Computer Cannot Detect Hard Disk Drives
 

Due to some reason, my computer was not able to start up and it ends up with
Safe mode
Safe mode with networking
Safe mode with command prompt
Last known good config
Start windows normally
which none of the option works above.

attempt format with the Operating System Disk(For installation of Window XP Home Edition Disk), after getting into the Windows XP Home Edition Setup place, when i tried to Repair Or Continue, it replies

Setup did not find any hard disk drives installed in your computer.
Make sure any hard disk drives 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. To quit setup, press F3.
(opened computer case, unplug and replug the harddrive back earlier and it still said the same thing)

thank you for reading and i hope ppl will reply to this

Re: Computer Cannot Detect Hard Disk Drives
 

It sounds like you have a hard drive controller that Windows has no drivers for. These days, it's usually a SATA controller, but it might also be a RAID setup or an obscure product. You will need the drivers for it on a floppy disk. Also, make sure you press F6 when prompted during the Windows XP setup.

If you're not sure what to do, then please post your system's specifications so we can point you in the right direction.

Re: Computer Cannot Detect Hard Disk Drives
 

Dell™ Dimension™ 8400 -- no floppy drive

no idea with the rest :(

Re: Computer Cannot Detect Hard Disk Drives
 

sry about the time wasted on helping solving this issue. i had made a 30 minutes waiting call to Dell support and they have solved it by reformating it without using cd or anything.

basically, as soon as the computer starts, when u see that blue "DELL" word, you press Ctrl + F11 at same time. then u will get an option of restore system. what it does is it sets ur computer back to the way it was when u first open ur box and set up ur computer.

Re: Computer Cannot Detect Hard Disk Drives
 

I am having the same problem. No idea what to do?...
Post up if you find a solution. Thank you.

Re: Computer Cannot Detect Hard Disk Drives
 

ya well apparently this problem was never solved for me although i did do the reformat after calling the dell company.

maybe u can try to unhook the hard disk drive and hook it back that was the suggestion i received before.

if u dont care about losing stuff and this cant be solved the way you want, i guess u might just have to do that ctrl+f11 thing i posted up there 0_0

Re: Computer Cannot Detect Hard Disk Drives
 

I'm having the same problem. I think my hard drive uses a RAID setup, and my computer came with a floppy disk containing the RAID drivers. However, I don't know what to do from here. When I try to use the drivers from the floppy disk by pressing F6, a message pops up - "NTLDR is missing, press any key to restart." Can someone help me with this problem? I need to install XP because I can't do anything with the computer at all. I deleted the previous partition, and boot sector, so I need to be able to install Windows Xp.

Re: Computer Cannot Detect Hard Disk Drives
 

I have had this same issue With A Seagate 120 gb HD and an Asus p4p800-e.I found a way to bypass it.before powering the computer on disengage the IDE cable or power plug from the drive then after the OS has started installing files attach whatever cable you disengaged and when it goes to format it will detect the hard drive and let you partition it.I figured this out through trial and error.Hope it may help someone and save them hours of testing hard drives and tinkering with set up options in bios.

Re: Computer Cannot Detect Hard Disk Drives
 

I have the same problem with a Seagate 120gb Sata and a Guru Abit (Av8 i think?) Im trying to Format and reinstall XP home, my current OS is XP Pro sp2.

I dont have the drivers for my HDD i know i can download them but i dont have a floppy. Can i install the drivers from a USB stick?

Re: Computer Cannot Detect Hard Disk Drives
 

Hi:
new here. Don't know my way around. having the same problem. My new Gateway Laptop cannot find the HDD except when using the recovery DVD. Unable to dual boot Windows XP.. PC ships with a SATA HDD. I like to do a Custom Bootable Recovery DVD set and then get rid of the OEM set but Ghost 2003 will not start an image.

I have 4 partitions on the HDD and the only thing that will boot (other
than the OEM DVD) is Vista which I am now using to overwrite the OEM Media Center version. Appears I may have a SATA driver problem. I see someone has posted a solution but I'm not sure where to nfind it. My laptop has no Floppy. Can someone direct me? thanks,

Emile