Accessing hidden Hard disks

Sometimes when you try to format and install Windows XP a ‘Setup did not find and hard disk drives’ message is displayed. What do you do?

The problem arises if you have a system with a serial ATA hard disk. The original XP setup CD does not contain a suitable driver for the SATA controller chip on the motherboard due to which the setup cannot detect the hard disk. You can integrate the missing driver directly when booting. The driver is usually available with the PC or the motherboard on a CD. It is also available on the Internet at the motherboard or PC manufacturer’s website. Often, the manufacturer’s page also contains a program for creating a suitable hard disk. Intel provides the relevant software for its integrated hard disk controllers such as UCH7R and ICH8R at www.downloadcenter.intel.com, for example under the names ‘Chipset -> Chipset Software ->Intel Matrix Storage Manager’ and ’32 bit disk configuration program’. You can also download the configuration program using another PC.

After inserting the disk, you need to run the tool. Then, boot the computer on which you want to install Windows from the CD and press [F6] at first step screen. Now insert the driver disk and press [Enter]. The setup lists the available drivers. Select the one that is suitable for your computer and press [Enter]. Windows integrates the SATA driver and finds the hard disk in the next step.