reformatting with Windows XP cd - no partition found

[Jakeman1086]

I am trying to reformat my laptop with a Windows XP 32-bit w/SP2 cd. When I boot from cd and the screen that allows me to delete/create partitions and install windows on selected partition comes up, it does not show my internal drives as partitions (my C: and D: drives). It will show external drives if they are connected, but that's it. I've never encountered this problem before. I've tried multiple Windows cd's, all do this.

I can still run my laptop fine. I just can't see these partitions when trying to reformat. Help?

 

[johnb35]

Your laptop is using either ahci or raid mode and thats why the xp install cd can't see any hard drives. Look in your bios to see if there are any options to change the SATA controller setting from ahci/raid to native IDE or IDE. If not then you will have to slipstream the sata controller driver into a new install cd.

 

[rif]

To slipstream sata drivers to the disc, you'll need the following:

sata drivers from your computer manufacturer support web site
windows xp cd (you already have that)
download and install nlite
a blank cd-r

perform the following steps:

download and install the sata drivers
download and install nlite
run nlite
when prompted with task selection, make sure drivers and bootable iso at the very least are enabled
when prompted at the drivers screen, click insert and browse to the sata drivers

burn the cd or iso and youre good to go