Hey guys, I also had this same problem, and after 2 days of trying to work the problem on my own I chatted with Dell and they gave me two options to solve the problem. I will include my conversation below. Hope this helps.

06/21/2007 10:28:40AM System: "Thank you for choosing Chat support. The next representative will be available to assist you shortly. While waiting, check some of our self support options above. No fear, you won't lose your place in line!"
06/21/2007 10:28:50AM URL Shown: "http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/chat/en/chat_crashanalysis?c=us&l=en&s=gen"
06/21/2007 10:29:00AM URL Shown: "http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/chat/en/chat_pccheckup?c=us&l=en&s=gen"
06/21/2007 10:29:05AM Session Started with Agent (AES Sarany O)
06/21/2007 10:29:07AM Agent (AES Sarany O): "Hello, thank you for contacting Dell's Enterprise Chat Support. My name is AES Sarany O. Once the chat session is completed, a transcript will be sent to michael.g.D@boeing.com. Please give me a moment to review your system details and contact info"
rmation.
06/21/2007 10:29:14AM Michael D: "ok"
06/21/2007 10:29:25AM Agent (AES Sarany O): "How can I help you today? Please provide as much information as possible, such as error messages, symptoms, and any troubleshooting steps that may have been taken up to this point."
06/21/2007 10:30:30AM Michael D: "I am trying to install a new operating system (Windows XP SP 2) by booting with the XP CD"
06/21/2007 10:30:40AM Agent (AES Sarany O): "Okay."
06/21/2007 10:30:43AM Michael D: "however, the computer does not seem to detect the hard drive"
06/21/2007 10:31:09AM Michael D: "i tried downloading the driver from the westerndigital website and pressing F6 during installation, but that did not seem to help"
06/21/2007 10:31:20AM Michael D: "i think it was the correct driver"
06/21/2007 10:31:24AM Michael D: "?"
06/21/2007 10:31:30AM Agent (AES Sarany O): "Okay, the system uses an Intel AHCI driver. Are you using the Dell OEM Operating System CD?"
06/21/2007 10:31:47AM Michael D: "no"
06/21/2007 10:32:04AM Agent (AES Sarany O): "I just want to make sure that we are using a Microsoft retail CD or the Dell OEM CD. This OS installation could have problems with a volume license copy."
06/21/2007 10:32:12AM Michael D: "i am using a windows XP CD i burned throught Microsoft's MSDN website"
06/21/2007 10:32:21AM Agent (AES Sarany O): "That may be an issue."
06/21/2007 10:32:38AM Michael D: "the company i work for has a subscription to the MSDN website"
06/21/2007 10:32:46AM Agent (AES Sarany O): "We can try it any ways but we will have to see if the installation completes and boots up to Windows for the first time."
06/21/2007 10:32:50AM Agent (AES Sarany O): "I understand."
06/21/2007 10:32:55AM Michael D: "ok"
06/21/2007 10:33:12AM Agent (AES Sarany O): "You actually have an option here:"
06/21/2007 10:33:28AM Michael D: "ok"
06/21/2007 10:33:31AM Agent (AES Sarany O): "We can load in the Intel AHCI driver or we can turn it off so that you should be able to start the installation without having to load a driver."
06/21/2007 10:34:03AM Agent (AES Sarany O): "Personally, I am not a big fan of the Intel AHCI driver because I believe that it complicates an issue if you are in a situation where you have a failing hard drive and you need to recover critical data."
06/21/2007 10:34:20AM Michael D: "i dont care about the data on the hard drive"
06/21/2007 10:34:24AM Agent (AES Sarany O): "It is supposed to improve drive performance in certain areas but I feel that it causes more difficulty than what it is worth."
06/21/2007 10:34:27AM Michael D: "i already tried to wipe everything out"
