trying to dual boot with XP

Hi,
I have two 320GB internal hard drives. One has nothing on it, i cleared it (supposedly) to install XP in a dual boot config. I cannot get XP to install. I have run the WD tools and checked the drive, it is reportedly working fine. However, below is a screen shot from my windows 7 environment. Note the F drive partition says 298GB yet the Properties page shows 150 free and 170 Used but there are no other drive letters visible.

Tried disconnecting all drives and installing just the "F" drive (jumpered and cabled correctly to be C) and still could not do a clean install of XP on a system with no other hard drives.

I did install and then uninstall Windows XP mode (uninstalled Virtual machine too) could it be a hang over from that?

I'm stumped. Been out of the tech side of PC's for too long... Any and all help greatly appreciated.



Thanks

Try removing the partition altogether in Windows 7, and then creating a new partition during the installation of XP, with the Windows 7 and External drives disconnected.

EDIT: Remember that you will need the motherboard's SATA driver during the XP installation also.

First check for all the Win XP drivers for your hardware on the manufacturer's web site.
If your Win XP CD, does not support your Sata Controller, you will need to load drivers to uses at F6.
Load Sata Controller drivers with a floppy disk is the best way.
SATA Drivers - Load in Windows XP Setup on Dual Boot
OR
SATA Drivers - Slipstream into Windows XP CD

As mentioned you'll want to unplug other HD's during install, then after install boot via the BIOS as follows:

Set preferred HD as first to boot in BIOS setup: How to Boot your Computer

Then boot the other HD by tapping the key given on BIOS splash screen for one-time BIOS Boot Menu:
Asus - F8
HP/Compaq - Esc
Sony - F2
Acer - F12
Gateway - F10
eMachnes - F10
Toshiba - F12
Dell - F12
IBM/Lenovo - the blue Thinkvantage button

fafhrd said:

I have taken to getting rid of AHCI instead on ordinary business machines with legacy requirements for XP - Intel's Win7 chipset drivers for SATA seem to be buggy and resource hungry, and the roughly 10 -12% improvement in raw data transfer rates is barely noticeable with Windows anyway.

When everybody is on Win7-64 and SATA2 is the norm, it will be different.

I'd rather have a cool processor and slightly slower transfer rates than an overheating, unstable system, with short drive lifetimes.

True, but best to set BIOS to Default.

Scenario
1) Set BIOS from AHCI to IDE.
2) CMOS battery goes flat.
3) Replace battery.
4) BIOS will reset to AHCI.
5) Windows will not boot.