nlite Install Defaults To Drive "E"

[HardwareGuy]

Background

My Dell Inspiron 1545 crashed and I had to reformat the hard disk. The Inspiron 1545 has no FDD and uses a SATA integrated controller. Internet posts recommend using nlite to preconfigure a custom OS disk to bypass the F6 problem during the XP installation. I downloaded the latest version of nlite, followed the instructions, and created an ISO file with XP and the required drivers for the 1545. Note that Dell did not include a XP recover disc, only one for Vista, and I will not install Vista. Also note that the preparation of the nlite 1545 installation disc was performed on a Dell Dimension 8400 running XP Pro SP3 with the latest security and critical updates installed.

Problem

I configured an unattended install, first using the original XP Pro with SP2 CD and the drivers for the 1545. The XP installation continues as expected until the creation of a partition and formatting the hard disk drive is encountered. I create a single partition on the 250Gb Seagate drive and format it using NTFS. (There is only one hard disk drive and one CD/DVD drive installed in the 1545.) The message that displays notes that "DRIVE 0" is being formatted, which is what I would expect. However, immediately after the format has completed, a message displays that "...files are being copied to drive E" (or words to that effect).

The installation completes with no problems whatsoever. All the custom tweaks and component settings have been made, the drivers for the audio and video and NIC installed, everything is perfect... Except the system hard disk drive has been designated drive "E" for some reason. Unfortunately the drive letter designator for the system drive cannot be changed using any software that I've been able to find.

Troubleshooting

I have performed the reconfiguration of nlite a number of times using first the standard disc with SP2. I also tried a number of variations to the nlite installation configuration using SP3, including or excluding custom components and tweak settings, etc. All told I've performed six installations on the Dell 1545 using nlite and each results in an install to drive "E". Prior to each installation I use Seagate's DiscWizard to wipe the HDD on the 1545.

I originally selected nlite because of the need to load the SATA/SCSI drivers during the XP installation. I located a post that suggested changing the BIOS setting of the SATA controller from ACHI to ATA which eliminates the original F6 problem. In other words, with ATA enabled, the original Microsoft XP Pro with SP2 installs with no problem. During the hard disk drive partition and format process DRIVE 0 is partitioned and formatted and the XP system files are copied to DRIVE "C" as they should be!

Just as a test, I performed another wipe disk and attempted to reinstall XP from the nlite disc with ATA still enabled in the BIOS. Same problem... XP designates the 1545's HDD as drive "E" instead of "C".

As noted I don't need to use nlite any longer to get my laptop up and running but I'm really curious as to why I seem to be the only one having this problem. Any ideas?

[Guest]

Attached media card readers (for CompactFlash, Memory Stick, SD, xD, etc.) will cause your symptoms. The only solution is to disconnect or disable them until the operating system is installed.

[johnhc]

HardwareGuy, I think you are saying that you are just curious and will not try to really determine what is going on with the nLite install. Interesting. If you will right click My Computer, select Manage then Disk Manager you will see a graphic display of your disks. Right click your problematic partition and select the "Change drive letter and paths...". I think you will find this a way to change your E to C. I am curious what C and D are assigned to if anything. In general AHCI will give you better performance than ATA, but does require text mode drivers. Of course, nLite has nothing to do with selecting the install disk, you do that at the front end of install. When you used the ATA setting (no F6), did you use the nLited CD or just the original? I suspect that if you had used the nLited CD, it would have installed on the C not E. I also suspect the condition is caused by your machine. You might consider the Dell forum or an e-mail to Dell support. Enjoy, John.

[HardwareGuy]

johnhc:

Thanks for the suggestions. I already attempted to change the drive letter designator as you described but that's where XP informed me I couldn't do this to a "system disk."

Secondly, I did use the "nlited" CD to perform the test installation in conjunction with the BIOS ATA setting but that ended with the same result.

Thirdly, I recreated the nlite CD without including the SATA drivers because of my selecting ATA in the BIOS. No luck there either.

I had purchased two Dell Inspiron 1545s last August: one for me and one for my daughter who was about to leave for college. My intention was to create the nlite installation disk using my 1545 and send her a copy in case she had a problem while away at school. nlite would simplify the reinstall process very nicely with me performing some over-the-phone support to get her back up and running quickly. I'd even be interested in purchasing a "Professional" version of nlite should one become available someday - just because of how much it streamlines the entire installation process of XP. First I have to get past this problem though.

HardwareGuy, I think you are saying that you are just curious and will not try to really determine what is going on with the nLite install. Interesting. If you will right click My Computer, select Manage then Disk Manager you will see a graphic display of your disks. Right click your problematic partition and select the "Change drive letter and paths...". I think you will find this a way to change your E to C. I am curious what C and D are assigned to if anything. In general AHCI will give you better performance than ATA, but does require text mode drivers. Of course, nLite has nothing to do with selecting the install disk, you do that at the front end of install. When you used the ATA setting (no F6), did you use the nLited CD or just the original? I suspect that if you had used the nLited CD, it would have installed on the C not E. I also suspect the condition is caused by your machine. You might consider the Dell forum or an e-mail to Dell support. Enjoy, John.

[HardwareGuy]

The 1545 does not have any of the devices that you mentioned. That would've been a easy fix if it did. Thanks for your reply.

