Toshiba a205 XP installation doesn't recognize the HD

Hi,

To install Windows 7 no need for RAID driver. If you face issues in installing Windows 7 disable RAID in BIOS, install Windows 7 and then install RAID driver.

How To Manually Upgrade from Vista to Windows 7 - Satellite A200/205:

http://cdgenp01.csd.toshiba.com/content/support/downloads/PSAF3U-PSAF6U-Win7UpgradeInstructions.pdf

Windows 7 Drivers page:

http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/support/jsp/modelContent.jsp?ct=DL&os=&category=&moid=2060003&rpn=PSAE3U&modelFilter=A205-S5880&selCategory=3&selFamily=1073768663

Hi,
If its XP your trying to install, XP does not recognize SATA drives on its own (probably why the install disk does not see the drive), you will need to install third party drivers on the F6 prompt it gives during setup.
You need to download "Matrix Storage Manager", and format a floppy disk for the drivers to go on so a USB floppy drive is needed for this case for the AHCI/RAID drivers unless you know how to integrate them into the install CD itself.
You can download Matrix Storage Manager from Intel here >>>>>>>>>>>





http://downloadcenter.intel.com/filter_results.aspx?strTypes=all&ProductID=2101&OSFullName=Windows*+XP+Professional&lang=eng&strOSs=44&submit=Go!





Make sure you read all the read me files pertaining to setting up the floppy disk for use with the F6 prompt as you will need to format the disk in the FAT file system.
Once you have the third party drivers installed the setup disk will recognize the SATA hard drive and allow you to install XP.
I would then recommend that you look into integrating the drivers into the install CD so you don't run into this problem again.

If you need anymore help or advice please post back.

Good luck.

This one should be right for you, remember to put it on a floppy, since XP needs a floppy for a 3rd party driver during install.. good luck!

http://download1.msi.com/files/downloads/dvr_exe/sis_sataraid_floppy_mb.zip

what about the cable connection is it one?

Problem : When Windows XP was made there was no concept of SATA drives now ur drive is SATA and ur installation disc does not contain drivers for ur Hard disk thats why it is unable to find ur hard disk as it doesnt recognize it u need sata raid drivers on ur windows inst cd

simple solution: get WINDOWS XP CD with SP3 it contains support for sata drives

Workable Solution:

this specific model of Toshiba was shipped with vista OS and drivers now u are downgrading it to XP it depends on the installation disc if it is new one like SP3 included then u would have never faced this issue in ur case u should get a RAID driver from www.intel.com and then include them in ur copy of windows XP cd to load them at the startup of installation , so u need them in the first place to carry out installation, u have to do some job here download RAID DRIVERS from www.intel.com select ur board and chipset either it is 945 or 965 gm and then download nlite a software used to integrate these drivers to ur inst disk , u can also include SP3 thru this software in ur current win xp cd

SATA DRIVER FROM:

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/license_agr.aspx?url=/17268/eng/iata87enu.exe&ProductID=2800&agr=Y&sType=&PrdMap=&DwnldId=17268&strOSs=45&OSFullName=Windows*%20XP%20Home%20Edition&lang=eng

http://www.nliteos.com/

just download sata drivers from intel and nlite from the link and install the software integrate these drivers and burn ur cd incl them and then install normally as u were installing them earlier now it will recognize ur drive simple for more info how to do check this out

http://www.zimbio.com/Laptop+Reviews/articles/10840/How+Integrate+Floppy+SATA+RAID+Driver+Windows

http://lifehacker.com/386526/slipstream-service-pack-3-into-your-windows-xp-installation-cd

after windows XP installation u will have one more task to find drivers for ur notebooks with XP support but it is the next step if ur some hardware like modem / sound/ doesnt work then i can help more

pls let me know if i can help u more
and rate me FIXYA if i have fixed ur problem

if ur WIN XP is Service Pack 3 then u will not have much problems in installing drivers it will come pre loaded but if not there is a solution , u can first make a list of component manufacturers like Board is from intel u will get the drivers any ways from Intel no prob

Sound = ?
VGA= ? is it intel or ATI or NVIDIA u will get it fromthe wesite dont worry just right down the model of ur vga
Modem = ?
LAN=
WIFI = normally intel dont worry u will get it from intel

if ur win xp doesnt come up with pre loaded drivers just install it and then download drivers from the brand names website

let me know if i can help

one more thing if u are going back from VISTA to XP u will find it sometimes difficult if u dont have WIN XP loaded with SP3 cd so if it does not recognize ur hard drive during inst and says that no drives found dont worry just check out the solution on this link below

http://www.zimbio.com/Laptop+Reviews/articles/10840/How+Integrate+Floppy+SATA+RAID+Driver+Windows

http://lifehacker.com/386526/slipstream-service-pack-3-into-your-windows-xp-installation-cd

pls let me know if i can help u more

copy & paste in your address bar:

http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/su/su_sc_modItemList.jsp?moid=1909174&rpn=PSAF3U&ct=DL&BV_SessionID=@@@@1043376847.1216644502@@@@&BV_EngineID=ccchadeejjelidhcgfkceghdgngdgmn.0

the only EASLY way is if you can download Vision Xp : HERE and Burn it ino cd and format pc with this OS.THis Os have all raid driver!

Best Regard's

Beni

find:
Intel Matrix Storage Manager-Floppy image and use nlite program

Did you run the RAID configuration utility?