Windows 7 - No partitions showing - what am I doing wrong ?

Well ive just got Windows 7, and was looking forward to an easy install, I wanted to use a Dual Boot with the Windows XP . So Ive made a new partition , and the installation goes well until it gets to the part ..

Where do you want to Install Windows?

But there's no partitions showing in the window , its just blank, I tried Refresh but no luck still blank,

This is my computers spec..

ACER E500
Intel Pentium 4 3.06 GHz
ATI RADEON Xpress 200 Graphic Processor
2 GB (DDR2 SDRAM)
Microsoft Windows XP Media Center 2005 Edition
HDD 200 GB ( Serial ATA )


Not sure what to try next , .... any advice please would be most welcome


Thanks

Hi William and Welcome to the Forums.
Well looks like the HDD is not detected by the setup.
To begin with, make sure that the HDD is detected in BIOS.
Also, unplug and replug the hard drive cables.

Have you checked out our guides & tutorials here ?

Questions to use for help with Installation Issues

Tutorial quick reference list for Installing Windows 7



" Doc "

Are you installing while your XP is running ?

Ya gotta shut down XP,

then boot the machine from the Windows 7 Install DVD...

Thanks guy's for the advice, I am just starting out so some things are new to me. This is what ive done so far

1. made a new Partition

2. set the pc to boot from the internal DVD drive

3. re booted my pc , and I get to the ... Where do you want to Install Windows?

and as you can by the shot ive taken the panel is blank.


Ia now having trouble in finding out how to check if my HDD is being detected in the BIOS , ive tried many combination's of start up key but so far I can't seem to find the right place to check if the HDD is being recognized by the BIOS

any advice would be appreciated


Thanks

I hate it when that happens..

Since your drive is SATA you may need to load the proper drivers for your device. Apparently Windows doesn't come with the driver.

What do you guys think?

Thanks , Ive just tried again to install it, and now when it gets to the ..

Where do you want to Install Windows?

Now at the bottom its showing a Yellow symbol and it say's this ..

No Drives were found. Click Load Driver to provide a mass storage Driver for installation

When I click '' Load Driver '' this is the message I now get ..


To Install the device driver needed to access your hard drive insert the installation media containing the driver files , and then click OK

Note .. The installation media can be a floppy disk . CD , DVD , or USB Flash drive


This computer I am using was given to me , and there were no Disks , so I am still not sure whatto do next ..?


Thanks

With some more information we can try to help.

DocBrown gave you a link with questions that will help us to understand things better.

Questions to use for help with Installation Issues

Please answer as many of the questions as you can.
This will help us to resolve your issues.

Your issue is complex without the HDD status in the BIOS. I would recommend you to disconnect and reconnect the cables of HDD from both ends. Also, to enter BIOS, try keys like F2, F12, Del, Home, Insert, etc.

Also, assuming that the HDD is detected in BIOS, this tutorial can definitely solve your problem, if followed correctly. Just replace Vista with windows 7 in the tutorial.
Solved Hard Drive - Unable to Select or Delete during Installation - Vista Forums