Attached media card readers (for CompactFlash, Memory Stick, SD, xD, etc.) will cause your symptoms. The only solution is to disconnect or disable them until the operating system is installed.

[johnhc]

HardwareGuy, unfortunately, we have not seen nuhi (author/owner) here in a long time. I am almost positive there never will be a Professional version, and quite possibly no upgrades or bug fixes. There are non-free programs that do this, but I am not familiar with them. You did not say what C and D were assigned to. I'll do some more pondering, but no ideas right now. Please let us know about C and D assignments. Enjoy, John.

[HardwareGuy]

John:

I have found the "anamoly" (as Ashton-Tate frequently referred to nuances in their dBASE II and dBASE III application). I had not discovered earlier because I had been selecting the "Unattended install" option.

The nlite/XP install eventually displays a screen similar to the following:

Windows XP Professional Setup

238473 MB Disk 0 at Id 0 on bus 0 on atapi [MBR]

Unpartitioned space 238473 MB

Unknown Disk

(There is no disk in this drive.)

ENTER=Install C=Create Partition F3=Quit

I selected "C" to create a new partition.

The following screen will then display:

You asked Setup to create a new partition on

238473 MB Disk 0 at Id 0 on bus 0 on atapi [MBR]

The minimum is ...

The maximum is ...

Create partition size (in MB): 238465

ENTER=Create ESC=Cancel

I pressed the "ENTER" key.

The following screen will display:

Windows XP Professional Setup

The following list shows the existing partitions and unpartitioned ...

Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to select an item in the list.

- To setup Windows XP..., press ENTER

- To create a partition on..., press C

- To delete the selected..., press D

E: Partitioned [New (Raw)] 238465 MB

Unpartitioned space 8 MB

Pressing "C" created the partition on the incorrect drive designator, "E." This is what was missed earlier.

But if I now press the "D" key (to delete the partition), then the "L" key (to confirm the deletion of the partiton), the screen will refresh and display:

238473 MB Disk 0 at Id 0 on bus 0 on atapi [MBR]

I now select the "C" key (to create the partition again). The following screen will display:

You asked Setup to create a new partition on

238473 MB Disk 0 at Id 0 on bus 0 on atapi [MBR]

The minimum is ...

The maximum is ...

Create partition size (in MB): 238465

I pressed the "ENTER" key and the following screen displays:

Windows XP Professional Setup

The following list shows the existing partitions and unpartitioned ...

Use the UP and DOWN arrow keys to select an item in the list.

- To setup Windows XP..., press ENTER

- To create a partition on..., press C

- To delete the selected..., press D

C: Partitioned [New (Raw)] 238465 MB

Unpartitioned space 8 MB

Interesting... but at least I now understand the circumstances that created this issue. As noted in my first message this relabeling of the drive designator does not occur if I use Microsoft's disk to perform the installation.

To answer your question, there is only one physical hard disk drive and one physical optical drive installed in the 1545.

HardwareGuy, unfortunately, we have not seen nuhi (author/owner) here in a long time. I am almost positive there never will be a Professional version, and quite possibly no upgrades or bug fixes. There are non-free programs that do this, but I am not familiar with them. You did not say what C and D were assigned to. I'll do some more pondering, but no ideas right now. Please let us know about C and D assignments. Enjoy, John.

[johnhc]

HardwareGuy, I am glad you have resolved your issue. The messages you quote are coming from Windows Setup, which nLite does not modify in any way. I do not understand why the nLited CD install looks different from the original CD install. You really did not answer my question and it is also really not important that it be answered. What I wanted to know, for your running system, installed from the nLited CD with E as your system disk, was, what was C and D assigned to - partitions on the single disk? No big deal. BTW, nLite should be run only once against your freshly copied files/folders and should be run under XP, not Vista or W7. Usually we insist on seeing your Last Session to make sure. If you want to look any further, please attach your Last Session (as requested in bold RED letters above). It can be found in your nLite folder or CD. Enjoy, John.

[HardwareGuy]

The "C" drive was not assigned or listed in Windows Explorer or the Disk Manager. The "D" drive was assigned to the CD/DVD optical drive.

Unfortunately, because I had attempted so many configurations and installs, I did not save the original "Last Session" file. I have attached the last session file I used per your request.

HardwareGuy, I am glad you have resolved your issue. The messages you quote are coming from Windows Setup, which nLite does not modify in any way. I do not understand why the nLited CD install looks different from the original CD install. You really did not answer my question and it is also really not important that it be answered. What I wanted to know, for your running system, installed from the nLited CD with E as your system disk, was, what was C and D assigned to - partitions on the single disk? No big deal. BTW, nLite should be run only once against your freshly copied files/folders and should be run under XP, not Vista or W7. Usually we insist on seeing your Last Session to make sure. If you want to look any further, please attach your Last Session (as requested in bold RED letters above). It can be found in your nLite folder or CD. Enjoy, John.

LAST SESSION.INI

[johnhc]

The "C" drive was not assigned or listed in Windows Explorer or the Disk Manager. The "D" drive was assigned to the CD/DVD optical drive.

Unfortunately, because I had attempted so many configurations and installs, I did not save the original "Last Session" file. I have attached the last session file I used per your request.

HardwareGuy, Weird. I notice you don't have any text mode drivers. Have you given up on using AHCI mode? You haven't run nLite more than once against the same source, have you? Enjoy, John.