Windows Sorted - Please Close!

Ok, here goes.

I decided to reformat my 160GB SATA drive and re-install the OS (Windows XP SP2). I formatted the drive no problem, and even manage to get into the install process using the SiL3114 Raid drivers (DFI infinity Ultra sata chipset). However the install process immediately brings up an error saying that the driver files on the floppy disk cannot be copied. It gives me the retry, skip and exit options.

Retry does not help, i have even tried different versions of the drivers and multiple floppy disks. Skipping the files allows XP to install itself, but on loading windows there is a fatal error that is hard drive related :S

What i cannot understand is that the install process can read the files having pressed F6 to load the drivers and detect the hard drive, yet it cannot install them in the actual setup process? I am using a custom made bootable XP Pro disk with SP2 slipstreamed into the cd. I have tried with my original XP Pro CD and i come across the same problem. It must lie in a problem with the sata chip drivers.

Any help here would be greatly appreciated.

 

Well... try using a "origial" copy of XP it might work

Btw, whats wrong with installing sp2 after installing xp?

 

i have tried both an orginal and slipstreamed copy of XP... neither work :S

I guess it must be down to the floppy drive or the drivers themselves

 

Time and efficiency. Why make a fresh install then load SP2 (15 - 30 minutes depending on machine) when you can install both all at once?

I'm all for it.

Sorry your drivers are not falling into place. I'm doing a bit of research on your board and SATA drivers.

 

Not sure if you have read this but here:
http://us.dfi.com.tw/Support/mb_faq_us1.jsp?FAQ_ID=2700&PAGE_TYPE=US&SITE=US

Also, make sure that you have SCSI set at the top of your boot order if you have other IDE devices (IDE drives, CD/DVD, etc.).

 

Oh thanks for the help Tech-Daddy. I have been messing around with the drivers for awhile now, but i havent checked that BIOS setting!

Ill try that and let you know how it goes!

 

Ok, heres the situation.

I can get the installer to recognise the files on the floppy. As it gives me several chipset options after pressing F6 at startup. I select my SATA controller drivers and the installation starts. The problem is that i cannot get the driver files to copy over during the installation, no matter what i select.

I have tried 3 different floppy drives, atleast 5 cables and a good number of floppy disks and several driver revisions. An error that i constantly get is: oemsetup.txt (a required txt file on the driver disk) has caused an error and setup cannot continue.

I really need some help.

 

Atleast you get options when you press F6, I don't get anything. I'm having problems trying to use my floppy.

 

brainstorming

1) Are you sure the floppy is good? Have you run it through a "full" (not quick) format to check the integrity of the floppy? Might be copying the driver onto the floppy and it is getting corrupted, but not reported.

2) Have you tried the latest Silicon Image driver for the 3114 chipset?
Goto http://www.siliconimage.com/home.asp and type in 3114 driver in the search on the left. You will end up on a support page. The search migh have the newest sil3114 driver located in the response pane in the middle. If you dont see it, left side has "folders", click on the "Downloads" then drivers, and you should see your 3114 driver there with a release date of 7/19/2004.

Give those a whirl.

 

I have tried all the drivers i could fine, the newest ones caused fewer errors, but still the files would not copy. i am guessing that it has something to do with the floppy drive. I am currently trying to slipstream the drivers into the CD itself. Then i would not have the floppy problem. Im not very hopefull though, there is ALOT of inf file modding required!

Thanks for the suggestions Tech-Daddy

 

Ok, so i tried integrating the drivers, no luck. The computer restarts, i press F6, feeling lucky, and the floppy drive works first time? I am still bemused as to what was wrong, but it is working now.

Thanks for all your help Tech-Daddy