Attempted to install OS, Error recognizing HDDs.

[Tearathal]

I set up the RAID array and set it to striping and 16k to start. Now I stick in my OS disk to install Windos XP and it goes to the blue loading screen, and loads a bunch of crap, and then it asks me if I would like to continue and I hit Enter, and it goes.

NOW " Setup did not find any hard disk drives installed in your computer. Make sure any HDDs are powered on and properly connected to your computer, and that any disk related hardware configuration is correct. This may involve running a manufacturer supplied diagnostic or setup program. Setup cannot continue, press F3 to exit.

Well my BIOS detected both drives, and has them both listed as MASTER drives, and setting up the raid array worked also, so Now im just confused lol.

[zekrahminator]

Erm, you need to install fancy RAID drivers. Look in your motherboard manual on how to put drivers onto a floppy disk, do so, and then restart windows setup. It will ask you at first "press F6 to install (fancy hard drive drivers)". Do that, make sure the floppy is in, and then it will auto detect and install the drivers. Then setup should proceed as normal :).

[Tearathal]

I don't have a Floppy drive, is it doable with just a disk because I have two optical drives?

[zekrahminator]

You'll have to look at your motherboard manual, it knows a lot more about setting up RAID than I do :p.

[DanTheBanjoman]

Windows setup for some reason requires a floppy drive for drivers. It's really stupid. However you can use a program like nLite to add the driver to your Windows disk.

[ktr]

you can also use nlite and slipstream the drivers in. but the floppy drive method is so much easier.

[ktr]

Also, let me add that usb floppy drives work also.

[Wile E]

I personally use nLite. You can also use it to set up an unattended install (set up and choose your partition, then walk away until it's done)

http://www.nliteos.com/

When using it to add drivers, download the floppy drivers for your mobo and version of XP and unzip them to a folder, once you get to the screen in nLite that allows you to integrate drivers, click insert and select multiple driver folder, then point to the folder where you uzipped your floppy drivers. If you dare to try removing components, google around to find a guide on what is and isn't safe to remove. I built a version of Pro for a friend that boots to less than 100MB.

[Tearathal]

I have a usb flashdrive that may be able to do it, would that work instead of a Floppy?

[DanTheBanjoman]

Only if your BIOS supports floppy emulation using an USB device. Some BIOS can tell the system that an USB device is a floppy drive.

[Tearathal]

I'm going to try nLite right now :)