06/21/2007 10:34:30AM Agent (AES Sarany O): "Okay."
06/21/2007 10:34:47AM Agent (AES Sarany O): "But would you like to turn off the Intel AHCI mode to load the OS without any drivers?"
06/21/2007 10:35:14AM Michael D: "do i have to turn it back on at some point"
06/21/2007 10:35:23AM Michael D: "what functionality would i be losing"
06/21/2007 10:35:31AM Agent (AES Sarany O): "You wouldn't lose any functionality."
06/21/2007 10:35:41AM Michael D: "ok"
06/21/2007 10:35:41AM Agent (AES Sarany O): "You wouldn't have to turn it back on at some point."
06/21/2007 10:35:44AM Michael D: "lets do that then"
06/21/2007 10:35:45AM Agent (AES Sarany O): "It is your option."
06/21/2007 10:35:54AM Michael D: "ok, lets turn it off"
06/21/2007 10:35:58AM Agent (AES Sarany O): "Okay, we want to reboot that system and then tap F2 at the Dell logo to go into the system BIOS."
06/21/2007 10:36:13AM Agent (AES Sarany O): "Then we want to go down to the "Drives" category and select "SATA Operation"."
06/21/2007 10:36:28AM Agent (AES Sarany O): "Try to set it to Auto/ATA instead of Auto/AHCI and save the changes."
06/21/2007 10:36:34AM Michael D: "ok"
06/21/2007 10:37:13AM Agent (AES Sarany O): "Then try to start the install and let me know what happens. If it starts then I would like to find out if this MSDN copy will actually follow through the entire installation and boot up to Windows for the first time."
06/21/2007 10:37:34AM Agent (AES Sarany O): "I believe I have seen a conflict with an MSDN copy in the past so I will standby to find out what happens."
06/21/2007 10:37:41AM Michael D: "would this cause a problem if i intend on installing a 64 bit OS?"
06/21/2007 10:37:47AM Agent (AES Sarany O): "No."
06/21/2007 10:38:07AM Agent (AES Sarany O): "The system does support x64. Intel AHCI would not affect that."
06/21/2007 10:38:30AM Michael D: "ok, its restarting with Windows XP Pro x64 bit installation CD in"
06/21/2007 10:38:45AM Agent (AES Sarany O): "Okay."
06/21/2007 10:38:49AM Michael D: "just curious though, where would i find the Intel AHCI driver? the Dell website?"
06/21/2007 10:39:07AM Agent (AES Sarany O): "Yes, it is listed as the Intel Storage Matrix driver. I can get you that link if you want it."
06/21/2007 10:39:18AM Michael D: "please"
06/21/2007 10:39:34AM Agent (AES Sarany O): "Sure, I will get that to you."
06/21/2007 10:42:33AM Agent (AES Sarany O): "Serial ATA: Intel Matrix Storage Manager, Driver, Windows XP x64, English, Multi System, v.6.0.1.1002, A05:"
06/21/2007 10:42:39AM Agent (AES Sarany O): "http://ftp.us.dell.com/SATA/R133015.EXE"
06/21/2007 10:43:59AM Michael D: "Thanks. Then would I just unzip the files to a floppy disk?"
06/21/2007 10:44:24AM Agent (AES Sarany O): "Yes, and I would be sure to run a full format on the floppy disk."
06/21/2007 10:44:34AM Agent (AES Sarany O): "You aren't going to try that right now right?"
06/21/2007 10:44:41AM Michael D: "no"
06/21/2007 10:44:50AM Agent (AES Sarany O): "(Actually, you would run the file and it should extract to the floppy on its own)"
06/21/2007 10:44:52AM Agent (AES Sarany O): "Okay."
06/21/2007 10:45:17AM Michael D: "i actually downloaded R158600.EXE but the instructions made it seem like it was not the right file"
06/21/2007 10:45:25AM Michael D: "never mentioned anything about a floppy or CD"
06/21/2007 10:46:05AM Michael D: "anyway...installation seems to be going fine. thanks for your help."
06/21/2007 10:46:39AM Session Ended

I'm sorry for asking, but how about when my notebook is Hp, it got some kinda different software for the HD and different bios set up? I kinda have the same problem like this when I try to reformat and un-partion my HD a message will show that my HD cannot be detected.

