Windows could not retrieve information about the disks on this compute

I am trying to Install Win 7 on a Dell 32 bit machine that currently has XP Pro, SP3. I have followed the whole recommended pre-install procedure (Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 - Help & How-to - Microsoft Windows) and there is no reason why there should be a problem – plenty of disc space, no incompatible software drivers etc. I have read loads of articles on this but none have actually suggested a solution that works.
I have also tried the following solution, but the virtual disc service still does not materialise. Another forum member suggests that this may be due to an old type of motherboard – is there any truth in this?

"Based on my experience, this error usually can occur because the VDS service is set to disabled. To resolve it, we need to enable the Virtual Disk service. Please refer to the following steps"

1) Click Start / Run and type SERVICES.MSC
2) Look for the Virtual Disk Service
3) Right click it and choose "Properties"
4) Change the Startup Type to Manual, then click the Start button.
5) Reboot and try the upgrade again.

If there isn’t Virtual Disk Service listed, you can take the following steps to populate the disk information:

1) Click Start / Run and type devmgmt.msc
2) Expand the Disk drives and double click the disk.
3) Click Volumes on the disk Properties.
4) If the volumes information are blank, click Populate.
5) Insert the Windows 7 installation disc and launch Setup.exe

Is it showing in services?



I don't have xp - so can't post the xp vds reg file.

Here is the win7 one - I think it is similar apart from the alignment.

vds.zip

If you boot the Windows 7 DVD, can the installer see the HDD?

Why do you need VDS to boot the installer to correctly Clean Install Windows 7?

SIW2 said:

Is it showing in services?



I don't have xp - so can't post the xp vds reg file.

Here is the win7 one - I think it is similar apart from the alignment.

vds.zip

Thanks for your reply - no it does not show in Services even after I populate with data as in the previous post. Is the age/type of the motherboard relevant as someone else suggested?

theog said:

If you boot the Windows 7 DVD, can the installer see the HDD?

I have not tried this. I was following the Microsoft methodology step by step. Is this likely to make any any difference? My CD/DVD drive is a bit erratic but I could copy the Win 7 DVD to an external drive and make it boot from there if that was a possibility

What methodology? The correct way to Clean Install Windows 7 is always to boot the installer, which you need for bootable repairs anyway. How to Boot A Computer from CD or DVD - YouTube

If you need to use a flash stick installer the ISO and tool to write it are in the tutorial below.

Other tips here for getting and keeping a perfect install same as for Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

gregrocker said:

Why do you need VDS to boot the installer to correctly Clean Install Windows 7?

Sorry I dont know. I'm just following the help/advice I have received. Dont actually understand all the theory

https://www.sevenforums.com/images/smilies/redface.gif

gregrocker said:

What methodology? The correct way to Clean Install Windows 7 is always to boot the installer, which you need for bootable repairs anyway. How to Boot A Computer from CD or DVD - YouTube

If you need to use a flash stick installer the ISO and tool to write it are in the tutorial below.

Other tips here for getting and keeping a perfect install same as for Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7

I'll certainly look at the link you sent, bt this is the methodology I was following

Upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 7 - Help & How-to - Microsoft Windows

Always use a booted installer for installations, with all other HD's and peripherals unplugged, deleting all partitions on the HD during install as shown in Clean Install Windows 7

I would not use Easy Transfer as we see cases where it loses the files, while importing AppData settings is a corruption path into a fresh new install. The best way to back up is to sort all of your data into the User folders - Desktop, Documents, Pics, Music, Vids, Downloads - and drag them to external or another HD. Everything that needs to be remembered is in the Clean Reinstall tutorial.