrive.

Admiral LSD's link is to the right drivers for the controller on your mobo (Silicon Image Sil 3112A), if you get problems you can also get them off Asus' website:
http://www.asus.com/support/download/item.aspx?ModelName=A7N8X%20Deluxe
Just click on "Drivers" near the top-middle of the page.

[redsniper]

ooooh, mobo drivers....
I feel dumb now

[Xelion]

Originally posted by Admiral LSD
edit: Oh, and don't forget to letterbomb Asus for not including the disk in the first place.

Asus is not responsible for this, the driver is included on the NVIDIA Motherboard CD, you have to copy certain files to a floppy disk.. and then use that when prompted to install a controller!