Update - I ran clean then clean all on two separate HDDs and created partitions as per that tutorial but the SAME BLOODY THING. Windows just refuses to see the drive.
I had installed Windows XP SP3 to one drive and the MSI Live-Update software said there's an upgrade for my BIOS from 1.20 to 1.90 but I need a floppy disk + drive to flash it. Which I don't have :P
Is it possible to do an in-house upgrade from within Windows XP to Windows Vista?
Have a look at this,
Upgrade Install - XP to Windows 7
And this,
How to Update BIOS Without a Floppy Drive | eHow.com
Well, I've tried that link - updating the BIOS using a removable drive and no go either. Going to see if I can source a floppy disk + drive from a friend as well as an IDE HDD and see if Windows will install to that.
The other annoying thing is that the two Windows Vista DVDs I have, won't load an install / autorun program from within Windows XP.
I get the old error - This is not a valid Win32 program. Both DVDs are Win Vista x86
"Upgrade installs are done from the desktop."
Just trying to run the DVDs from 'My Computer' within Windows XP.
Edit - Sorry, still trying to get the hang of how to quote. When I click quote - it's grabbing all the text in your comment, including my quote
You'll need to install an OS to use MCI Live Update to update BIOS, which is always safest from Windows.
What were the results of the other steps given earlier?
What exact errors are you getting when attempting to boot the Win7 and Vista DVD's to clean install?
In addition to these standard install troubleshooting steps, next try removing all but 2gb of RAM to try install. Swap Sticks.
I'll screen shot it for you:
Step 1: http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/1497/biosupdate1.png
Step 2: http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/6952/biosupdate2.png
Step 3: http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/2231/biosupdate3.png
After that, the window just closes and nothing happens. All the drivers from the MSI site have been installed except for audio :/ So I have no idea what drivers it's complaining about.
Edit - I tried copying the .exe and BIOS update file to a USB stick, but it just wouldn't boot from it
As this is a new mobo, I would get MCI tech support to proceed with BIOS update which is risky enough to justify doing this. You may also have an issue known to them.
You can also table the BIOS update for now to try all other install troubleshooting steps starting with resetting CMOS, set SATA controller to AHCI, unplug all peripherals, try install with 2gb of RAM.
Confirm the error you are receiving when you 1) boot the Win7 installer, and 2) run installer from XP which appears to be installed now to run Live Update, both before and after the steps given.
"set SATA controller to AHCI"
There is no option in the BIOS to set the controller to AHCI, only those options I laid out in my original post
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