Trying to load XP

I've been trying to load XP onto a laptop my friend gave me (its an old Dell D610). Everytime I try to load XP though (with a legit XP load, not an illegal load) I get "Internal HDD Error" (not seeing a hard drive). When I put it in my external USB adaptor, it'll show up, but says I can't load it to the external USB, some kind of x86 error, I'm figuring its my motherboard that won't let me do it that way. I've already tried 5 different notebook hard drives (all generic Toshiba 40 GB's) but can't get it to load. Was wondering if anyone knew a solution (can I load install it to the external from a computer that can run the setup.exe on the CD while it's logged / use a LiveCD if there's no HDD / Run some kind of diagnostic to tell me what could be wrong with the hard drive or its cable?

 

Sounds like a faulty disk controller to me...I presume that the disks are all PATA (not SATA?).

 

Run chkdsk (or similar utility on the drive).

 

If the drive can't be detected he can't run chkdsk....

 

How far do you get, or when exactly does it show this error?
Also specifying the "some kind of x86 error" might be helpful

 

Go in to your BIOS and change your SATA setting to Compatibility instead of AHCI. When you're done installing XP, install your SATA drivers and chipset drivers then go back in to your BIOS and change the setting back to AHCI.

 

Correct, its a downgraded D610 so its running PATA. That was my initial suspicion as well which is why I've been experimenting with getting it to work to load it on an external via USB.

Well on one of the USB Externals, it was able to bring up a format with NTFS/quick-format with NTFS/leave it and install it as is option, so I chose to install after a format with NTFS, it froze at 56% and I haven't been able to get back there with that HD. The others immediately bring up a "Windows XP cannot install because there is no HD detected" error or the x86 error that I'll elaborate on now:
"Your computer's startup program cannot gain access to the disk containing the partition or free space you chose. Setup cannot install Windows XP on this hard disk.
This lack of access does not necessarily indicate an error condition. For example, disks attached to a SCSI adapter that wasn't installed by your computer manufacturer or to a secondary hard disk controller, are typically not visible to the startup program unless special software is used. Contact your computer or hard disk controller manufacturer for more information.
On x86-based computers, this message may indicate a problem with the CMOS drive type settings. See your disk controller documentation for more information.
Press ENTER to continue."
** This was done with no internal HD attached and after it recognized the USB External and I tried to install it on that drive.

Thanks for the replies so far guys, this is a helpful forum.

 

Bump. No luck yet.

 

original drive? I ask because some of those Dells had this little plastic adapter that you slid on the drive pins before plugging into the laptop that changed the pin out

 

Why not put Linux on it? You'll at least then know if the hardware is good.

 

Yes, original drive, they came with 40 GB Toshiba drives, and I think I know what you're talking about, if you're talking about the thing that goes on the pins, then no, it didn't come with it. I'm plugging the male end into the female end of the comp, not putting that plastic black piece that covers all the pins.

Linux can do that? Unfortunately I don't have a install for it, would Knoppix work for this? Even with no internal HD?

 

if it never had the adapter and takes stadard drives, I am with the earlier person who said it is a failed disc controller.

YOu could try one more thing...sometimes, slightly older machines incorrectly guess at the hardware when you put in a drive. get the specs, and manually insert the configuration rather than allowing bios to autodetect teh drive (things like cylanders, sectors, etc)