T42 - XP install won't recognize HDD

[sp9239]

I have IBM T42 model: 2378-R4U with 1GB Ram, 60GB HD Hitachi Travelstar, BIOS updated

not sure what the problem is the XP install won't see internal HDD.

also, the CD-ROM won't boot any CD's, so I attempted to install XP via USB key and
the xp installs on USB key instead of internal HDD.

I also, swapped the HDD to a different make and still XP install won't see any HDD in the machine. The BIOS see the HD fine in the Startup list.

Any sugguestion s are helpful.
Thanks!

[ajkula66]

Welcome to the forum!

Have you set the media drive as the primary booting device using F12 on startup?

[sp9239]

I have alread tried to change the boot orders but no luck.

The laptop does attempt to boot from CD however, it gives up for some reason.

[jdrou]

How did you configure the USB drive? You can't just copy the XP files to the flash drive; you need to do some tricks with the drive ordering since when you boot off the flash drive it will become the C: drive.
I've been able to use WinSetupFromUSB from this site: http://www.msfn.org/board/forum/157-ins ... -from-usb/

[ajkula66]

I've never installed XP from an USB drive so no advice on that, but I would get another media drive and try to install the OS that way, these can be had for a pittance nowadays....

[Orclas]

Hmmm, lets see.

I think I had a similar problem once, when trying to clone my T40 original HDD to a used SSD. Cloning went fine, but the machine would still not recognize and boot from the drive, although it all seemed to be there, and I just got the "no boot disk found" message over and over. I even think it was so that it would boot when attached via USB, but not when attached as internal drive.

I went through a lot of error searching and trial & error and one of the key solutions (maybe the solution) was to first fully wipe the target HDD. I would suggest trying it out, there is good freeware such as Darik's boot and nuke or even better Ultimate Boot CD which has a very nice collection of handy utilities, including HDD wipe tools such as DBAN and Active Killdisk (look under HDD/Hard Disk Wiping).

Both the DBAN and UBCD ISO's can be used to create a bootable USB stick with tools such as UNetbootin.

Please note that a disk wipe will delete any existing restore/utility partitions on the HDD.

[sp9239]

Thank you all for the replies.

Last night I ended up installing Ubuntu on the T42 and it took it as if there is no problem.

Seems like it had MBR issue so the Ubuntu took care of that problem and installed Ubuntu successfully.

Now, I am going to try to remove Ubuntu and run the Windows XP from USB with steps described in the replies above and let you know how it goes.

[sp9239]

according to jdrou -

I downloaded the program from ( http://www.msfn.org/board/forum/157-ins ... -from-usb) and created XP boot usb key. However, the install fails during the first setup screen "viaraid.sys" not found. Then the XP setup exits.

Unable to get pass this error screen. I also, made sure that the file its complaining about is present in the USB directory for XP setup.

Any idea ???

[RealBlackStuff]

Never had a problem installing whatever from a USB DVD/CDRW.
I have a cheapo USB case with an IBM media drive in it, perhaps that's why it works?

[jdrou]

"viaraid.sys" not found. Then the XP setup exits.

Unable to get pass this error screen. I also, made sure that the file its complaining about is present in the USB directory for XP setup.

Probably need to post in the MSFN forum thread giving details on system, flash drive used, and options used while configuring it.
It's been a while since I did it and don't recall the details; I usually stick to Lexar flash drives though after having problems booting with some others. (I also use syslinux to multiboot DOS and other OSs from a flash drive.)
Older systems like the T42 might also have problems booting from larger flash drives.

Also, while getting it to install from USB is a worthwhile project on its own, you should probably also try to get the CD boot working.

[sp9239]

I am using a Kingston 2GB USB drive. Also, the USB key boots to DOS without any problem. However, the only trouble is that the USB key is assigned a C drive letter so the XP setup installs the OS on USB Key (C drive). The setup never prompts for selection of the hard drive.

I also, tried running the XP setup from the actual hard drive on laptop after booting with USB key and still no go.

I noticed the CD-ROM drive may be goopd.
Today, I inserted the Win 7 64bit upgrade CD and it booted right up and started the install. The drive didn't hesistate at start up at all. I also, tested the Win 7 CD-ROM to read the files in Ubuntu and it read all folders.

Too bad, I can't continue the Win 7 setup due to T42 is not 64 bit processor and the uprade CD is 64-bit only.

I think my burned CD-ROMS could be the issue. Any suggestion on what applications
recommended to burn a proper CD-ROM with XP files on it.

Thanks!

Sandip

[Neil]

I've always had good success with ImgBurn. Could it be that you burned a data disc instead of an ISO when you made your XP install disc?

Oh! And, burn slowly, something like 4X works good for me. Every time I thought I could get by with a fast burn, it failed to boot.

[sp9239]

I have good news!

I removed the CD ROM module from the T42.
opened the door where the CD sits.
and removed all the screws from back of the module
and exposed all the internal parts.

blow some air
clean the rails where the CD-ROM eye sits
(the culprit could have been the rails had some accumulation of dust so it
wasn't moving freely)

put everything back together

and the CD-ROM started working.

booted off the T42 with XP CD
now installation of XP is in progress.

Thanks! everyone

Sandip

[Orclas]

So, mechanical reasons huh?

Good to hear you got it working.