Does nLite make up passwords?

[dusty2all]

unless there is a formatted partition on that drive, it will not install everything else on the 320.

You probably need to create a primary partition on that drive then reboot so it takes the C letter or maybe swap your SATA cables so that the 320Gig comes first.

Ponch - A primary partition on which drive? The 500? There is a 10 GB partition there. The other 99% of that drive is unformatted. The 320 has four primary partitions. I can easily swap the SATA cables on the motherboard so I will do that first. Thanks for the response.

[dusty2all]

dusty2all, I have not installed on a system with more than one HDD. I assume when Setup starts, it will show you a list of all partitions on all HDDs. You select the one you want to install to and partition/format as you wish. I have three partitions on my HDD (under VMware Server), and I get a dialog asking me where I want to install. Are you not getting asked about both drives?

I get that dialog with an addendum that there must be formatted space on the 500 GB in order to install the operating system on the 320. I will try it again after I switch the SATA cables (per Ponch) and if that doesn't solve the problem I can make note of exactly what that screen says when I get to it. I am reinstalling XP this morning.

If you select the 320 and select to format it, does it give an error? Are there multiple partitions on the 320? Has it been used before? Enjoy, John.

Yes. It was the secondary drive on my other computer. Whatever was on the drive was formatted away--actually Partition Magic blew it away--and there are now four newly created partitions, all of which XP sees when I try to install it. What do you mean by "select to format it?" Are you talking about the screen where it gives the option format it NTFS or leave the drive alone? It was formatted NTFS by my partitioning program. I always let XP do NTFS its own way and there has never been any problem with it completing properly. I don't let XP create partitions. though. I have had all sorts of grief when I did that.

[dusty2all]

(snip)... maybe swap your SATA cables so that the 320Gig comes first.

UPDATE: Well, I swapped the locations of the SATA cables on the motherboard and now my computer won't start! I checked my connector to the on / off switch and it appears to be fine, then I looked at the connector to the switch itself and nothing had changed there. This is strange and getting stranger.

[johnhc]

dusty2all, when you say "won't start!", do mean it won't power up or it won't try to boot? If it is the first, you have knocked loose a cable somewhere or can't guess. Many newer MBs have a power on button on the board, so try that. If it is the latter, then perhaps your SATA cables are not seated properly. By select it to format, I meant to select a partition and try to format it. If you do not want the defined partitions, then tell Windows Setup to partition it as you prefer. Then format and try your install. Hope things get better and less weird soon. Perhaps swap your SATA cables back. Enjoy, John.

[dusty2all]

dusty2all, when you say "won't start!", do mean it won't power up or it won't try to boot? If it is the first, you have knocked loose a cable somewhere or can't guess. Many newer MBs have a power on button on the board, so try that. If it is the latter, then perhaps your SATA cables are not seated properly.

It will not power up. No fans, nothing. I have checked all the relevant cables and nothing has changed. I will see if I can find a power button on the board. It happens to be a Gigabyte M61P-S3. You need a microscope to see the pins and the connector for the on / off. I was surprised I ever got it to work in the first place.

By select it to format, I meant to select a partition and try to format it. If you do not want the defined partitions, then tell Windows Setup to partition it as you prefer. Then format and try your install. Hope things get better and less weird soon. Perhaps swap your SATA cables back. Enjoy, John.

I swapped the cables back and that did not solve the problem. I have thread going on the Gigabyte board as well. My experience with XP partitioning was disastrous. Never again. Of course, that is just MY experience. It might work for other people.

[JGunter]

Dusty2all,

I'm with the rest of the guys here, format and make a new disc. Going the Windows Recovery console route would be messy.

As far as the computer not starting, try disconnecting the power and from everything except your motherboard and graphics card (If it has a power port). I had a harddrive that when it is hooked up to the power supply the computer would not start. If that doesn't work try resetting the CMOS. This usually can be done by disconnecting the power cord from the power supply and removing the battery from the motherboard (It's about the size of a quarter). Wait about 3 minutes insert the battery and (Or you can use a metal object to connect the positive and negative pins in the battery holder to make them short for five seconds.) reconnect the power supply to an outlet.

I myself have had some tricky problems with SATA harddrives. Even when integrating the drivers and chipset software I get stuck with the "endless reboot". I was puzzled by this for the longest time, then realized by going into the BIOS I could set the SATA compatibility. You might want to try loading Fail-Safe Defaults for your Gigabyte board.