I dont know how to solve the other problems you all are having, but i have the same problem. i have a 300gb sata maxtor hard drive, and my windows vista cant detect it. i tried to unplug it and plug it back in. plugged it in different places. nothing works. and i have an error on it. i cant even install any windows on it. anyway, thats a different question.

anyone know how i can make my windows vista detect my hard drive?

Hello all,

I am having a similar problem however i have an NEC Versa M400 Laptop with an IDE hard drive.

I keep getting as far as loading the setup files followed by "loadingwindows"then i get

"Setup did not detect any hard disk drives on 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."

I have looked over the other posts but none seem to help with me.

Does anyone know the solution for my said hardware?

Help,

Andy

Set the bios in default settings and be sure the hard disk drive is detected in the bios. If not, try to remove the drive and install it again in its bay.

If the above did not work, your drive might be defective. Try another drive.

thanks dude,you are the best!!!

Hey people..I have the same problem..when i tried to install windows xp tablet edition on my GATEWAY TABLET PC


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.


is there a way i can load the drivers on a CD and boot it from there..because i know that u can put the drivers on a floppy and press F6 to load them..i don't have a floppy drive on my computer..can i use a usb instead??..


SYSTEM SPECIFICATIONS:

CX2610 Specifications
Part Number: 5374Gateway CX2610 Convertible Notebook

Feature Description
Processor and Core Logic
Processor options Intel® Centrino™ Mobile Technology with Intel® Pentium® M Processor 740 (2 MB L2 Cache | 1.73 GHz | 533 MHz FSB)

Determine Your Processor Speed
Chipset Intel 915GM
LCD display panel 14.0-inch Widescreen WXGA TFT with Digitizer and Pen
Memory 512 MB DDR2 (2 × 256 MB) Dual Channel Memory
Expandable to 2 GB
Video Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 900B
Dynamic Video Memory Technology (DVMT) supports up to 128 MB shared video memory
Audio AC'97 2.3 Compliant Audio
Built-in Speakers
Hard Drive 80 GB HDD (5400 RPM) SATA
Optical Drive DVD +/- RW Multi-Format Double Layer
Write maximum: 8X DVD +/-R, 4X DVD +/- RW, 2.4X DVD+R DL, 24X CD-R and 10X CD-RW disks
Reads maximum: 8X DVD-ROM, 8X DL/+RW, 24X CD-ROM disks
5-in-1 Digital Media Manager Supports the following card types:

* Secure Digital™
* Memory Stick®
* Memory Stick Pro®
* MultiMediaCard™
* xD

Modem 56K ITU V.92 ready Fax/Modem
Network Intel® PRO/Wireless 802.11g integrated wireless 10/100/1000 Mbps integrated Ethernet LAN
Pointing Device Touchpad with Vertical Scroll Zone
PCMCIA 1 - Type I or Type II; Card Bus
Interfaces

* 3 - USB 2.0 Ports
* 1 - VGA External Connector
* 1 - IEEE 1394 port
* 1 - RJ11
* 1 - RJ45
* Integrated Mic
* Microphone In
* Headphone / Audio Out
* Port Replicator Connector

Battery 8-cell Lithium-ion
Dimensions 1.35-inches H × 13.58-inches W × 11.14-inches D
Weight 6.87 pounds



THANK YOU

hello all, i seem to be having similar trouble with my gateway solo 2550. it seems that the hard drive is not being detected although i am able to boot up xp some of the time but its very unpredictable whether or not it will work after i turn the computer off... i usually just leave it on to avoid the problem. any help would be greatly appreciated! i have a floppy drive but no recovery disk, i also have the original xp professional software disk although i have tried reinstalling it and i managed to get it to work but the problem has continued...