Tech support- Strait outta' Delhi

[Raptor]

So im going to ask one of those complicated questions about my internets. So I built my PC a few weeks ago, with an ASUS motherboard, a 500 GB Sata drive, and a 120 GB IDE. I started out with a ripped off version of vista, that worked fine until I realized that it vista sucked terribly and wouldn't run anything. After doing alot of messing around with partitions, I made a new one on the 120 GB drive that I installed XP on. Now you would think that while booting, I would just select the drive priority, and that would determine if I went into vista or not, but no. Somehow, It doesn't detect the SATA drive when Im first starting up. This doesn't allow me to go into vista or xp. It finds the IDE, where xp is installed, and then it says Master Boot Record files are missing yada yada yada. Once this occurs, the PC can be restarted, and it DOES detect the SATA, allowing the boot choice to be made, and all normality restored. My question is- How did necessary XP boot files get onto the SATA drive in the first place, and why cant the motherboard detect it on the first boot?

If your a true haxer you can solve my problems

Thanks!

Raptor

(btw, It's also somehow configured so my Local disk "C" Does not contain any windows files. instead, it decided to use "G" which it calls "system disk" anyone else ever experience this!?)

[rbcp]

I read on a blog that Windows Vista does something weird with the MBR, making dual booting a big fat pain in the ass.  There was some kind of reason for it but I can't remember what it said.  I'm sure the ultimate reason is that Microsoft doesn't like us using Linux sometimes.

[mr_doc]

The SATA controller needs a driver. XP doesn't have it. Vista does. The motherboard either doesn't have it hence the no detect, or your settings are incorrect for booting from it. When you start installing XP press f6 and install the SATA drivers.

Or google 'motherboard won't detect sata' or something similar for more specific info for your motherboard.

[Eric42]

I'm sure the ultimate reason is that Microsoft doesn't like us using Linux sometimes.

Yeah, that is despite the fact that they use versions of Linux themselves for a couple various things.

[jammie]

If your a true haxer you can solve my problems

Thanks!

Raptor

Dear Raptor,

I'm not a haxer.  In fact, I am so unleet that your question was confusing enough that I had no idea how to even start Googling for an answer.  Errr... Good luck with that!   Sowwy

Love,
jammie

[Johnny Baggs]

The SATA controller needs a driver. XP doesn't have it. Vista does. The motherboard either doesn't have it hence the no detect, or your settings are incorrect for booting from it. When you start installing XP press f6 and install the SATA drivers.

Or google 'motherboard won't detect sata' or something similar for more specific info for your motherboard.

Mr. Doc is right.  You are probably missing the SATA drivers for XP to detect your SATA hard drive.   Check with the motherboard manufacturer to get the correct drivers and have them ready during the Windows XP install.