Installing Windows XP M7700 (D900T)

I seen to have run into a small problem. I just installed a new motherboard version 6.2n. Everything seems to be working perfectly, but when I go to install windows it locks up. I get to the part where I have to install the 3rd party drivers(WinXp Promise SATA378, only have 1 SATA HDD) and it does install them off of my FDD. Windows continues to load all the drivers, and then when it goes to start windows it locks up. Any ideas???I removed the RAM( have 4gb PC5300, all new), and tried installing with only 1 stick in. My BIOS version is 1.0.10.

 

are you loading a raid driver when you have no raid ?

 

no, I am not installing the RAID drivers only the SATA driver. I am using the non-raid driver directly off of Alienwares download page for the M7700.

 

You have to have a USB floppy drive that came with the notebook.

If you have the Clevo D900T (Area51 m7700), it is using AHCI... so XP installs/repairs will require SATA drivers from:
- floppy disk (using a USB floppy drive that came with the system)
- or using nLite to slipstream the SATA drivers into a XP CD... so that it will detect the SATA HDDs automatically

went over it here (same notebook):
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=267775

 

You need a windows certified floppy drive, or else the system will not read the files properly.
You can use the included floppy drive you got with the system. Its a TEAC
If you did not get a USB floppy drive with your laptop, you need to pick up a Windows certified floppy drive. They are only made by TEAC, Mitsumi and smartdisc

If you dont have the right floppy drive, you should try loading the files to a USB memory card, or using nlite as Gophn mentioned, because it is a cheaper alternative.

K-TRON

 

K_TRON, what's a 'windows certified floppy drive' that you mention? I have a USB floppy drive and it just would not work when I tried to install the non-RAID drivers. It loads the drivers but then locks up like the OP's situation. It seems that the installer will load and detect the drivers but when you get to installation, it just locks up.

To the OP: I had to use nLite to slip stream the drivers onto a new installation CD. That was the only way I could get it to work. nLite is pretty simple to use; give it a try. Good luck.

BTW I have a m7700 D900T not D900K.

Duane

 

Yea it sounds silly, but the hardware RAID controller on the m7700 requires a driver even if you only have one HDD. The OP is using the non-RAID driver.

Duane

 

A windows certified floppy drive needs to be able to boot to USB, most floppy drives cannot do this. All TEAC, MITSUMI and SMART DISC manufactured floppy drives are certified to load files as bootable files for the installation of Windows.
If you have a Plextor, Hyundai or what name you floppy drive it isnt going to work.

You do not need raid drivers to install an operating system on one harddrive. You only need a windows certified floppy disc and the proper SATA drivers on a bootable diskette

K-TRON

 

I totallly confused here, what do i need to do? I have a Dynex USB floppy drive and it does seem to load the Sata378 driver. It is still locking up though, like something is not getting loaded.

 

What drivers do you have on your floppy?
You only need the SATA drivers

When you load windows, press F6 when it tells you too
Than it will ask you later on to select files from the floppy drive.
You press "S" or "enter" to do this

If the files do not load, try another floppy. But if that doesnt work, your floppy drive cannot open the file.

Also make sure the floppy isnt set to lock mode. Their is a small plastic block key on the corner. Make sure it is set so files can be read/written to the disc.


K-TRON

 

I have done that. The SATA378 driver is version 1.0.29, downloaded directly from Alienware's web site. When I get to the select file screen, it opens up and shows "WinXP Promise SATA378", the floppy does run and Windows shows the SATA driver. Windows will continue to load and then when it is done loading it locks up and doesnt even go to the Windows Start Up screen.

 

hmm,
seems like your Dynex is a rebranded windows certified drive

So when does it freeze?
while copying files, or when Windows restarts?

If it is freezing when you restart, your system may be set to read floppy first, which would freeze the loading process for a while, but than it should continue on when the system realizes the floppy isnt needed at that point

K-TRON

 

it freezes just after the Windows XP cd finishes loading all the files. Im sure you have seen Windows loading all if the files at the bottom, when it is done loading all the files it says "Windos is starting" and doesnt budge from there.

 

How long is it taking, give it 10 minutes and see what happens. If nothing loads, I suggest checking your harddrives in another system to make sure they are working properly. You can runs Hdtune, or use microsoft's checkdisc utility to check the drive

K-TRON

 

ok,will do

 

The hard drive checks out fine, any ideas?????

 

I just let it sit for 15 minutes and nothing. Im wondering if its the motherboard or the HDD? The HDD is a SATA 150 Futjisu 160GB manufactured 09/28/2008.

 

That is really odd, I dont knowwhat to say now.

Is your copy of Windows scratched?

K-TRON

 

no scratches, Im starting to think that it is my HDD that is bad.

 

It turns out that it was the motherboard bad, dont know what the heck was going on with it.

 

How did you figure that out?
Is it the SATA cable connection, or the interface for the optical drive.
Try removing the optical drive and using the lower slot. That may allow Windows to install properly

K-TRON

 

I had the same problem with a 6.2 mobo off ebay. The HDD connector is loose.
I don't think you need a floppy drive, you can do everything from a USB flash drive. I installed vista from that.

 

I have a D900K also that works perfect. I took the HDD,SATA cable, as well as both DVD drives and put them into my D900K. Everything worked perfectly. I did ship the MB back to the seller and he did refund my money, and I bought a MB off of Ztronics, but guess what??? That MB is bad as well, now I have to get a RMA from them and get another MB. Im about ready to throw this Intel version into the fracking garbage can. My AMD version has never given me any problems, just goes to say something about AMD and VIA chipsets.

 

You cang et a far faster chip for the amd flavor anyway.

 

Well, I got another 6.2 motherboard. I also got a new SATA cable and 2 new WD 160GB HDD. Everything is up and running great. Thanks for everyone's help.