I have a user's laptop which is currently running XP Media Center. In order to connect his notebook to the domain, I have to reformat and reinstall as XP Pro. One problem... it appears that his hard drive is SATA and I can't get the XP install disk to see the SATA drive, so it won't install.

I did go to the HP website and downloaded the drivers, but I don't think those are going to work for installing Windows as they are in EXE format, even after unpacking the "service pack" file that HP uses to distribute them. At least nLite didn't appear to recognize the files as driver files -- it was expecting inf files, which are not included.

Anyone got any suggestions on how to get Windows to install on this beast? Model is a Pavilion DV8235nr.

First, try the easy route. Check BIOS settings for SATA controller and see if there is an IDE mode or OS Install Mode. If so, no SATA controller drivers are needed. Also disable AHCI in BIOS.

Just looked at specs on notebook. It has 2 hard disks but there's no mention of a RAID array.

Appears file you downloaded was Intel Matrix software. What You need is SATA driver and/or RAID drivers. Do you know which Intel chipset is used? Southbridge would be most helpful (e.g. ICH7). I'll do some more looking in the interim.

Is this the file you downloaded? If so, it should create a floppy disk with drivers.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/s...1843762&os=228

why go through all the headache. why not just rename the PC and type the name of the domain it is to join, If it is using Static IP set those if not set to automatic DHCP.

Probably because XP MCE won't join a domain.

really? did you try. It's as simple as going to system properties and got to computer name tab. rename the PC and type the name of the domain.

Then go to control panel and change the way users log on.

Nope. I downloaded a different SoftPaq, sp32478.exe which had another EXE inside of it (binary-only drivers.)

I did find a non-binary driver on driverguide, which I incorporated into the install CD.

I'll have to check the BIOS and see if I can find an "OS Install" mode or something like that.

I've never run across anything like this before and I've been working with computers for close to 20 years now... *sigh*

Although, I guess SATA is a new-enough techology that it kinda makes sense, but still... *shrug*

XP MEDIA CENTER -- won't join an active directory domain.

Bobby... have you ever actually seen a copy of Media Center Edition? It's just like XP Home... you can't join a domain.

I have it runnings at home and on a VM machine joined to a domain group. Maybe i have a different version. ( mine came with a 10key license)